Listen, there’s only so much a person can write about running before getting hungry and wanting to talk about something else for a minute.
Hunger is part of the reason I started running. I was hungry for more. I wanted more of a challenge. More change. More stamina. MORE FOOD. I’ve had quite the appetite since I was a kid. I remember being at a fancy buffet and everyone stopped to stare at the young girl with the massive plate of food. Many a McDonald’s worker commented on my “healthy” appetite. I like eating. I like cooking. I like FOOD.
Food is fuel. When you’re running more, you’re most likely going to be eating more. Since I was a tween, I’ve been highly aware of the size of my body. Always wanting it to be “better”. I look back at pictures of me in my 20s when I was constantly complaining about my size and I’m like WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS I THINKING. I was perfect. That kind of negative self-talk is not unlearned overnight. Moving forward, I’m trying to speak about myself in a kinder, gentler way. I’m encouraging my friends to do the same. Constantly worrying about a few pounds is exhausting and I’m over it!
That’s where running has been super helpful. When I run I want to re-fuel my body with good food. On the days I work-out, I want to make healthier choices. I want to eat carbs and guess what? Carbs are not evil! When was the last time you ate a bagel and your arms fell off? NEVER! I’m getting off-track here…
What I’m trying to say is, stop worrying so much about diet (unless you’ve talked about it with your health care provider and it’s absolutely necessary) and start listening to your body. Your body will tell you what it wants. For me, food is one of my biggest motivators. For anything in life really, but especially for running.
Sometimes on my morning runs I’ll let my mind wander and just imagine what I’ll make for lunch. A big salad with marinated artichoke hearts, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes and avocado? A hearty bowl of veggie soup? Smoked salmon and cream cheese on a bagel? AN OMELETTE???? (see how excited I get?)
If you see running only as a way to lose weight then you’ve lost before you’ve begun. Nothing kills your motivation to run than thinking “when I’m done I can have some celery.” Treat yourself! I’m not saying to have a massive cheeseburger and bucket of gravy after every run, but make sure you’re genuinely enjoying what you eat.
Also, food is not “earned”. That’s not what I’m trying to say, in case anyone was confused. It’s not “well, I burned X amount of calories so I can have X amount of cheese.” You’re allowed to eat well on days you don’t exercise. That being said, I like to use food as a motivator because it genuinely makes me excited. I am a mule that needs a carrot on a stick dangling in front of me in order to move.
On the days you REALLY don’t feel like running, add a carrot to your stick. Yesterday I wasn’t feeling it but it was a beautiful sunny day and I had no excuse not to go out. I decided that if I went out I would treat myself to a fancy coffee and pastry. Guess what? I had a great run! AND I had a delicious oat milk latte and apple cinnamon scone. I count that as two wins for the day!
So wherever you are in your running/self love journey, remember to treat yourself. If running isn’t fun, then what’s the point? Life isn’t counting calories, stepping on scales and measuring yourself. Eat to run AND run to eat. It can be both.
But don’t be eating too much crazy stuff before you run because that’s how you get the runs. And not the good kind!
I’ve got the runs! (the good kind, for now…) Do you?
Julia
PS: For delicious recipes, check out my food blog!
I've Got The Runs 
I AM IN IT FOR THE TREATS!
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