I ate what?

I have never really thought too much about this because I have always been "thin." However, I have also ignored my family history of high cholesterol and triglycerides. "Someday I will take care of that" I always would say. But the birth of my son has changed my whole way of thinking. I need to get all of my ducks in a row now. I want to live a long and healthy life, be more financially responsible, and most of all set a great example for him to follow.
So both my wife and I have decided for our own reasons to change our eating habits. Maybe its the subliminal effects of the Biggest Loser, but in any case, we feel inspired to eat healthier. We are going to try and develop a realistic eating plan and stick too it. The idea is to eat healthy meals and snacks the vast majority of the week and allow ourselves two cheat meals, two cheat snacks, and two cheat sodas a week.

My goal is to maintain my weight (right now I am 5'8" and 148bs), but to lower my bad cholesterol and my triglycerides. I also hope that by eating better it will give my body better fuel to burn during the run.

Here is how day one went...

1 1/4 cup rice krispies with skim milk- 200 calories
1 banana- 105 calories
1 apple- 65 calories
1 1/4 cup rice krispies with skim milk- 200 calories
1 low sugar granola bar- 80 calories
1 handful M&Ms- 103 calories
1 ham sandwich with white wheat bread and American cheese- 300 calories
8 whole wheat crackers-  140 calories
Dinner of 4oz pork chop (cooked in 1oz olive oil), 3 pilsbury crescent roles,  1/2 cup quarterd red potatoes, 1 cup mixed vegetables- 750 calories
1 glass Gatorade 240 calories

So that adds up to about 2,190 calories for the day.  According to about.com calorie counter I would need around 2,300 calories without exercise to maintain my current weight without exercise. And if I exercise between 30-60 minutes a day I would need between 2,500 and 2,800 calories to maintain my current weight. I figure if I run 25-50 miles a week during training then I should average out to the 30-60 minutes a day and have little problem staying under the 2,800 calories I need.

So, what does all of this mean? 1. That if I can stick to this plan (with my cheats) I should do ok with weight 2. I need to get back to the doc to get my cholesterol and triglycerides checked. 3. Writing down what you eat really makes me think about what I am eating and what healthy really means.

More posts on diet and nutrition are sure to follow as this will be a new priority in my life.

No its off to call my doctor and get those levels checked! Do you know your levels?