PREPARING
FOR THE BIG ONE
PREPARING
FOR THE BIG ONEThere's a circle around December 8 on my calendar. The San Diego Marathon is coming up again and preparation is under way. To be realistic, marathons are not my forte. But they are such interesting experiences, such awesome undertakings. Even most seasoned runners would not enter a marathon without serious contemplation and preparation. Maybe that's why we do them. Marathons are a sophisticated way of snubbing the remainder of society.
So, it's time to get back in shape and the first step is to lose some weight. The doctor says my weight is ideal for my height and age, but what dedicated runner would listen to that kind of drivel? When runners look in the mirror, they see fat and know that getting rid of the excess baggage will improve their times. Have you ever known a runner who thought he (or she) was too lean? Besides, several non-running friends remarked that I was looking so much better, a sure sign of being too heavy.
Liposuction was briefly considered, but I just can't bear to be worked on. Then there's the cost, not to mention a period of recovery when running would be excluded. No, the only way to lose weight is the old-fashioned way through diet and exercise.
If you think going on a diet means not eating enough and going hungry, well think again. To me, a diet means concentrating on the quality of the intake with particular attention devoted to the fat content of foods. If the percentage of calories represented by fats is held to around 10 percent or so of the total caloric intake, my weight will slowly drop even though the amount of eating goes up.
With an increase in exercise level, such as with marathon training, weight will drop faster. It's all very simple. What's difficult is developing an extensive knowledge of the fat content of foods and careful concentration on the nutrient content of all meals.
The fat content of the typical American diet (over 40 percent of the total calories) is really astonishing. Even people who are trying to cut down on fats routinely eat meals which exceed 30 percent. Getting the content to about 10 percent requires extreme care and careful reading of all labels. Eating with friends is difficult. Almost all restaurant food is a disaster. Getting the right nutritional mix while traveling is practically impossible without carrying your own food. But it can be done. Information and devotion to details are the keys.
The process of getting the fat out involves giving up a host of cherished food items. But at the same time a wide variety of low-fat and non-fat items are added. The resulting nutritional mix is very low in fat, modest in protein and very high in complex carbohydrates and fiber. Such a food intake tends to produce (for me) a very positive mental state and abundant energy.
You are what you eat. Of course! How could it be any other way? With a good working knowledge of nutrition and a lot of self discipline, you can be at least partially in control of what you are, how you feel and how you function.
Here's a little education game you can play which utilizes your nutritional knowledge. While you're standing in line at the supermarket, look over the foods which the person in front of you has spread out over the counter. Estimate the percent of fat calories in each item and then make a rough guess of the percent of fat calories in this person's diet. Next, look at the person. Estimate the body fat content. Do this on a number of occasions so as to allow for the metabolic differences of individuals. The results are very revealing.
In any case, the diet is now three months along and my weight is down seven pounds. Non-running friends have stopped saying I'm looking better. Running seems easier and the mileage has gradually increased. Competitors have noticed the improving times. Getting ready for a marathon is a rewarding experience in itself!
October 1991
Next
article.Contents
Page.