How Keto and Running changed Anna's life.

Feb 9, 20195 min read

We are excited to introduce Anna (@eat.run.cook) as a guest on our blog.

We have been following/stalking/ drooling over some of her photos online for months on end now and we thought it was only appropriate that we got her on to share some recipes and hear a little about her journey.

I’m Anna, about to turn 39 and I am the fittest and healthiest I have ever been.

Just over 2 years ago I decided enough was enough, I had put 20kg on over two pregnancies and those kilos were quickly growing. I was mentally flat, no motivation to do anything and I was starting to become very negative about myself and my life.

I knew something had to give.

My husband had mentioned Keto and fasting to me a few times as it was something he was interested in, he is a specialised chiro and helps many people with their weight issues by introducing Keto and fasting to them so I thought why not. I researched foods I should be eating and foods I should be avoiding and then got rid of anything I shouldn’t have.

What is Keto?

Keto or ketogenic is a high fat low carb way of eating, my body is fat adapted now so it uses fat as its fuel rather than sugar.

Then I caught the running bug!

Next step was to get fit. I found a treadmill on eBay - strange thing is I have never been a runner...I always loved swimming but never running so I always say running found me because I have no idea why I chose a treadmill. As soon as it arrived I started running, setting little goals as I went.

After I reached 3km I decided to push myself and enter Run Melbourne and do a 10km run. This terrified me but I was determined. I had a few months to train and my goal was to do it without stopping, no walking.

Well I achieved it and the moment I ran over that finish line I was hooked!

That night I booked in another 10km shortly followed by my first half marathon. Whilst my love of running was growing, I had dropped 24kg thanks to keto, intermittent fasting and of course running helped. I also joined Pilates.

I had started my Instagram page @eat.run.cook and found a great community of supportive and like minded people. My passion for cooking keto and creating recipes was growing and I felt more alive with excitement for life than I ever had before.

Bring on the Marathon!

Fast forward a year and I had run 4 half marathons. I then set my sights on attacking the Full Marathon, although as all runners know there are their are plenty of ups and downs when training for marathons. Unfortunately during a training run just 9 weeks out a little niggle in my foot turned out to be a huge break right down the middle of my heel along with strained ligaments and bone bruising. It took 3 months in a moon boot and 6 months of no running to heal. I had to reset my goals and stay focused. I took up weights, boxing anything I could do really.

Finally I am back building my running distance again, and I am loving the challenge of getting running fit again and I will be doing that full Melbourne marathon this year in October.

Keto and Running

I run using fat as my fuel, and boost that energy with temple nutritions MCT oil daily, along with of course a ketogenic lifestyle. I fast daily minimum 16 hours.

I found I no longer need to re fuel during a run like I used to with carbs. My last half marathon I was up at 5am, I had two boiled eggs and half an avocado... gave 2 hours for that to digest before I ran. I had a little almond nut butter at 16km and that was it other than electrolytes and water. I finished in 1hr 53 which is my current P.B.

Through changing my diet and running I have become a better version of me in every way.

Here are 3 of Anna's Delicious Recipes that every runner should try!

Chocolate Berry Burst Smoothie

🍓 🥑 🍓 🥑 🍓 🥑 🍓 🥑

Healthy fats with a burst of energy.

Ingredients:

1/4 Avocado

4 raspberries

3 strawberries

6 walnuts

1 heaped tablespoon of @temple_nutrition Hemp Dark Chocolate powder

1 teaspoon of @temple_nutrition MCT oil

1 1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut milk or milk of your choice

Pinch of Himalayan salt

1 teaspoon of almond butter

Method:

Blend all of the above together and enjoy in a glass, in a insulated drink bottle and take with you or as a smoothie bowl! .

Anna's Special Tip:

If I am making a smoothie bowl then I add a few extra raspberries and strawberries on top with some coconut flakes, walnuts and a sprinkle of organic cacao nibs. This is a great breakfast, lunch or snack.

Almond Crunch Protein balls

Ingredients:

1 cup of almonds crushed to an almost crumb

2 tablespoons of almond butter

1 teaspoon of @temple_nutrition MCT oil

1 tablespoon of @temple_nutrition Hemp chocolate protein powder

Pinch of Himalayan salt

Method:

Crumb the almonds and put to one side

Add all other ingredients to a food processor or use a stick blender and mix together.

Mix through the crushed almonds and roll into balls.

Keep in the fridge.

Chocolate and roasted coconut Hemp Donuts.

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups almond flour 1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 tablespoon of @temple_nutrition Hemp Chocolate protein powder

1/2 tablespoon of cocao powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter , melted 1/4 cup Natvia Pure Organic Stevia 1 teaspoon organic coconut syrup niulife or vanilla 2 tablespoons heavy cream 3 tablespoons water 2 eggs

The icing ingredients:

Desiccated coconut for coating

4 squares of 90% Lindt

1 Tablespoon of butter

1 tablespoon of Natvia stevia sweetener

1 cup of heavy cream

Method: Pre-Heat oven to 180 degrees 1️⃣Place the almond flour, baking powder, salt, hemp powder and cocao and Stevia Sweetener in a mixing bowl. Set this aside. 2️⃣melt the butter and pour into another bowl. 3️⃣Add the vanilla or coconut syrup, heavy cream and water to the butter and mix.

4️⃣Add the butter mix to the almond flour mix and add the eggs. mix well with a mixer. 5️⃣place mixture into the donut tin and remember to butter or brush oil on the mounds first so it’s easy to remove once cooked.

6️⃣ I fill the mixture pretty close to the top and smooth over. They rise a little but not a lot. 7️⃣Bake for 15 minutes, until the tops are golden brown, on the top they may look ready but give them another minute as underneath is normally a lot lighter. 8️⃣ice the donuts once the have cooled down by using two forks to lower them into the icing and coat. Then sprinkle your choice of toppings.

9️⃣ whilst the donuts cool pop the chocolate and butter in a bowl sitting over a pot of boiling water and let it melt, stirring occasionally.

🔟 once melted add the sweetener and cream, whisk until all mixed in. Turn off the heat.

Using 2 forks dip the donuts into the chocolate so it’s all covered and then into the coconut and then onto the cake rack or plate. Enjoy

Toasted coconut : place shredded coconut on some parchment paper on an oven tray and watch it closely as it will take a couple of min to toast.

Follow @eat.run.cook for more delicious recipes.

Considering Keto?

Research Research Research

When starting keto it’s important to do your research and make it work for you, just copying what I or another person does won’t always work.

Prep meals #eatclean

Plan ahead so you don't pick the higher carb foods.

Listen to your body
Look at it as a lifestyle change not a diet.

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Editor Note: Run2PB doesn't endorse any specific diet, rather if you are considering changing your diet or making nutritional changes, please seek professional advice through an accredited health practitioner.

About Temple Nutrition

Founded in 2014, Temple Nutrition was born out of frustration with the health and supplement industry. Our love of everything movement and real food is the driver to be the best in the industry flagship products are a range of Bio Available Proteins, Optimised MCT Oil and Gut Support products that more than just the name that defines them.