First things first – I am no expert when it comes to nutrition. If you want advice completely pertinent to you, I would suggest finding yourself a nutritionalist. This is my story of what I have learned and how we are being lied to in regards to everything on the battle of healthy V. unhealthy.
I bet everyday as you scroll through your social media sites you encounter many different ads for weight loss, fitness, or some meal service. If you haven’t you my friend, you are quite lucky. I can honestly tell you – I have tried numerous “get fit quick” schemes and although some may have worked initially – they never lasted.
Even with the Hello Fresh advertisements promising that the food is fresh, nutritious, and delicious – I can tell you from firsthand experience it most definitely is delicious, but being nutritious – well, that walks a fine line. Unless you as the consumer are really paying attention the nutrition label they send – to ensure you are not going over any macros such as fat, carbs, and or protein – a lot of the dishes are carb and or fat based. Who honestly reads the nutrient labels? I used to never care – if it looked healthy and stated it was healthy – I believed it. Quick example – many different yogurt commercials really hone in on the fact it’s healthy, a low calorie snack, or “hey – it’s not ice-cream” but have you ever really looked at what you are consuming? I am willing to bet the amount of sugar in a typical yogurt is over 20g. To put that into perspective – it is suggested we only consume 24g a day. Another one of my favorite “healthy” marketing schemes are the Be Kind bars – now I have to admit – I LOVED these!!!! However if you look at the nutrition label, they can be high in fat and carbs. Granted the almonds are “healthy;” probably not so much with chocolate drizzled all over them.
This past February I actually hired a nutrition and fitness coach – to say it is easy and a quick fix to get healthy – that is all bullshit. It’s hard work! It’s a lifestyle change and one that is mentally and physically exhausting. Now, I am not telling you – you need to work out 7 days a week and starve yourself – but to become healthy overall – if you have not been conditioned in the beginning – is very hard to go from eating “healthy maple and brown sugar oatmeal” to quick oats with fruit. Ok, maybe it isn’t hard for everybody – but day in and day out – you have to be consistent.
I am still trying to mentally grasp that it is okay to eat what is viewed as junk without completely being hard on myself. We have been conditioned to believe one food is better than the other – granted there is some truth to this, however, it’s okay to have a donut every once in a while. Maybe just not every day. My inner demons are still keeping me from this mindset – kind of…. I feel guilty even looking at a cookie with a desire to devour it – and I know that isn’t always healthy.
Some suggestions I have if you are wanting to overall become healthier in mind, body, and soul – start paying attention to the nutrition labels. Pay attention to the Fats, Carbs, and Proteins – I will add in sugar as well (those calculate into your carbs). One thing that has stuck with me has been when grocery shopping stick to the outer aisles. Have you ever noticed the processed foods are always in the center of the store; whereas your fruits, veggies, meats, and cheeses are on the outer limits of the store? I love having Greek yogurt every day, I prefer a brand called Ratio (not the Ratio Keto); with that being said, I actually am not a dairy person – I try to keep it limited in my diet. I try as much as possible to stay away from processed meats like lunch meat, sausage, or even bacon and I have essentially eliminated any red meat from my diet. I have went so long without eating or cooking it – that if I am or someone else is preparing it – it smells foul to me. I am not saying eliminate those from your diet, but maybe monitor yourself to see if you have been eating a lot.
The biggest and most important lesson I have taken away from the past couple of months is that it is okay to eat. When I had started Body Building, I was only eating anywhere from 1,400 to maybe 1,600 calories per day – even with my sporadic running/fitness routine. My body was so used to holding onto any type of body fat – that even with a reduced caloric intake and intensified fitness routine – I have only lost about 9 to 10 lbs. I have lost inches, but as my coach has informed – my body is so used to living off of limited fuel – that it’ll do whatever it needs to keep any “fat” stored on my body. Lesson here being – if you are an active person – you don’t necessarily have to feel guilty about eating 2,000 calories – your muscles need the nourishment for recovery, fuel, and to build more muscle. Lesson number 2 – muscle doesn’t actually weigh more than fat – 1 lb. of muscle and 1 lb. of fat are just that 1 lb. However, if you look at muscle you will notice it is “condensed/ tight” and the strands are close together – whereas fat – takes over more space…. Hence why I was losing inches but not really losing “weight.” I was losing fat – but at the same time I was gaining muscle.
Many women get discouraged when this happens – and quit working out – or go back to just eating 3 celery sticks for a meal. Ok, slight over exaggeration here, but stick with it. More muscle and losing inches – will make you look BOMB.COM! I promise! Don’t worry about looking too muscular too – unless you’re willing to go the steroid route – you won’t look like SpongeBob Square pants and his inflatable muscle arms.
It’ll take time to learn all the ins and outs – but seriously – a small and simple step toward a lifestyle change is all that is needed. I must kindly remind you to be kind to yourself and to allow yourself to not go down the rabbit hole of cutting out carbs or just eating “fats and proteins.” Unless you keep that up – you will gain it back. Besides – if you are going to tell me you will go the rest of your life or a whole year without cake or ice-cream – you’re only lying to yourself.
Your mental health is always most important – so find yourself a squad who will support you and encourage you. I can’t tell you how vastly important that it. You and only you are in control – choose your hard. Is it hard to get up every day and want to go to the gym – ABSOLUTELY! You know what is also hard – staring at myself in the mirror wanting abs – or regretting eating or binging on my favorite foods and gaining 5 lbs. Choose YOUR HARD. You got this!
Amanda
Experiment with simple easy ingredients – you may surprise yourself. Ground chicken with cauliflower rice and broccoli and a smidgen of stir fry sauce💙
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Her Boots 