Challenge...or Triumph? - Nutrition

When I first started this endurance journey back in 2007, I never really understood the importance of nutrition.  I would stay hydrated, follow any training nutrition advice that I read in magazines like Runner's World and Triathlete, carb load before half marathons and have a couple of gels at races, have no idea what to do for triathlons as times, then add in my own bad choices here and there, and voila!  Nutrition plan...or something like that!  :)

Let's just say I wasn't properly educated.  When I first started training with Coach Frank almost two years ago, it was a swim focus with my plans, then we started incorporating CrossFit endurance...and finally, the (dreaded) nutrition talk came.  He mentioned paleo and gluten-free eating, so I started to clean up what I thought was a decent nutrition situation; it was challenging at first to meal plan (as if I wasn't busy enough already - something ELSE to think about).  Slowly, I began to feel better after meals, and my skin was also looking more clear.  I would look at photos from my first year or so racing when I thought I was "in shape" - and I was definitely not!  It's amazing what we think we know until we connect with the right people to point us in the right direction.

Now enter Brooke Schohl, dietitian and owner of Destination Kona Triathlon Store.  I decided with two 70.3s on the docket for the year that it would be a great idea to schedule sessions with her to make sure I am set.  I have to admit, I was a tad nervous about tracking myself for three days on myfitnesspal.com.  I would even have to admit to that one Dr. Pepper I drank!  :)

After our first session today, I was SO very glad for a few reasons.  First, Coach Frank DEFINITELY changed my nutrition for the better and so discussing myfitnesspal results wasn't the end of the world.  Second, Brooke is a wealth of knowledge and I am grateful to have the chance to work with her; today, we discussed the importance of the diet and metabolic efficiency.  And third, I have come a LONG way, which wouldn't have been possible if I wasn't redirected in the first place.  In the beginning (back to when I thought I was doing fantastic as an athlete), I was 141 pounds and was at 23% body fat.  Now I am at 131 pounds and 16% body fat; I hadn't weighed in forever, but should have known from the recent shopping trip due to a drop in almost three pant sizes that transformation was happening.  I couldn't be more proud of that progress.  Triumph!!  :)

So what is there to be learned from this?  Be smart.  Don't assume you know what you should be doing with your nutrition.  We are all individuals.  Find  professionals to help you!  You can make healthy changes and stick to your plan!  :)