New Meal Plan Making Me Nuts!!!

brnsgr1981
brnsgr1981 Posts: 12 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey Guys,

In preparation for the Chicago Marathon next week, I decided to give myself a strict meal plan while I get down to the last 6 weeks of training. I am a personal chef and do this for clients anyhow, so I figured I would do one for myself. What I am noticing is how much my body is adjusting to it. I am moody and irritated, not because I am hungry, because I eat A LOT because I burn A LOT. My systems are off, I'm just feeling like this isn't a good idea anymore. It's so much harder to evaluate yourself in place of your clients. Am I still adjusting to all this? Is this normal?

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    strict in what way?

    personally i wouldn't be changing anything so close to a marathon.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    I don't think anyone can say what's going on without having an idea of what is in your meal plan. There are a lot of distance runners here, maybe post your meal plan and they can give you some ideas of what they do in the weeks leading up to the race?
  • daniip_la
    daniip_la Posts: 678 Member
    Is there a reason you got strict on yourself to the point that it's making you irritable? Was your former way of eating not working for you?

    I agree that it probably isn't a good idea to do this so close to a marathon.
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    I'm guessing you meant the Marathon is next month? As in 6 weeks away? What changes did you make and how long ago?

    I agree with not changing too much 6 weeks out from a big race. What is your goal by switching it up? To drop pounds? Probably not a good idea unless you are very overweight. To increase energy or feelings? Then I would not reduce the amount of food you eat, but rather clean up your diet and cut out any sugary packaged processed crap you may be eating. Yes, this does cause for a bit of an adjustment and your body won't be happy. But in a week it will adjust and you'll probably be better off if you stick to it leading up to the race.

    I am curious about the changes you made, and why you don't eat like you make your clients eat, or at least haven't experienced your own advice before?
  • brnsgr1981
    brnsgr1981 Posts: 12 Member
    I didn't make huge changes, just adjusted my protein and carb levels. I actually was told by my trainer that I needed to make some adjustments in regards to my calorie intake. I've been at this meal plan for 4 weeks, so 10 weeks before is an acceptable time frame, I just didn't think I would still be so off from it. CRAP! I realized I said next week, I meant next month is the marathon! I would never change my meal plan a week out!! SORRY!!! No wonder you gusy are like WTH???!!
  • brnsgr1981
    brnsgr1981 Posts: 12 Member
    I eat well, but I'm also a chef, not a nutritionist. I have nutrition clients, but I also run a kitchen in Chicago and even though I work out like a fiend, I am not always able to control what I eat. I don't eat crap, but 14 hours in the kitchen is what it is and you eat what you can get your hands on.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    brnsgr1981 wrote: »
    I didn't make huge changes, just adjusted my protein and carb levels. I actually was told by my trainer that I needed to make some adjustments in regards to my calorie intake. I've been at this meal plan for 4 weeks, so 10 weeks before is an acceptable time frame, I just didn't think I would still be so off from it. CRAP! I realized I said next week, I meant next month is the marathon! I would never change my meal plan a week out!! SORRY!!! No wonder you gusy are like WTH???!!

    adjusted how....?
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Are you missing your extra carbs or your extra protein? Or is thinking about your food making you irritable?
  • brnsgr1981
    brnsgr1981 Posts: 12 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    brnsgr1981 wrote: »
    I didn't make huge changes, just adjusted my protein and carb levels. I actually was told by my trainer that I needed to make some adjustments in regards to my calorie intake. I've been at this meal plan for 4 weeks, so 10 weeks before is an acceptable time frame, I just didn't think I would still be so off from it. CRAP! I realized I said next week, I meant next month is the marathon! I would never change my meal plan a week out!! SORRY!!! No wonder you gusy are like WTH???!!

    adjusted how....?

    I increased protein over carbs, about 40-60 is the ratio, depends on the day and when my runs are. I know the increase in protein in dehydrating me more than usual, then of course the balance of water intake. I'm just trying to get used to what changes my body is feeling especially since I am getting into longer distances. I am strength training and swimming on non run days. I think some of this is mental and I'm putting a lot on myself. Too many changes at once, maybe?
  • brnsgr1981
    brnsgr1981 Posts: 12 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    Are you missing your extra carbs or your extra protein? Or is thinking about your food making you irritable?

    I think the carbs as I reduced them a bit and increased my protein. I think there is definitely a mental battle going on.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    brnsgr1981 wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    brnsgr1981 wrote: »
    I didn't make huge changes, just adjusted my protein and carb levels. I actually was told by my trainer that I needed to make some adjustments in regards to my calorie intake. I've been at this meal plan for 4 weeks, so 10 weeks before is an acceptable time frame, I just didn't think I would still be so off from it. CRAP! I realized I said next week, I meant next month is the marathon! I would never change my meal plan a week out!! SORRY!!! No wonder you gusy are like WTH???!!

    adjusted how....?

    I increased protein over carbs, about 40-60 is the ratio, depends on the day and when my runs are. I know the increase in protein in dehydrating me more than usual, then of course the balance of water intake. I'm just trying to get used to what changes my body is feeling especially since I am getting into longer distances. I am strength training and swimming on non run days. I think some of this is mental and I'm putting a lot on myself. Too many changes at once, maybe?

    you're only just getting to longer distances 6 weeks from your marathon?
  • brnsgr1981
    brnsgr1981 Posts: 12 Member
    Yes, I was injured in June and couldn't run until August.
  • brnsgr1981
    brnsgr1981 Posts: 12 Member
    Im at 18 miles
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited September 2016
    Maybe you are anxious before the big run, and you are doing a lot. But are you feeding yourself properly? Hard to tell for outsiders withot any real facts. How many calories are you taking in, and how are those calories divided between fat, carbs and protein?
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    edited September 2016
    18 miles is excellent. I doubt that extra calories are going to hurt you. Carry some gummies on your run in case you suddenly run out of gas. You couldn't separate me from my carbs.

    [Edited to add: I treat protein goals as a minimum target and carbs as being fill-ins. Since your goal is energy and strength, not weight loss, I say fill in with carbs as needed, as long as your protein goal is achieved. ]
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    Not an extreme athlete here.. but if you feel like crap. stop what you're doing. listen to your body. You already know the answer to your question.. just eat healthy like you used to….also... Don't you need carbs to burn on a long run? Again..not an expert here.. but i do know that runners carb load before a race.
  • Kait_Dee
    Kait_Dee Posts: 176 Member
    I'm a competitive bodybuilder - so while not an endurance athlete, I'm on a very controlled and managed nutrition plan with a university educated nutritional coach.

    I find that the adjustments to my plans (can happen anywhere from once a month to once a week to meet goals), often take me a few days to adjust to - especially when it comes to performance on the platform. (I despise seeing my heavy numbers erode throughout the process, but that just is what it is). I find the hardest ones to adjust to are carb reductions because I rely so much on them to move the big numbers. You're likely just going through the paces of change -- I'm sure after a few days/a week into the program you'll start to feel better.

    Try to get some extra sleep and meal space/volume load when it makes the most sense. I find that adjusting my approach in this way really helps me adapt a lot faster.

    Good luck on your marathon..!

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