Fun Run
We went for one final beach run (I just typed fun instead of run – fun it was!) We did about 4 miles – 2 on the beach, and 2 on a new side street. I love how long this island is. It’s easy to just set out down a street and it goes on straight for miles. I had another banana and PB before I left –
Breakfast
We decided to use up some of our groceries for breakfast since oats are easily transported home.
I had a Pumpkin Fage Blackberry parfait topped with a few crushed almonds –
Along with a piece of toast (Rudi’s Honey Wheat) with PB and banana. I wanted to slather the PB on, but after lots of practice, I know what a moderate serving of PB on toast looks like and kept it to a thinish layer.
With coffee. We were out of sweetener, so I went a little heavy on the skim milk. I can drink unsweet coffee, but it’s not nearly as pleasurable!
When I have 2 parts to my breakfast like this compared to a heaping bowl of oatmeal, my eyes think “There’s no way that will fill you up” but especially with the coffee, I am quite full now. Nutritionally this breakfast was comparable to a bowl of oatmeal – whole grains, banana, PB, pumpkin, yogurt (=milk), a few nuts, so we’ll see how my stomach and hunger respond!
We’re off to Charleston!! Dining at the famous Hominy Grill for lunch. We’re not sure yet if we’ll be heading back after lunch or after dinner – but we’ll probably stick around and savor every final minute of our trip 🙂
Julia says
Kath, how do you calculate the distance of your runs on vacation?
Jen says
Since the topic if ED was yesterday and there are some ppl on here who have gone through them and overcome them I was wondering if I could have some advice or something. I am underweight for my height (they think I may have a mal-absorption issue or something) bc I eat a ton and usually if I gain it may be a pound and gone really fast. Normally I would be excited for this “blessing” but it is causing me to binge eat because I feel like I can and maybe need to so I dont continue losing weight. I normally eat really healthy but there’s times usually at least once or twice a week where I go CRAZY and consume like 3000 calories in one sitting and so have like 7000 for the day. I feel partly guilty for this but obviously not enough to stop myself the next time. Last night when I got home from a friend’s party I felt kind of hungry so I ate…and ate…and ATE 4000 calories worth of crackers, peanut butter, cereal, more peanut butter, etc etc. Went to bed stuffed and woke up stuffed yet this morning had that “screw it i wanna eat” mind set and got fast food for breakfast
fried chicken bisquit sandwich with hashbrowns and then proceeded after beings tuffed to downing 5 reeses…
yeah im full and still want donuts or something…why am i a freak?
Becca says
Mmm, that parfait looks divine.
Julia,
not trying to answer for Kath, but I use google maps pedometer to calculate about how far I run. Its pretty cool.
VeggieGirl says
Ahh, your final beach run – sounds wonderful!
That parfait looks, well, perfect!! (parfait in French = perfect in English, haha).
Enjoy the drive to Charleston!
tvk says
Kath, I’m really impressed that you can eyeball a moderate amount of peanut butter. I too am trying to stop counting calories and eat “intuitively,” but there are some foods, like nut butters, that I still measure.
Jen, you’re not a freak because you binge. Bingeing in itself certainly has some negative consequences, but mainly it is “bad” because it’s a behavior people can beat themselves up for.
Julz says
It seems like you had a such a wonderfully relaxing and fun little vacation! Lovely 🙂 And ENJOY Hominy Grill!!My best friend Jenny goes to the University of Charleston and I ADORE THAT TOWN! Such charm, warmth, and class! We went to Hominy Grill while I was visiting her and it was awesome! We went for brunch though, but it was still so good. They appreciate the simplicity of food and execute the “Greats” SO well! Enjoy your Day and I hope the rain stays away!
Jen says
thanks tvk for the reply…makes me feel a little better haha
Jen says
i love reading this blog for ideas and stuff but it really makes me feel guilty when i see how perfect kath can eat all the time and i know i can never be like that! haha and in one post i remember her saying she had a “binge” and it was a dinner and icecream with chocolate for dessert and im like WOW if that’s her binge what would she say about me!
Julz says
Jen- I think that you should see a nutritionist if you aren’t already. You need to be VERY careful of your cholesterol, sodium, etc. There are PLENTY of healthy, nutrient-dense AND calorie-densed superfoods out there and you DEFNITELY should be trying to incorporate them into your diet. You should still make sure that you’re getting vitamins/minerals from fruits and vegetables too. Check out WHFoods.com! They focus on so many of these superfoods and they also provide nutrional profiles. I am not a nutritionist but have been to one, and though Kath and the other bloggers are FABULOUS sources for nutritional information and nutritional guidance, only an RD (Registered Dietician) can give you the full profile that you really need. You’re on the right track with asking Kath though! She’ll be a Nutritionist in a few years!! And a fabulous one!
I hope this helps and that you get everything taken care of!! Stay healthy and stay positive! 🙂
Worried says
I just hope Kath got enough iodine on her vacation….
Sorry couldn’t help myself.
Julia says
PB and banana on toast is AMAZING
Clara says
That area sounds so great for running. Wow, you really had an amazing vacation – very well-deserved 🙂 Thank you so much for posting all of the pics; it really brightened up some of my ah-so-bored-and-procrastinating-work-and-its-still-so-chilly-here moments. I really enjoy taking a little break out of my day and reading about your yummy food and adventures. Thank you!!!
flipflops says
Jen, I hope you feel better. Maybe a trip to the doctor to see what symptom of increased appetite means. http://www.medainc.org/help/ is a website with helpful, proper medical information on eating disorders; in no way am I slapping a label (would be thoroughly wrong/judgemental to ever do that), but some of what you describe/referring to yourself as a “freak” (unless you were just writing casually/not really feeling that way) sounds like the self esteem issues, features of binge eating disorder. In general this site will prove more useful, I think then the quiz in SELF since it’s designed by the folks who treat these issues. Worried, I chuckled, but that was kind of a meanie thing to say, after all, Kath said she thought she might be subclinical underactive thyroid. Happy weekend!
Jen says
how much does it usually cost to go see one??
Lauren says
Hi Kath, your vacation looks wonderful. I’m going to be in Kiawah Island in 2 weeks (can’t wait…I go there with my family, and now my boyfriend, every year), and we always spend a day in Charleston. We LOVE Hominy Grill. The she-crab soup is amazing! I hope you have a great time today. Charleston is one of my favorite cities to visit…I love the architecture and the whole culture. I really want to live there someday.
Jen — you are not a freak. I have been in remission for anorexia for about a year now, but am still not yet at a ‘healthy weight’ for my height. As unfortunate as this fact is, many people in the process of overcoming EDs are prone to bingeing — especially if they were accustomed to restricting for a prolonged period of time. It takes quite awhile for to get back in touch with your hunger signals and the feeling of fullness. Overcoming an ED can also be an uncomfortable and deeply emotional process; thus, some people turn to food in an effort to soothe the pain, anxiety, etc. that comes to the surface during recovery. Know that it DOES get easier with time, and that you are anything but abnormal. Just keep reminding yourself – out loud if you have to – that your body is worthy of being treated well. When you binge, or when you deprive your body of the fuel it needs, you disrespect it. Your body is a valuable thing, and you want it be there for you for a long time!
Betsy says
hominy grill is such a wonderful restaurant. i just love charleston!! enjoy yourselves!
hk says
beautiful parfait, I’m loving those blackberries!! Have fun today, Hominy Grill looks yummy 🙂
Ally says
That parfait looks great. Again, kudos to your healthy vacation eating! This is really an inspiration to me since vacations are usually my excuse to go nuts and eat whatever is in front of me.
Enjoy Charleston!
Jennachica says
Jen – I am in the exact same boat, I saw a nutritionist but honestly she didn’t really tell me anything new. It was more a pat pat on the head type deal. I’m trying to work on it by myself, unfortunately to no avail. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and most definitely not a freak (though at times – including yesterday, I felt the exact same way!). If you have a support group that is a fabulous resource, but if you have anything like my situation, I do not. My friends have pretty much ostercized me, my sister ‘doesnt want to deal with it’ and my parents live in Europe. So please dont think you are the only one out there!
sirenjess says
Jen, I agree with jennachica. A nutritionist won’t really help. My sister is a recovering anorexic and she went to see just a plain jane therapist. Hope that helps. And you are not a freak for what you are experiencing.
med student says
jen- I don’t mean to be rude but maybe you should check for the parasite? since you don’t gain weight and you have “insatiable” hunger…. sounds like some kind of tape worm…
or maybe you have a really high metabolism you just need more calories? I’d also try to rule out hyperthyroidism.
hope it helped
flipflops says
http://www.medainc.org/help/
Jen, this website can help you if you think you have eating issues/you don’t need to wrestle with this alone. If you meant that you feel like a “freak” that sounds like it could be a self esteem issue. Or maybe you didn’t mean it in that sense. I’m not sure/don’t want to sound like I’m judging. In no way am I implying/slapping an ED label on you. I agree with med student. Get to a doctor as this might be a symptom of other health stuff; i.e.increased metab./appetite. The surveys on meda inc are doctor/mental health professionally developed and will be alot more valid than a self quiz. Good luck.
Jen says
yeah im only 20 and became anemic so they were trying to find out why…in the midst of alot of that i had lost weight and so they all thought I developed an ED where I wasnt eating…cept i am A TON! haha so i have had numerous thyroid tests run on me, body scopes, cat scans, etc etc…my next test is a malabsorption one…
Angie says
Jen,
In Cincinnati, I found a registered dietician for $75 for a one hour consultation. It is an extra 60 for a metabolic rate test. I haven’t gone yet, so I can’t tell you if it might help you.
Does anyone know if it’s “worth it” to get your metabolic rate tested? I’m curious, more than anything, but I’m not sure if I’m $60 curious.
nicole r. says
jen–
interestingly another med student said the same, and maybe we like to think of unusual disorders, but i was also going to suggest a parasite. if you’re eating THAT much and are underweight, you definitely need to be seeing a gastroenterologist. soon. if not immediately. a nutritionist isn’t an md, and can’t check out why your body isn’t processing food properly. please do that soon, for your own health. if i were you i would not waste my time with RDs and such. these are good for people who know their weight problem lies with their food consumption, but unless you’re a closet bulimic, this is clearly not the case. if you have health insurance, you can look up a gastro in your area via the webpage of your plan. hope this helps.
CourtneyS says
Jen, you’ve gotten some great advice here, and I would second the suggestion to see a professional. I’ve recovered from a eating disorder and now have a healthy relationship with food – and love to cook! It’s a long road, but remember that eating disorders are NEVER just about food. Bingeing is always a reaction to something. Finding out what’s underneath it is the key.
Kath, enjoy the rest of your vacation!
Jen says
i actually already went and saw a gastroenterologist and then did a colonoscopy and an upper GI and found nothing :/ it really is discouraging! I eat healthy for the most part but I just get these binges that are horrible a couple times a week and I feel like it’s more common when my weight starts falling down again. I workout because it relieves stress and if I am eating fatty foods like peanut butter in large amounts i dont want to gain it all back in one spot if i start gaining…and because it’s healthy to still workout anyway. I usually do it at night and felt that it was from stress or boredom but now I notice I have the tendences sometimes during the day too. I am seriously at a point of frustration from it all and just want to be normal, eat normal, and feel normal!
Jen says
thank you all for your concern and advice it really does help!
Jen says
sorry for multiple posts but i had like a 3000 calorie binge last night after all my food… a huge fast food breakfast…then still had cravings and so i had 5 reeses
at lunch because i felt like i would be getting hungry soon because it had been like 4 hours since i had last eaten and want to get my patterns normal again so i had lunch which was a normal lunch…and then wanted 6 more reeses and now i am stuffed and feel tired and blah.
i wanna eat a normal dinner…part of me says i need to eat something really healthy and good for me but then i am afriad i will jsut binge again later tonight.
Yaz says
The parfait looks amazing, but yogurt usually doesn’t hold me till lunch… and sadly I can’t resist and munch my way till lunch. I like it more as a snack.
bluebird says
Could be signs of Binge Eating Disorder. Not to slap a label. I concur with the med students to see a doctor. Not saying you have an eating disorder, the self esteem/calling yourself freak and binge eating troubling you just sounds like it might be worth looking into. I hope u feel better soon.
Sara says
I can’t wait until the weather gets nice here too….seems to be taking forever this spring!
Runeatrepeat says
You are having a very healthy fun vacation! I want to go somewhere now.
anon says
Runeatrepeat,
Vacation?????? I thought it was more of a millitary training camp the way she has been running, biking and noting down every bite she ate.
flipflops says
does it matter what we think of what they did on their trip? people like to do diff. things. Sounds like they had a great time. Pretty beach.
rachel k says
jen–
i concur with recent comments re. a visit to a RD. speaking as someone who is in the health care field, as well as someone who has a background with an ED, it seems like a RD will essentially tell you what you already know. this, in fact, could be dangerous in your case. during my struggle with an ed, listening to the RDs input on caloric intake, saturated fat consumption, etc…exacerbated my problem. i had already memorized the calories in everything, and i was extremely obsessive about nutrition. my visits with the RD basically left me feeling more hopeless–i felt as if i already knew all of the advice and her repeats left me feeling like nobody could effectively intervene.
the most therapeutic things i did for myself during my struggle with an ed were: 1. talk to someone older and wiser whom i respected. i found a mentor who did not even ask about my ed until i mentioned it ( though it was obvious i was significantly underweight). she just me talk. by waiting to discuss the ED, she made me feel more “human”–like i wasn’t a freak show for being so tiny, and my existence wasn’t summed up in the phrase “Eating Disorder”. she was a very confident woman who didn’t put on airs and just being around her helped me put life into perspective.
2. I surrounded myself with people who were not vain/overly concerned with body image. they loved life. loved people. had healthy philosophies, but ate their cake too.
3. I stopped reading nutrition blogs, fitness magazines, women’s magazines in general–they only encouraged my obsessive and self-deprecating tendencies.
4.I focused on total health: mind, body, and spirit NOT just body
5.I lightened up–I re-learned that i wasn’t made to be perfect, wasn’t made to be like the girl next to me, etc…
6. I surrounded myself with people who had more to worry about than me. i find that when i am in a position to serve others in need, i realize how inconsequential my worries about eating too many calories, or how skinny i am, etc…are! I know this “argument” (if you can call it that) seems overplayed, but it is so true. There is so much suffering in this word–even in our backyards. I truly believe our lives will be measured, in part, based on how well we love the people in need around us.
Our lives are so short and so precious-like I said, we weren’t made to be perfect, or like anyone else. Food is for fuel and for pleasure–it was made for us, not us for it. Food, calories, and even how we look shouldn’t rule our lives. I am truly saddened by the years I spent struggling with disordered eating. And it WASNT just because I wanted to be skinny, it was so much more than that: the need to control, the need to feel secure, the need to be noticed…etc…In sum, such a struggle cannot be healed by visiting an RD who will tell you what you already know–you really need to dig deeper, protect yourself from “trigger” events, and surround yourself with people who can help you regain perspective.
And if this diatribe doesn’t apply to you, I hope someone else benefits;)
Take care all. Be nice to yourselves.
(okay–done with my orpah-esque speech for a while…….)
K says
Thanks rachel k. Perhaps, the BEST advice I’ve heard yet. 🙂
mel says
kath! thanks for blogging while on vacation and for putting so much time into the blog! Keep up the great work!
koootz says
woah woah woah… to the anonymous person who was like running everyday is not a vacation etc… for some people that ENJOY exercise, going for a run on the beach is awesome. its energizing, puts you in a good mood, and well is something I look forward to doing.
to me there is nothing better than waking up going for a run and then passing out on the beach all day…
Erin says
Plus 4 miles takes what, just over half an hour? Out of how many hours in a day?
Jennachica says
Thanks from myself too rachel K, that was honestly the best advice I’ve heard for a LONG time as well.