I have been craving sweets, chocolate, (unhealthy) fats, and refined carbs like no other lately.
I first noticed this when my mileage got over 80 miles a week. I figured it was my body’s way of getting all the necessary calorie needs to sustain the high mileage—versus eating 5 pounds of vegetables and fruit. But I still thought it was odd since I had never had such a strong craving for this type of food before. But then I read in November’s issue of Runner’s World that there was a reason for these cravings.
I thought these cravings would subside after the marathon, but they have not. Is my body still trying to recover from those 100+ mile weeks of running and running the marathon itself? I don’t know. I tried to fight these cravings last week, but I finally just gave in this week.
These have become a couple of my new favorite foods.
I’ve had more servings of these items than I would like to admit, but it seemed it was exactly what my body needed?? It seems odd to say my body “needed” this unhealthy food, but I haven’t felt any negative effects, so hopefully it was okay for my body.
Has anyone else experienced intense cravings for sweet, dense, fatty foods?
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Workout
I am still laying off the running until my glute starts to feel better. I am especially concerned since it hurts even when I walk. 😕
So instead of running, I have been going to the gym and lifting weights. Good thing I enjoy lifting weights and it really boosts my metabolism.
I did about two-thirds of Jamie Eason’s Live Fit Trainer last winter and decided to pick it up again this fall.
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Isn’t the slow-cooker a wonderful invention?
I knew I was going to be home late one evening last week, so I threw together a slow-cooker soup that morning, and when Craig got home from work, dinner was waiting for him. 🙂
Taco Soup
(Based off this recipe.)
Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, with liquid
1 (15 ounce) can black beans with liquid
1 cup frozen corn
1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning mix (or 1 package taco seasoning mix)
Directions
1. Combine all ingredients in large slow-cooker.
2. Cook on low for 8 hours.
This was so delicious! It actually tasted more like chili since it was so thick and the seasonings reminded me of chili too. Either way it was great topped with cheese and scooped up with tortilla chips. I would definitely make this again.
I love that taco soup recipe, and any variety of chili this time of year.
i love how thick that soup is! must have been amazing.
We love thick soups too!
It’s odd what our bodies crave when we put it under some serious stress. When I was training for my first Ironman, I craved ice cream and I seriously ate 5 or 6 pints a week. And after every marathon or ultra, I, without fail, crave avocados and guac for first few days.
I have that same issue with food when our training ramps up. I eat a lot of nut butters so I don’t end up gorging on chocolate and cookies. I’m also big on avocado and olive oil. I also take fish oil, which seems to have helped my fat cravings for whatever reason. It’s making it easier to choose beans instead of cheese, or toast and peanut butter instead of a cookie.
It also gets better as your body adjusts to high training volumes, in my experience. At first, all I wanted to eat was fat. Now I’m craving carbs much more heavily.
Slow cooker IS the greatest invention ever. I’ve used it 4 times in the past 7 days.
Mmm taco soup!! I’ll have to try that (or veganize it.. for now)- sounds amazing! During weeks that I teach more than 10 classes, I find that my appetite is crazy! I’ve taught 8 classes in the last 5 days, and am doing everything in my power to not completely empty out my pantry and fridge into my mouth. Unfortunately for me- it doesn’t matter how much I work out. If I eat extra calories (even if I burn over 1000 in a day) it will result in weight gain. (Because life is fair like that)
Awww. . . I’m bummed you are still battling your weight gain–or not being able to lose weight. :/ I hope you are able to figure it out one day.
I tried the Live Fit trainer last winter and didnt finish. i want to start over again after my half marathon is complete! i miss having time to do weights honestly. this time around I think I’ll mix in a little running the first month instead of none at all.
Yeah, I could never do the ‘no cardio’ thing for a whole month. I never finished the Live Fit Trainer the first time I did it, and I don’t plan to complete the whole training plan this time either. I just like having a plan to follow for a while. 🙂
Taco Soup is one of my favorite things to make! We use mainly the same things, but we add mushrooms (love them) and black olives.
Although come to think of it, I don’t know that mushrooms make something taste more taco-ey. Haha…
I could definitely see adding black olives. . . and mushrooms sound good despite not being taco-y. 🙂