I felt that blogging about food would be appropriate this week. I am pre-writing this post, as I will be in Disney World when it posts enjoying eating and drinking around the world at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

I used to post quite a bit about food and fitness. While I still am focusing this blog primarily on horses, food and fitness is a big part of taking care of myself as a rider and my diet has dramatically change over the past year. Last fall, I started eating meat after being a vegetarian/pescatarian for fourteen years! Maybe I will write a blog about all the reasons for making the switch, but I really don’t feel like getting into all that today ha ha. I have fully embraced once again being a meat eater. I feel great physically, and I have really enjoyed getting to be more adventurous with my food choices – especially while in Disney World! I have also really been working more on my fitness this summer, after a bit of a hiatus!

I have been eating a lot more calories since adding meat back into my diet, and of course fat and protein. It has really been helping me to have energy, strength, and stamina while riding more this summer. I am focusing mainly on eating a balanced diet, and limiting junky foods rather than restricting things. I guess I am following the 80/20 approach.

My fitness routine right now consists of short runs (20-40 min at a time), about four to five days a week along with light strength training and yoga a couple times a week. Last semester I barely worked out at all, and I have been super inconsistent over the past year. And I have FELT IT! I felt so weak and out of shape at the beginning of the summer, more so than I had in YEARS! Now, I am starting to feel somewhat fit again. I still have a long way to go to really get back to how I used to be, but I feel so much better. I am riding better, and working out has become a habit again – part of my routine – and it feels so good.

I am planning to workout a couple of times while in Disney World too, and of course walk a TON while also having lots of fun eating and drinking around the world! Even though I am on vacation, I still have to mindful so that I will be ready to get back into the saddle next week!