Do You Eat More When You Don’t Run?

I do. Definitely.

Some eat more after a long run, or after a race, or after speedwork. Not me. I eat more when I’m not running at all. When I’m training properly, I feel healthier so I naturally lean towards better food choices.

When I can’t run, it seems like my hands are compelled to grab unto something, anything (e.g., Cheetos jalapeno flavor) to make up for the lack of movement in the legs. The hands and fingers then coordinate—as my feet and legs would do the same when I run—to plop that digestible form of matter unto my mouth for quick consumption.

What’s most worrisome is that, due to my sheer depression from the lack of runs, I don’t even notice the food sliding down my throat and building a home in the comfort of my own tummy. Usually, I’m watching a DVD, surfing the web, or dining with family when I suddenly have that overstuffed, bloated, I-want-to-vomit feeling and I think Uh oh, I’ve had more than enough again. Then, panic creeps in, with the next thought: Shoot, how will I burn this if I can’t run?

Needless to say, that is exactly what I was telling myself last night as I stood on the dreaded weighing scale: Shoot, how do I lose the weight I gained over the holidays? Why did I have to impose that 7-day running ban on myself? Maybe it’s time to break the ban?!!

Fortunately, I paid my favorite PT a visit at Moro Lorenzo this morning. (He’s my favorite because he’s the only guy who cured me of my shin splints and this he did literally overnight.) After teaching me new drills to strengthen my quads and pull my kneecap inward, and as he poked at my ITB with long, scary needles, he nonchalantly told me that I should just continue with my training. What? No need for my 7-day ban? It was music to my ears. Woohoo!

I tried my best to keep my composure, even under so much pain, but deep inside I was already thinking of where I should run next, with whom, and what healthy meal I should be having for dinner. Goodbye leftover Christmas treats. It’s time for some salad!

Posted on 01.06.09 to 06 Food & Nutrition. Tags: diet, Injury, Moro Lorenzo. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 12 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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12 Responses to “Do You Eat More When You Don’t Run?”

Take it easy Jaymie… I remember when I injured my hamstrings and had to stop running for 2months, I chose to eat more healthy foods –mostly fruits and vegetables, or else my 30lbs weightloss would be in vain. I think I lost 2lbs even without running.

However, when I stopped running for years, I really ate a lot, ate anything and drink a lot of beer. I had no motivation for losing weight. Now that I run, running is my only motivation for being thin. You’re obviously faster if you’re light.

i2runner said on Jan 06 09 at 8:03 PM Reply
By the way, I recommend you buy and eat mostly fruits if you crave sweets (like me). Then eat as much as you can. They’re so bulky, mostly fiber and water and very few calories. I know they’re expensive, but they’re cheaper than buying most “diet shakes” and “diet pills”. You’ll be too full to eat other unhealthy foods. Go for apples and mangoes, they’re mostly fiber and water, not much calories. You may get heavy right after eating them due to water, so just weigh yourself in the morning.

Thanks i2, yes we’re big on fruits at home. I like apples and banana. Love mangoes but I avoid eating a lot of them since they’re high in sugar.

i2runner said on Jan 06 09 at 8:09 PM Reply
Hi Jaymie, On my NO running days my best friend is my “CONDURA REFRIGERATOR”. I practically eat everything inside my ref. My favourite is chocolate, pizza, cake, KFC, ice cream, left over’s, etc. Etc. I love to eat. Pigging out “ once in a while is ok just don’t overdo it. In fact it motivates me to go for a longer run the next day. My philosophy is enjoy life and don’t worry too much cause tom is another day. With regards to your on and off injury you may want to refer to RW February 2009 issue, “Tape yourself” on page 44. It may help you. It did wonders for my Runners knee. Have fun !

Hi patrick, you’re making me hungry! I’m done with the bingeing. Time to eat properly.

As for kinesio taping, Dr. Canlas’ clinic taped me for my runner’s knee early January. Yes, it helped but there was nothing like strengthening exercises and rest to allow for full recovery. At this point, I put my trust more in needles than in tape…haha.

By the way, I like the Condura plug.

runningshield - patrick concepcion said on Jan 07 09 at 9:00 AM Reply
yahoo no more 7 day ban! takbo tayo sa alabang!

I failed to mention that the PT said no running on concrete. Fat-obnoxious-gay-guy, watcha say we run in BHS again?

hector said on Jan 07 09 at 10:44 AM Reply
Hi Jayme!
If you dont mind, what is the name of your PT in Moro Lorenzo?

RC

Aspi

RC Tulio said on Jan 07 09 at 1:21 PM Reply
Hi Jaymie,

i like the Cheetos jalapeno flavor too specially when i dip it to cheese whiz.

enjoy your runs.

Ooooh, let me try that. Thanks for the tip, rene! Wait…I have cheese dip in the ref and it’s jalapeno flavor. Perfect match. I’ll try that too. Don’t tell anyone that I started my diet a couple of days ago

rene said on Jan 07 09 at 1:46 PM Reply
hmmmm….needles….only a few of them do it and enjoy it in the clinic. They dint scare you that much right? =) time to get back on the road! =)

Not looking at those needles keeps me from freaking out. It’s worth all the pain.

moljcy said on Jan 07 09 at 2:51 PM Reply
mare, i do too. i do eat friggin more when i dont run! and i think we’d be going together in ML woohoo! namiss ko mg house visits lately, like this page!

Nice to know i’m not alone! Tara, let’s meet up soon for a pig out session…kidding

banggigay said on Jan 07 09 at 6:10 PM Reply
Hi Jaymie that was good news, at least now you can definitely run the Bull run on the 18th?

I’m still thinking! I was planning to. But running buddy Annie reminded me to choose my races properly. Argh…I know she’s right

sundaywarrior said on Jan 08 09 at 1:49 PM Reply
Pakilala mo naman ako dyan sa faavorite PT mo mare

May injury ka ba? Just call Moro and get an appointment. I repeat, kung may injury ka lang ha. Aspi said pala that you cannot go directly to him. You should go for a consult with Dr. Canlas first.

marga said on Jan 09 09 at 1:35 AM Reply
Haha, wala nang injury. Set up mo na lang kami. Single ba? HAHAHA. Early birthday gift mo na sakin mare. :p

Sorry di ko alam eh! All we talk about are needles and muscles

marga said on Jan 09 09 at 10:54 AM Reply
this seems like a super late reply, but i just wanted to share i just started running seriously about 2 and a half weeks ago, and i noticed my cravings have stopped. and after running, i hardly have appetite, so i’m eating less now. i’ve already lost 10 lbs. and it’s great i’ve been gulping down liters and liters of water, too hyponatremia naman wag naman sana hehe!

eiroomd said on May 28 09 at 9:07 AM Reply