Eating Healthy on the Run

by Lashell Hoover | More from this Blogger

22 Jan 2007 07:34 PM

Sometimes, I'm too impulsive. I'll get a spur of the moment idea and run with it. That's how I found myself in a classroom again. I wanted something to do while my kids were in school, so I thought it might be a good idea to take classes, full-time, at a university. My goodness, I wasn't prepared for it. For eight years, I did what I wanted, when I wanted. Suddenly, I was studying for hours and I had no social life. It wasn't long before I missed those afternoon naps I used to take... and it showed.

I hadn't thought about what I would eat during the day. A normal breakfast would consist of a Starbucks coffee and a cookie or scone. Then, lunch was whatever I brought with me, usually a cup of soup and Diet Pepsi. One day, an instructor looked at the sodium content of my soup and then kindly asked me to quit eating it. It had too much sodium. Maybe I should have been offended. After all, what I eat is my personal business, but I didn't blink an eye because he was right. I was, often, bloated. My fingers and feet were constantly swollen. Long story short, I was a mess mentally and physically. It was supposed to be a pleasant experience; instead, I woke up in the mornings feeling fat and frumpy. After our conversation, I traded my cup of soup and soda for bottled water and fresh fruit. Making those changes made a difference. The swelling and bloating stopped. I wish I could say that I stopped going to Starbucks, too; I didn't. I did cut my visits down to one, I mean two, times a week.

Thankfully, I was getting exercise. Walking is the fastest way to get anywhere on campus. I, even, took the stairs instead of the elevator. I have a weird elevator phobia. I hate to ride in them. As soon as the doors close, I start to feel nauseous and lightheaded. Usually, I have to close my eyes and sing to myself until the doors open, again. I don't know how I developed this fear, but some good comes out of it. I do a lot of walking.

A new semester is about to begin. I'm going to be surrounded by many young, attractive, and lean people. Some of them will be sipping Starbucks. I don't know how I'm going to avoid the urge. Water and fruit doesn't compare to coffee and scones, especially at eight in the morning.

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Learn more about Lashell Hoover

Lashell Hoover lives in Maryland with her husband, three children, and beloved pets. A former SAHM, she is currently a full-time university student. She enjoys writing, reading, music, art, and life.

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Julie Gentry (5915) 25 Jan 2007 09:04 AM

I bring raw oatmeal and sunflower seeds. The seeds provide quick energy. Yeah, sounds gross, but you get used to the oatmeal and it really fills you up. Neigggghhhh!

Lashell Hoover (470) 25 Jan 2007 12:32 PM

LOL, I like oatmeal and sunflower seeds. Sounds like trail mix to me. By the way, do you have any recipes for homemade trail mix, one that's good for you? I need an energy boost first thing in the morning and I'm looking for something that I can eat on the run. I hate to skip breakfast, but sometimes it can't be helped.