Changing Up the Routine

So, over the past few months, I have felt like my body has stopped responding the way it has in the past to my daily 6-mile runs and mostly healthy eating {with the exception of that killer sweet tooth}.  I think it's time to trick my body, whether it's by doing more intervals at the gym {which will not only fool my metabolism but will also make me a better runner}, lifting more weights {the worst, but a necessary evil}, and trying desperately to cut down on my sugar intake.

I have been gradually adding intervals in to my workout over the past month or so, and let me tell you, those workouts are exhausting! I did a 6-mile interval run this morning where I kicked up the pace every mile for 1/4-mile, and it felt REALLY good.  Next, I know I need to start adding in more cross-training, both to avoid all of my pesky running injuries and, again, trick my body, while also adding strength.  I have been pinning easy at-home workouts on Pinterest, so now it's about consolidating all of them.  I'm thinking that, on my off-days from running {maybe 2x/week?}, I would like to do some combination of: rowing {well, using the erg in our gym}, sprints outside, spin bike, and lifting with light free weights.  Hopefully, this change in routine will be something that my body responds to.

On the food side, I have decided {so now you all have to hold me to this} to give up sweets after Valentine's Day and until the end of Lent, so we're talking slightly more than two months without the hard stuff.  I think this will be a necessary way to cleanse my body, especially as I'm heading into a race season.  Another goal of mine has been to take my time when I eat.  I know that I will get full faster if I take my time and chew my food, perhaps pausing for a few more sips of water throughout the meal.  It isn't a race to see who can finish!  Lastly, I noticed a few weeks ago that my fridge was depressingly devoid of fruits and veggies for snacking {which only makes me reach for baked goods more when I want a snack}.  I have been stocking up on those things so that, when I am snacking during the day, it's at least healthy snacking.

I was also just reading a great Cup of Jo post where she linked a Michael Pollan video.  He is essentially arguing that you can eat the things you like, as long as they're homemade, rather than made by a corporation.  I would love to hear what all of you think about that statement, because I'm on the fence about it.  On the one hand, I absolutely agree that it is better to eat home-cooked food than restaurant- or corporation-processed foods, but, as my baking habit proves, I am still getting the bad stuff, even though I am making it myself {however much I do sub in better-for-me ingredients}.

We'll see how this little experiment goes! I promise to post about the weekend soon!