I've heard it a million times, and I'm sure I'll here it a million more: "I bet you don't eat ice cream or anything like that."
While some are assuming that I don't eat certain foods due to leading a vegan lifestyle (breaking news: there are vegan versions of all foods), many are assuming that I don't eat the "bad foods" because I'm "so healthy."
That’s the truly awesome part about leading an active and healthy, balanced lifestyle. It allows you to live a healthy life, and have a healthy body, while not missing out on some of your favorites! It's time to ditch the idea of good and bad foods. Foods are either more or less nutritious, but not necessarily good or bad. It's time we change our mindset and perception we've developed around food.
Do I eat sweets and treats, or highly fatty foods, every single day? Of course not. I spend most mornings consuming oatmeal with peanut butter, agave and cinnamon; and veggies with every lunch and dinner. Because I make healthy choices 80-90% of the time, I can enjoy a guilt free serving of ice cream, chips, or whatever treat I want, 10-20% of the time, and go home not feeling bad about it! Consistency with these choices are key.
Weight Loss journeys are not diets. When your weight loss journey can make the shift from “dieting” to “lifestyle changing” then, and only then, will you see long term results. Then, and only then, will you be able to go to your holiday parties or out for a meal, and enjoy your favorite dish without feeling guilty.
We so often attach emotions to our food. We use food to celebrate, socialize, mourn, entertain, and so much more. But that feeling of guilt we attach to food can stop! And it doesn’t have to wait until the new year. We may be celebrating holidays, and perhaps even some birthdays, weddings, engagements, and babies being born, but our journey to a better us doesn’t have to be sacrificed in order to have a good time.
In the nutrition industry we refer to this as the 80/20 rule. How can you apply the 80/20 rule to your life? At what point in the day do you make not-so-great choices? Do you know why you make the choices you do? Find that spot, focus on that one thing, and build upon it one habit it a time. Food journaling can help! The My Fitness Pal app is a great tool for this. Often times beginning by making non-starchy vegetables comprise half of each of your meals, is a great way to start, and to keep you from overeating your starches and proteins.
Remember, you can have your cake and eat it too, just make sure you get your veggies in first.
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