Metabolic Efficiency Training – Part 2

I had my athlete email me on how her first week went with metabolic efficiency training. In order to train her body to be more efficient burning fat as fuel we are

• keeping her workouts aerobic
• trying to eat only fruit, veggies, lean meats and healthy fats

Here’s what she wrote on her week:

Hey Coach,

I had to laugh when I read the blog about my cereal addiction b/c it’s SO true! BUT, I can proudly say that I have gone 7 days without any bowls of cereal and 11 without any oatmeal. Last week I had only two bowls of cereal and it was more of a “late night too lazy to cook/stress/comfort food” kind of thing for dinner. But this week I haven’t had any grains except the few oats that are in a small homemade protein chunk that I eat each morning with my banana before I work out. Today, 2-11-10, was the first time I truly felt a craving for cereal and it was this morning after my workout, which wasn’t anything too intense, but the thought definitely crossed my mind.

I am also proud to say that I successfully passed eating homemade cinnamon crunch cake or veggie/cheese dip with Triscuits that was in our staff lounge and EVERYONE was raving about at lunch. The sweet bread, especially something with cinnamon, is my downfall, so this was a huge accomplishment for me:)

The last 2 Sundays I have prepared my breakfast smoothies and lunch food for the week ahead of time so it’s portioned out AND easy to grab when I’m running late for work (on “Shannon Time” really). This has helped out a lot! But it also means I tend to eat the same “nutrition plan” for the whole week. My favorite this week was the cottage cheese with walnuts, cinnamon and agave nectar, like you suggested. I also really liked the seafood salad I made to eat on my lettuce salad for lunch. I used plain ff yogurt, ff sour cream, tuna, crab, red grapes, walnuts and craisins, with some dressing, mustard and pepper to season it.

There have been days when my hunger is satisfied between each time I eat, and others when I felt hungry and look forward to eating. BUT, I have made it just fine to each next “meal.” I can say that I can’t imagine not having the AM and PM snacks though, b/c i am always hungry when that time rolls around.

I have always been a breakfast person, so to no surprise, I felt myself “bonk” Tuesday morning when I didn’t get a chance to have my smoothie until an hour later then usual. Something else I’ve noticed that may or may not be related to the diet, but I have a difficult time warming up in the morning. I spent the last two early morning meetings bundled in my coat b/c I am so cold and miserable, while everyone else seems to be just fine.

As for the workouts, they fit real well into my hectic schedule this time of year, so the “easy” is great. I do look forward to warmer weather and longer days so I’m more inclined to workout after work if the opportunity or need arises. Right now, I’m exhausted when I get home from so many meetings and that’s the last thing I want to do. I do think about more strength training though b/c I want to look toned.

As for weight, I will weigh myself once a week, most likely on Fridays, but I can already feel myself losing “belly fat” b/c some snug pants fit again!

So far, so good. It really hasn’t been too difficult b/c I already ate so much fruit. Now my focus is how to get more veggies! I am still writing down everything I eat and this has helped a lot too to monitor the snacks I want to eat. I started writing the times I eat each meal: to see if any trends emerge from that info.

So far it seems as if we’re succussful with the adaptation! I’m also proud she’s gone so long without eating cereal and only craved it once! Come back next week to see how week #2 went!