Best nutrition for both improved performance and loss of fat?

[Jasmine]

I'm not trying to "lose weight" persay. I'm a 5'2" 18-year-old female and 120 lbs, whereabouts. I am trying to get real fit so that I can possibly run a 5k or half marathon this summer. I'm working out an average of 2 hours a day: an hour of cardio every day, and another hour of either strength training or yoga (alternating days). Ive been at this about a month. For all my hard work, I'd like to achieve that defined/lean look. I understand this comes with lowering your fat percent. I'm actually putting on pounds, though since I'm not gaining any inches I'm pretty sure this is all in muscle. My appetite has increased considerably, and on days that I don't eat my fill I notice that this has an impact on my performance in the gym. How can I get rid of fat while still improving my performance? Do I go ahead and hold back on the calories for a few weeks and just suffer through the lack of energy? Or is there a certain diet trick? Or do I just keep doing what I'm doing and see if I lean up with time? Any advice is much appreciated.

Oh yeah, and just so you know I am on a strict gluten-free diet. It's not by choice, I have a severe allergy (as well as intolerance).

 

[Jerry]

Always remember if the body thinks its get starved it will have an opposite reaction and hold on to water and calories and you will feel sluggish because the body will go into starvation mode. The best diet for going lean is a Low fat, High protein, Low "Bad" carb diet. Now for you it is important that you don't restrict your carb intake to low. And notice I said "Bad carbs" You need carbs to sustain your energy and workouts. So your carbs should come from Oatmeal, whole grains, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and yams. These are Low Glycemic clean carbs that won't make you fat. Your protein intake should be in the neighborhood of 1 gram per lean body weight per day. So if your 120 pounds and 100 of that is your actual lean weight you need 100 grams of protein. You should also "Cycle the carbs" Have 3 high days followed by a couple lower days, this will keep the metabolism "Ramped Up". Please have a cheat meal now and then, this will also ramp up the metabolism to digest the extra fat and sugars you just ate. remember work with your body not against it and you will lean out fine. I lost 40 pounds on this diet eating 5-7 CLEAN meals spaced throughout my day. Good Luck