Carbs, carbs and how they fit into getting lean:)

Me in the middle of the mess that was my hotel room in California:)  Oh and sooooo tired, and clearly needing carbs after the two hours I spent shopping!  Noooo really!

These days it seems like everyone has become a little afraid of carbs....or.....all they eat are carbs, and their diets lack the protein that they need to stay lean.   There needs to be some sort of a balance, where there is variety in your diet.....eating the same boring things day in a day out is enough to drive any of us into a snickers (or whatever is your preferred crash and burn!) filled food overload.  When you constantly deprive your body for too long, there will be a day when the proverbial dam breaks....and you eat anything, and everything!

When I am working towards getting leaner ( and yes, I go in phases.....so often times I am) I focus on protein, fruits and vegetables for most of my meals, and usually only have a serving of carbs at breakfast, and for the meal right after my workout to speed up my recovery:)

For carbs I usually choose things that are less refined:

Oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat pasta and bread and sweet potatoes.

I stay away from: white sugar, white bread, white rice, sugary cereal......

When I am as lean as I want to be I usually have a small serving of carbs 4 times a day.  Carbs can be a bit of a slippery slope for me.  To a point, I feel great when I add them into my diet....but too much, or too refined....and I go overboard!