Feeling Naturally Thin

Afternoon guys! 

If you didn't get a chance to check out my last post, the beginning of my Naturally Thin challenge, I encourage you to do so!

After doing some work on the blog and looking up some recipes for Nick's graduation dinner next week, I decided it was a good time to go for a run. My stomach was growling, so I had half this banana bran muffin and saved the rest for later- 

I ran my favorite "mansion run", nice and steady all the way down Bellevue and back. 

Stats: 

Time: 45:10

Miles: ~5 

Calories burned: 350 

When I got home, I was pretty hungry, so I decided if I'm hungry, why not eat? So I made my lunch. 

I stuffed a Rudi's spelt tortilla with red pepper hummus, some greens and 1/4 of an avocado. On the side I had a sliced carrot and five of these delicious Go Raw chips- 

I found them at Natural Foods, and I have to say they were very good! I could probably eat another handful, but this lunch was the perfect portion. It was chock full of healthy fats, veggies and whole grains so it should keep me going for a while! Because of the hummus and the wrap, I consider this more of a starch-based meal so I am balancing my bank account after my protein-filled breakfast. Going good so far! I ate when I was hungry, and stopped when I was full. 

Lunches are generally good in this sense, but sometimes I tend to not eat enough and end up starving soon after, so I was sure to eat enough, but not too much. No calorie counting, no weighing, just listening to my food voice telling me I need a little more at lunch than at breakfast. 

Naturally Thin Thoughts

I figured I'd give you the basics on Rule #1, Your diet is a bank account, this morning- because this is the BIG main rule, but I'll be giving you more than 1 rule each day as the week goes on. 

I'd also like to outline Bethenny's guidelines on balancing basics, to give you an idea of where I get my overall meal balancing ideas from. 

Balancing Basics 

• One or two meals based on carbs, preferably whole-grain or vegetable rather than refined 
• One or two meals based on protein, preferably lower in fat 
• 2 fruits and unlimited vegetables 
• 2 fats (i.e. only 2 meals with fatty foods)
• 2 sweets 
• 2 snacks, under 225 calories each (1 sweet, 1 salty)
• 2 beverages plus 6-8 glasses of water 
• 2 exceptions (i.e. bites of rich dessert, entree, bread or a drink)

(Frankel, 152-159)

Remember: These are JUST guidelines, not rules, and NOT a diet plan!

I'll let you know where I ended up in this balance at the end of the day; for now, it's time to shower and relax! Hope all of you who are working are having a productive day! It's so strange I'm not in school right now!