Back when I was in bike racing shape I never dieted. Instead of dieting, I was super conscious about keeping track of what I put into my body for meals and snacks. Just the act of keeping track made me make better decisions about food and drinks.
The Challenge
This week’s challenge is to start keeping track of what we’re eating and drinking. I’m intentionally not saying “go on a diet.” Instead, try just keeping track of food and beverage consumption.
To keep track of what I’m consuming, I’m using an app called My Fitness Pal. A bunch of people have recommended it to me over the last few months. I tested My Fitness Pal and like how easy it is to look up foods and log them into my account. It will tell you the calorie count of each food. Again, I’m not concerned about the calories as much as I am the act of logging the food to create a consciousness about food choices. If you don’t want to use an app to track food consumption, a simple Google Sheet or Excel sheet is sufficient.
On a related note, here’s a video from Global Cycling Network about the top foods for cyclists to eat. It should be noted that much of it could apply to runners too.
Requisite disclaimer: I’m not a medical or fitness professional. Please consult your physician before beginning any new diet or exercise regimen.