Is Carb-Loading Real?

I love eating, just like anyone else out there. But I'm also very self-conscious about what I eat, which is definitely not healthy if you think about it.

Like I've mentioned, I lost 15 kg since last year, owing to my new-found love for running and also to new knowledge on diet and nutrition. I started off with cutting down on carbohydrates, which drastically decreased my weight. This was easy to do in Japan since there are so many nutritious options to choose from, but once I got back to Europe, it became ridiculously hard (especially when I went straight to Italy after the summer for a couple of days).

I still feel guilty about the things I eat sometimes. But this week, since I am running a half marathon, I've been reading a lot about how I should be eating. I have heard from my researcher friends that carb-loading is not real. But the information I find online says I should start eating more carbs. I honestly don't know what to trust.

I feel guilty eating carbs because I know it reflects on my scale. Apparently, each gram of carbohydrate holds an x amount of water. I know - it's not fat that I'm gaining, but it certainly makes me self-conscious if I gain a few hundred grams during the week.

Especially since I am running less this week to taper for my race on Sunday, I've been conflicted about the amount of food and carbs I should eat. I guess it all comes down to my self-control. I certainly have stopped obsessing over my weight ever since I started doing more long-distance running, and have incorporated more carbs into my diet. Perhaps this week can be my cheat-week then. As long as I keep up my fitness, I can keep eating whatever, right (within limits)?

I don't think I'll carb-load because it's unnecessary for a half marathon. But, I'll probably eat more anyways to tell myself that I'm carb-loading if that makes sense so I can have an excuse for myself. One thing I know for sure is that I am having my pancakes with whipped cream for brunch after my race on Sunday!

#halfmarathon #nutrition #diet #running