I am in the process of writing part 2 of Corey's story, but it's suprisingly hard. Usually I sit down at the keyboard and stuff just tumbles out of my brain and on to the page but it's different with this because I want to do his words justice. I want to relay things precisely, in a way that adequately captures the roller coaster of a journey he's been on, and how that all fits into where he is today. It's an amazing story and I'm freezing a bit, worried I won't do him justice. So thank you for bearing with me.
Anyway, we've had a few emails from readers interested in learning more about what we're eating. So in the interim, while I pound out Part 2 of Corey's story, here is a more benign subject: a fairly typical daily schedule for us.
8 AM
Coffee with low fat vanilla soy milk and Splenda (if made at home) or Americano Misto (non fat) with Splenda and a Pumpkin Spice Latte (non fat) if we make the jaunt to Starbucks.
10 AM
Omelette with 2 whole eggs and 4 egg whites with mushrooms, green peppers, banana peppers and fresh salsa. We use a lot of hot sauce, too (serves 2)
10:30 AM
Amino acids or protein shake. We're currently using Extend, which seems to provide energy for our intense workouts and long runs (though I haven't totally determined if it's placebo or for real.) I don't love the taste but we've only tried the Watermelon flavour.
11:00 AM
Crossfit workout, varies day to day. Always intense. We currently go 3 days a week and run or go to the gym on 3 of the other days, working out usually 6 days a week. When our Crossfit orientation session ends, we'll likely do Crossfit 5 days a week and then do a long run/gym combo on the other day.
1 PM
BBQ boneless, skinless, organic and free range chicken breast with Greek Salad (tomatoes, cukes, green pepper, feta...sometimes avocado) and balsamic vinagrette.
2:30 PM
Snack - normally a piece of fruit or 1/2 cup plain yogurt with Splenda and cranberries for me (Corey is avoiding all dairy, with the exception of occasional cheese)
6:00 PM
Halibut in lemon and garlic and a mixed salad with mixed baby greens, sliced almonds, grapes, cranberries, and goat cheese. Low fat poppyseed dressing.
8:00 PM
Protein shake. Right now we're using ISO Sensation (cookies and cream). For a satisfying nighttime snack, we usually blend with banana, chocolate almond milk, and a dollop of almond or peanut butter. Mixed frozen fruit and soy milk works well, too. I am still on the fence on whether or not protein shakes really do anything for me, but Corey was once told by a personal trainer that a workout is "wasted" without protein and it seems to be working for him so...I'm going with it.
We have shifted recently from a Body For Life diet which advocates 6 small meals per day blending protein and carbs to a Paleo-style diet which focuses on meat and fresh produce. I was getting pretty tired of cottage cheese. So far so good on the Paleo diet, I feel leaner and tighter, but that could also be Crossfit.
We normally have one day a week where we cheat a bit, or a lot. This week, we had frends over for dinner and my brother made giant burgers. His girlfriend made hand-dipped chocolate truffles. There was cheese, crackers, and a lot of furious inhalation. We can't be disciplined all the time, and life's too short to always forego the decadent stuff.
The most important thing I've learned in shifting my diet over the last ten months from a lot of bread and processed foods to a much more plant-based and sugar-free diet is that I was eating way too much before. I am comfortable after meals now, never uncomfortably full, and it's made me a lot less sluggish. And my body is a lot more toned and strong than it's ever been -- which provides me with more motivation to keep cognisant of everything I'm putting in my body.
I'm continuing to learn as I go, and enjoying the journey every step of the way.
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