In the mean time, I'm in the first phase of my training schedule - Base Building.
I was on a 2 month hiatus after completing my 1/2 Ironman-distance Triathlon last year. Eating whatever I wanted, enjoying down-time with friends and family that gets cut down to a premium during regular Season, and generally veggitating :-) It was a lot of fun, but my feet are itchy to get back on the track. So I'm back to the gym 3 times a week. I'm doing a really simply A-B-A (B-A-B) weight training set to work the major muscle groups, with Ab sets everyday to strengthen my core. And one of those days is also a long cardio workout - alternating between a long run, bike ride, or some time in the pool, depending on whatever I feel like that day. The weight training is something that I admit I generally ignore during regular training, and my goal is to use this time to do some serious muscle building and create the Habit. Then shift the habit from strenuous weights to flexibility cross-training later in the season when my mileage starts to go up.
Also big for me this year, is that after years of manageable but persistent GI distress, my Husband and I have agreed to start stripping things out of our diet until we find the culprit. My suspicion is it's a dairy thing, but for starters we're taking out Gluten. Mostly because I already have some experience in how to cook Gluten Free so it's the least dramatic change for the household when I can make GF versions of all our favorites and not shock the taste buds with too many "weird" foods too fast. Today marks half-way through week #2. We'll go for a full 21 days (the typical minimum to REALLY cleanse that food out of your system), and while we're doing that, I'm slowly phasing out the Dairy products and bringing in alternatives to test and try while we get ready to make the jump to DF.
The crux of this whole endeavor is that while I would make a reasonable vegetarian myself, my Husband isn't too keen on fruits and veggies. Thank Goodness he's willing to try new things! But he was a very picky eater as a child, and didn't branch out much as a young adult. Last night was a huge CROCKPOT WIN! I tried a new recipe that had a lot of veggies in it, and not only did Husband eat it, he Really liked it, proclaiming it part of the Top Ten recipes I've ever made for him and he would like to see it regularly.
Here's the recipe "Big Easy Soup" - from The "GlutenFreeGoddess" who's Blog and recipe stash has been a life saver as I learn about this new way of eating!
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2006/10/big-easy-soup.html
(I skipped the Sour Cream, but the fresh Cilantro on top was Fantastic!)
