What do YOU want?

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Run for food?

Hi guys and girls. In this little post I am going to provide you all with my latest weekly menu and a new training schedule for this week.

Foodstuff:

Monday there will be porkchops with tomatoes, egg-plant and red onions. Yummy. Tuesday chickenbreast with cherry tomatoes, chicory and guacamole. Wednesday Seabass with spring onions, cherry tomatoes (yes I love them and they are freaking good) and corn. Thursday scrambled eggs with Japanese mushrooms (shitaki), sweet paprika and white onions. Friday it will be Nile perch with white cabbage, apple, raisins and nuts. Saturday my usual Greek salad with cuttlefish and big big big huge olives. Yummy again. And sunday it will be turkey time with a fresh salad on the side and a tiny bit of olive baked potatoes and rosemary. Sounds deli, doesn’t it!

More running you say?

It seems that this weeks training is going to take us to a brand new level. Nike describes this as being the week we really build endurance. What the hell have we been doing the last couple of weeks? 

monday May 30th: 6.44km/4mi: 4.83km/3mi easy pace - 1.61km/1mi fast pace

tuesday May 31st: 9.66km/6mi: 3.22km/2mi easy pace - 4.83km/3mi increasing pace - 1.61km/1mi cooldown

wednesday June 1st: 4.83km/3mi: easy pace

thursday June 2nd: rest

friday June 3rd: 4.83km/3mi: 3.22km/2mi easy pace - 1.61km/1mi fast pace

saturday June 4th: 12.88km/8mi: easy pace

sunday June 5th: rest

Hell, it does seem to be a hard one. But hey, as long as I don’t have to run uphill like it was in Rhodes, I don’t worry to much. 

Let’s see how we finish this week. Thanks for reading, and hope to see you all in the next post. Bye bye.

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How much you say?

Hi guys and girls. Once again I am going to sum my progress up. 

If you remember correctly I finished week two with losing 2.6kg or 5.73lb. Going from 88.1kg or 194.23 to 85.5kg or 188.50lb. I was so happy!!!!!

Now, the most of week three and the entire fourth week were spent in Rhodes, Greece as a holiday. But as you can read in the earlier post I kept my program up to date. And the result was staggering.

So week three and four. Starting weight 85.5kg or 188.50lb. Ending it with 83.2kg or 183.42lb. Woow, isn’t that super? Owkay, it were two weeks. But it is obvious that you can’t keep losing weight at lightspeed so I am truly happy with the result.

In only four weeks I went from 90.5kg or 199.52lb to 83.2kg or 183.42lb. A total of 7.3kg or 16.09lb. Hell yeah... 

Let’s keep this up! And I hope you are having the same results as I do. If not, don’t worry!!! Every body reacts differently so maybe your metabolism is a little slower than mine. Or the opposite can happen as well. So maybe you lost more than me. Anyway, try to keep the motivation high. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you all in the next post.

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Guess who’s back!!!

Hi guys and girls. I’m back. Back from Rhodes, Greece where it has been an incredible twelve days. A lot of sun and nice trips.

But this blog isn’t about the citytrips or touristic ventures we made. No. It’s about my twelve week challenge not to drink, to train for half a marathon and to maintain a healthy food pattern.

Now, about this food pattern. It was hard to keep it up in Rhodes. Not because of all the temptations, no, because of the crap they offer at these resorts. I will correct. It is not crap, it is good food. But for people like us who wish to eat healthy food it is hard to get it. They seem to rinse EVERYTHING in gallons of olive oil. And poor shitloads of gravy on top of meat and fish. I had to scout for clean meat every day. So to the hardcore followers I must appologize. I could maintain my diet for only 75%. Which isn’t that bad since it was really, really, really, really hard to filter the good stuff from the “touristic” stuff.

The alcohol part was easy. It was an all-inclusive resort holiday. So if I wanted I could have drunk cocktails, beers and wine from 10am till 12pm. Didn’t. So damned proud of myself. I must admit that I occasionaly missed a good glass of red wine with my diner. But hey. I’m only human.

The training went well. It was hard. Not to motivate myself, but just to run. Steep hills and hard winds made it all heavy. Here, as well, I endured. At the end, my legs were tired (very tired) but felt stengthened. Job well done.

So for those who run along I’ll now give you my distances and times. Keep in mind that on most of my runs I had an elevation of over 100m/320ft. 

wednesday May 18th and thursday May 19th: rest

friday May 20th: 4.8km/3mi: 3.2km/2mi easy pace - 1.6km/1mi fast pace: 27min 24sec.

saturday May 21st: 9.66km/6mi: easy pace: 57min 33sec

sunday May 22nd: rest

monday May 23rd: 4.8km/3mi: 3.2km/2mi easy pace - 1.6km/1mi fast pace: 27min 24sec

tuesday May 24th: 6km/3.73mi: 1.6km/1mi warm up - 2.8km/1.73mi interval (1.2km/0.75mi fast - 0.4km/0.25mi slow - 1.2km/.75mi fast) - 1.6km/1mi cooldown: 34min 17sec

wednesday May 25th: 4.8km/3mi: easy pace: 31min 27sec

thursday May 26th: rest

friday May 27th: 4.8km/3mi: 3.2km/2mi easy pace - 1.6km/1mi fast pace: 27min 25sec

saturday May 28th: 12.88km/8mi: easy pace: 1h 20min 53sec

That last run just knocked the wind out of me. I felt tired, exhausted. Had to battle winds that went easily up to 50km/h or 30mi/h... Hell.

But at the end, it makes me feel proud and gives me a great feeling of accomplishment. I just did it. I could have laid back and enjoyed my holiday but instead I went for it. That’s the spirit.

Now, if you remember correctly I left for Rhodes with the weight of 84.7kg or 186.73lb. I had the wish to return weighing a clean 83.0kg or 182.98lb. Well, this morning, the first day after returning I stood on the scale and it gave me a good 83.2kg or 183.42lb. Amazing, isn’t it!!!!!!! I am happy as.

Well that concludes my holiday. And although it looks tough to go running on holiday and keep yourself far away from alcohol or tasty touristic food, if the motivation is there, you can get anywhere!!!!

So thanks to all of you who stood by me. Remember, you motivate me as well as I have to myself. Hope to see you all in the next post!

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They’re killing me...

Hi guys and girls. It’s tuesday the 17th of May. Week three day two. And the starting weight for today was 84.7kg or 186.73lbs. 

As I mentioned, I was going to eat leftovers from sundays lunch. I wasn’t going to bother creating a dish when we had to empty the fridge. Why? Because we are leaving for Rhodes, Greece tomorrow morning very early. We have to check in at 4:30 am. 

But I should have eaten more. It wasn’t enough. At the time it felt owkay, but later on during the day it hit me rock hard.

During my run the hardest. I was motivated to start the 8km/5miles run today. It was going to be an easy one. 3.2km/2miles warmup at a comfortable pace, the next 3.2km/2miles increasing the pace to a max and the last 1.6km/1mile cooldown. And it began quite good. But during the second part of the run I got the smack in the face. Or better it cutted my legs off. Pfff. I felt my energy nosediving. And I had to drag myself to the end. 

But hey, I made it. And honestly, I am still glad with the time I ran. 47 min 47sec. An average pace of 5′56″/km or 9,33″/mile. I’ve done worse.

So that was it for today guys and girls. Next time we speak it will be in a tropical paradise. Looking forward to it. Bye bye and stay motivated. I will too, promise.

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Starting week three

Hi guys and girls. We have begun WEEK THREE!! Can you believe that. It seems like yesterday I posted my first one. Jeez.

Starting weight for today: another staggering 85.0kg or 187.39lbs. It’s going like a rocket.

Lunch. Well. Yesterday, as you record, I invited in laws, my sister in law with her husband and two boys over for a round of ‘semi-paleofood’. Now today we were invited by my wife’s parents to join them for diner. No probs, as long as it’s according to my schedule. And she came trough. What a woman. 

She got us steak. And not just any steak. But fillet. The best piece. It contains an amount of natural fat, but that’s owkay. It’s good to have some (not to much) natural fat from time to time. And to accompany it she provided us with lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, chicory - all raw - and carrots. Her husband looked at me with a mix of dispair and rage in his eyes. The poor guy. But she gave the good man some homemade French fries and his smile came back. And when he found out that the excellent bottle of red wine - Châteauneuf du pape, botlled 2009 - was his and only his he winked at me and poored himself a good glass of wine. Good for him. And it was a good meal. Thank you mother in law.

I ran this morning, because of the diner invite, and it went well. Had a short run of 4.83km/3miles ahead of me. I felt refreshed after a day of rest and ran it in a good time of 27 min and 07 sec. Good one. Nibbled an entire minute and a half off my previous time. I was grasping for breath in the end though. So maybe make the next run a bit more relaxed.

So guys and girls, that was it for today. Glad to see you’ve been reading my posts and hope to see you all in the next one. Bye

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Schedule week three and menu

Hi guys and girls.

I’m going to be brief about the menu. We are, as told, leaving to Rhodes, Greece during the night of tuesday upon wednesday so I only need to find a menu for two days.

Monday (rd. today) we were invited to eat at my parents in law. They made steak, fillet, baked underdone with lettuce, tomatoes, chicory, carrots and radishes. She made it especially for me and her poor husband had to eat it all as well. He ate the ‘food for rabbits’ with a sour smile. Poor guy. Tuesday I’m going to eat leftover chickenbreast with grilled veggies. Easy peasy.

Now, the running. I’m going to run in Rhodes too. Here’s the schedule for week three:

16th of May: 4.83km/3miles: 3.2km/2miles easy pace - 1.6km/1mile faster pace

17th of May: 8km/5miles: 3.2km/2miles easy pace - 3.2km/2miles increasing pace - 1.6km/1mile cooldown

18th of May: rest

19th of May: rest

20th of May: 4.83km/3miles: 3.2km/2miles easy pace - 1.6km/1mile faster pace

21st of May: 9.76km/6miles: easy pace

22nd of May: rest

We are increasing those distances. So I am curious of how my body will digest it whilst running with tropical temperatures. 

So that’s what I am up to this week. I will be looking out for healthy food during my stay in Rhodes so I stay true to my plan. Hope to see you all in the next posts guys and girls. Bye

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Let’s sum it up

Hi guys and girls. In this little post I will gatter some statistics from the first couple of weeks. Let’s go.

So in week one I went from 90.5kg or 199.52lbs to 88.1kg or 194.23lbs. A weight loss of 2.4kg or 5.29lbs. Not that bad.

Now, in the second week I went from 88.1kg or 194.23lbs to 85.5kg or 188.5 lbs. Losing a staggering 2.6kg or 5.73 lbs. Hell yeah, even more than last week. Way to go bro.

In two weeks time, because of the change in food and the running schedule I lost 5.0kg or 11.02lbs. If that isn’t motivating you I can’t image what would.

So let’s keep it up and get to our goal of 82kg or 180.78lbs. I’ll get there!!!!

See you guys and girls in the next post. Bye.

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Dinner with the in laws

Hi guys and girls. It’s day seven of week two. We are the 15th of May.

Starting weight is 85.5kg or 188lbs. So you see there was nothing to worry about yesterday. I’m very happy with my progress and hope that whoever follows my program step by step is having the same fantastic results. Keep it up, as shall I.

Well now. As the title told you, I, or we, are having in laws over for diner. They told me they were curious to see what this Paleo way of living/eating ment.

So I invited them. And instead of making the homemade burger for myself, I created an entire menu. 

My wife isn’t really that into the whole raw veggies and stuff so I gave her some slack and she made the appetizers (chips, salami, toast with all kinds of salads like chicken curry, eggsalad and so forth). But I didn’t eat any of it, of course.

Main course was a variety of grilled veggies. Made eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and even some goat cheese. The meat part was, for them, grilled chickenbreast basted with local grain mustard and wrapped in bacon and rosemary. I made it acceptable for both parties because Paleo does say you can eat bacon. In moderation of course. My piece of meat was chickenbreast marinated in rapeseed oil, thyme, rock salt, black pepper and turmeric. Yummy. What a feast.

Dessert was brougth with by the in laws and they claimed it to be vegetarian chocolate mousse but I gently declined. Sorry guys, just a bit to much sugar for my taste. But I thanked them anyway.

It was a resting day, so no running for me.

I hope you see trough my writings that it can be feast and diet together. There is no reasing for witholding what is good for you, or what you like. As long as you do it in moderation.

See you all in the next post guys and girls. Bye

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Hell of a run

Hi guys and girls. Week two day six. It goes pretty fast, don’t you think. 

Starting weight today was 86.3kg or 190.26lbs. Not a setback. Not at all. Just logic actually. From time to time you will have consumed enough to support your energy consumption of the day. So your weight lose will go status quo. 

This blog isn’t really about losing weight. It’s about finding a healthy lifestyle and a balance between movement and what to eat. So an that theme I think we’re doing pretty fine.

I had my Greek salad with squid and I must say that I’ll never, but really never get tired of this delicious dish.

So, my run. It was a 8km/5miles run. I had set my mind up to run at a steady pace of 10km/h or 6.38miles/h. And I did it. A staggering time of 46 min 15 sec. What a time, what a time. Ran even a higher average then the desired one. 

Good run, good run. Tomorrow a resting day so the legs can rest a bit and then we have a new week of running ahead of us.

So guys and girls, I hope you’re having as much fun as I have. And I also hope that your progress is as motivating as mine. See you all in the next post! Bye

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Holiday is coming up

Hi guys and girls. A quick post to tell you all that I’ll be on vacation. Yes. Woohoow. Finally.

Where to you ask? Well, my little family and me will be going to a Greek Island not far from the Turkish coast. Rhodes. And we will stay there for about twelve days. Relaxing and enjoying the sun.

But, a big BUT. I will continue my endeavour. Yes. I’ll continue training for the half marathon (haven’t found one to actually run yet), I will not drink alcohol and I will watch after my food. Anything for the cause.

I should be able to post regularly so you will be able to follow along. 

Oh yes, we leave this wednesday very early. We arrive there at 10am and will be returning the 29th of May. Yeay. So excited.

See you in the next post guys and girls. Bye

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Back on Track

Hi guys and girls. It is day five of week two. And we have a training day in front of us.

Starting weight is yet again 86.0kg or 189.6lbs. Holding.

I had an amazing fish for lunch. I went to the local fishshop and got me some wild Alaskan Salmon. Smoked. Wow, terrific. Best salmon ever. The leek was a bit to much, but the red onion and the pickles finished it off. Enjoyed my lunch. Very much.

And then, finally, another run. A 4.8km/3miles run. First 3.2km/2miles at a comfortable pace and the last one fast. And I nailed it, once again. I must be honest. The first km/1000yard, I had to find my legs. They felt heavy. But once warmed up, I went like a bullet. Final time was 28 min 40 sec. Not bad, certainly not bad at all.

So that was it for today. I feel good, and I have the motivation to carry on. Hope you do to and you follow me along. See you in the next post. Bye.

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At least the weather is good

Hi guys and girls.

Week two, day four. Another cross on the calendar.

Starting weight today: 86.0kg or 189.60lbs. Wow. I had to look twice. But it checks out. An entire kg or 2lbs off. Way to go.

I grilled my fish for lunch. Seemed a better idea then the steamed fish I had tuesday. And it paid of. A bit of black pepper, pinch of salt, olive oil, dill and a tiny bit of chili flakes ment a great deal. Grilled the turnips as well. After slightly steaming them. Held the crispy bite. Yummy. And the tomatoes gave that extra freshness to the dish. Delicious.

Yet again, no running today. My legs are screaming to do something. 

Sorry guys. No training today. And the bike ride to the daycare to get my daughter didn’t really count as much of an exercise.

So that was it for today. A boring one. Except for work by all means.

I hope you liked the post and for those who run along with me: do not fear. We are going to increase the training rate soon enough. Thank you all and see you in the next post! Bye.

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Running. My gear and assists.

Hi guys and girls.

I wanted to add this little post to my collection because I think it’s important to have good gear when you start running. (or any sport)

First of all the shoes. They are the MOST IMPORTANT part of your gear. You will fail or succeed because of the shoes you took.

I went to a runner’s lab and had my running style evaluated. So the nice people of the lab could assist me with the choice to make.

Do not fear. Most running labs are situated in running stores. So once evaluated they can show you different kinds of shoes. You will be astonished by the amount of brands there exist. 

They gave me Asics, Nikes, Mizunos and many more to try on. But in the end only one shoe really made me feel I ran on air. And that was the SAUCONY  ISO TRIUMPH. So I bought it. I will be honest. A good shoe is not cheap. For my pair I paid €165.00/$188.00. But it pays you back. How? By not having to see a doctor every week with another injury! But like I said. Get evaluated and let them decide which shoes are good for you. In the end you make the choice, but it will be a good one. Don’t go all aesthetic, not necessary.

I found out that my lovely wife provided me with a running schedule she got from the Nike Running APP. So I downloaded the app and now I have a good partner who motivates me during my run. It’s a wonderful app that gives you a lot of info. 

And finally, to really assist me. I got a Polar watch. The V800. It monitors my heartrate, my pace, my distance, literally everything. Good stuff, good stuff. A bit pricy but you can use it to go swimming or biking as well. So worth the investment. AND it’s a watch too. Hooray.

So guys and girls. That’s my gear. That’s what I use. I hope you got some tips out of this you can use. If you wish to follow me, in my writing or in my running, please do and tell me about your endeavours. 

Bye you all and hope to see you in my next posts! 

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Resting day... lame

Hi guys and girls. Yes it’s a resting day. Well, I do have to work but I don’t have to run today. Which sucks, because I ran so good last time so I want to continue. But I need to listen to the program. It’s best for my body. Sigh.

So week two, day three. Starting weight: 87.0kg/191.8lbs. 

Yup it’s decreasing. Slowly but steady.

This time I nailed lunch. Asparagus, green ones, with boiled eggs and spring onions. I added some tomatoes to ante up the flavour. O my god, delicious. It is asparagus season and you can taste it!!!! Superb veggie with almost no calories and so many nutritional values. I need the eggs for the proteins. No proteins, less energy. Simple math.

No running. (sad face).

So that was it for this wednesday. Easy going. Thank you for following, liking and or commenting on my posts. I hope you enjoyed it and hope to see you all in my next post. bye

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Like a beast

Hi guys and girls.

It’s day two of week two. Or day nine.

Starting weight: an amazing 87.3kg or 192.46lbs. Way to go!!!!

Do I have to mention breakfast? No, I will not. Only if there is a huge change in the breakfast setup I’ll come back on it.

Lunch. 

The red snapper with cherry tomatoes and spring onions wasn’t that deli as I thought it would be. I don’t know. Maybe I underseasoned my fish. But it all tasted a bit dull. But I ate it. So hooray. Next time I’ll put an extra couple of herbs on the fish. Maybe that’ll do it.

The long run. My furst long run of the program. I know some of you will be thinking: “what long run? 8km/5miles a long run? Are you kidding?”. But for me it’s a long run. AND it’s a fartlek. Which means I’ll have to keep up the pace.

And I crushed it. From the moment I started running I felt it was good. I’ve let my legs decide what pace to go and they took me to a higher level.

Time of completion for the 8km/5miles: 49 min 07 sec. 4.8km/3miles mark: 29 min 51 sec (one and a half minute faster than before). 6.4km/4miles mark: 39 min 38 sec (almost four entire minutes off). Pretty good indeed. Thank you.

So this takes the motivation to another level. First the entire 1kg or 2.2lbs that went off. And then the amazing run. Yes. It gives me a boost. 

I BELIEVE.

So guys and girls. I hope you enjoyed the content and would love to see you all in the next post. Bye.

[isitorisntit-blog]

Week One summary

Hi guys and girls. 

Let’s sum that first week up in numbers.

Starting weight day 1: 90.5kg or 199.52lbs

Weight day 7: 88.1kg or 194.23lbs.

So I lost 2.4kg or 5.29lbs in the first week. Not bad, not bad at all.

 I hope to have a tape measure so I can check my waist as well. 

No more headaches. Energy level had a dip in the first couple of days but increased from day 6. Stool is good, very good. I know what you think. Stool? Yes. I read that it’s a good way to see how your body is doing. It’s the mirror of your insides. Good stool means balance inside. Concentration level is going up. 

Only minus, but this one is personal, is that I am knackered at 10pm. But maybe that’s because of all the running I’ve been doing at the same time.

Hey. Good numbers. No?

Thank you for following me and I hope for those who follow my programs themselves, that you experience the same progress as I do.

Bye guys and girls

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First Milestone, next one in sight

Hi guys and girls. 

What is that Milestone you’re talking about? Well, that’s an easy one.

We finished our first week like champs!!!! Booyah.

Now we’re going to show week two what we are capable to...

Starting weight for day 8: 88.3kg/195lbs. Went up a bit. But nothing to worry. I anticipated it. Last night, after I finished the post for day 7, my wife and me had some leftover hummus with toasted bread. I violated my rule not to eat after 5pm. Hmmm. I see it as a little reward. It is still homemade hummus and no fastfood.

Anyway. Let’s get this day started. 

With breakfast as usual. Bought a new bike so tested it out with a 16km/10miles ride. So I certainly rode that hummus and toast to oblivion. ;-).

Lunch was the pork loin (on the grill) with salade and corn. Made some guacamole with leftover avocado. Maybe I overdone the garlic part a bit, but hell, it was tasty. 

After work I put on my running shoes and started the 4.8km/3miles run. And I went like a spear. Or a little spear. I just went a bit faster than the previous runs so I sharpened the 4.8km/3miles time with another minute and a half. 31min 24sec. Not bad. And after the stretch and hot shower I felt like a newborn. 

Supper was boring but tasty. Raw carrots, cauliflower and cherry tomatoes with a dip I made from the inside of tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, black pepper and a squize of lemon juice. Yummy.

So guys, girls, that was it for today. I feel good, but tired. So mission completed. Thank you for following me and liking my posts. It adds up to the motivation part. And it keeps me writing.

Remember, I am from Belgium. My native language is Dutch, but I’m writing in English. So I am bound to make mistakes. In grammar as in vocabulary. So please don’t OCD on me. ;-)

Thanks for reading and I’ll see you all in the next post.