Friday Tri: What Satisfies

When I was in high school, I decided I was never going to go on a diet. Because, mostly, I hate being hungry. Apparently, I hate it a lot more than other people do. Seriously, I cannot stand to be hungry. And when you are in high school, you think you will never have to diet like other people do because you are you and they aren't.

Well, 40 has been interesting. My metabolism has gone way down. This has actually been a relief to me, surprisingly enough. I don't have to eat breakfast at the break of dawn anymore or face the fear of fainting. A friend of mine asked me recently if I had to worry about getting in enough calories while I was training for my 50 mile race. This is the first year that I have honestly been able to say no. It wasn't a big deal. I ate a little more, but not a lot more.

I have tried to lose some weight this year. Nonetheless, I still try to follow the rule of not being hungry. I am convinced that allowing yourself to get really hungry triggers an uncontrollable need to eat calorie dense foods immediately and in a quantity that is unreasonable. The solution in my book has been to eat small meals. I eat 2 lunches every day (about 300 calories each) and 2 snacks (about 200 calories). I also eat dessert almost every night after dinner, to the tune of about 150 calories.

I also count calories in a computer program myfitnesspals that is available for free on my iphone. I mostly do this because it has been a really useful way for me to figure out whether I want to eat something that costs that much, in terms of my daily calorie needs. Some things I do want that much. I have a small 100 Grand bar almost every day. It's cheap, but I like chocolate and caramel and it gives me the feeling that I am rewarding myself, not starving myself. Things like cheesecake, often 1000 calories a slice, it turns out aren't actually worth it.

My vegan diet is mostly about eating food that is high in fiber and nutrition, but I also think it has taught me about what kinds of foods satisfy me. Nuts, for example, are super high in calories, but they stop cravings. A handful of about 10 almonds is 100 calories and with a piece of fruit, makes a great snack. Whole wheat bread and oatmeal also satisfy me better than sugary cold cereal and white bread. To me, eating healthy isn't about depriving myself of what I want, it's about eating stuff that will actually make me feel good after they are in my stomach. It's about feeling satisfied.

Being satisfied is such a hard thing to get a handle on. I think it's about more than food. I have been surprised to discover other things that satisfy me. Taking my two oldest daughters to London this year has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. I think about it all the time, and we talk about it a lot. I have never thought of myself as much of a traveler. I don't think I would have cared about traveling except that it was with my daughters.

Other things that satisfy me: my P2 Cervelo bike. I get happy every time I look at it. I bought it feeling guilty for spending so much money on a bike, but I love it. It feels like an extension of myself when I ride on it.I have a couple of pieces of clothing that satisfy me, as well, wool skirts and a couple of really nice jackets that I also felt guilty buying because I spent a lot on them. A new pair of triathlon specific running shoes.

What satisfies me is going to be completely different in lots of ways from what satisfies you, but it's useful figuring out what it is and going after it. The "good life" isn't going to drop in on you. You actually have to go out and get it.