Introduction
My mantra in life is “health really is all about balance.” It has taken me longer than I would care to admit to get to reach this balance. Being in a healthy place with food and a fitness regimen that is sustainable for longer than a few months at a time is often difficult to achieve on your own.
Did you know, one bad meal won’t kill your health routine and neither will one missed work out? I know, SHOCKING. Although most of us truly understand the concept that one or two (or a few more) off days don’t ruin everything we have built up, we still tend to self-sabotage when the inevitable happens.
It is time to start being fair to not only our bodies. We can start doing this by fueling it with the necessary nutrients we need but to also take the time enjoy the food we are eating. It is also time to bring movement into our lives that bring us nothing but happiness. Hate running? Don’t do it. Do you feel yourself dragging to that overpriced kickboxing class? Join another class schedule. We live in a world where niche gyms are everywhere and there are different diets down every aisle of the grocery store. Find one that you could see yourself living with for the long-term. If you truly hate green beans, I’ll let you in on something: there are plenty of other vegetables out there that you can try in exchange that you may actually like better, no reason to make yourself miserable.
Having some trouble discovering your balance? I have a few tips:
1)When grocery shopping use the 20-80 rule, this means 20% of your cart can be fun foods, such as that bag of chips your eyeing or some chocolate. Let the other 80% of your cart be foods that will nourish your body for the week.
2)Make a grocery list– I know this sounds obvious, but meal planning and writing a grocery list allows for a quicker trip to the store and will make the week run smoother.
3)Plan at least half of your meal to be plant-based. Whenever planning my weekly meals, I start with my vegetable and/or fruit first and follow with a protein and carbohydrate to help balance my meal.
4)Don’t consider carbohydrates or meats as the main focus of the meal, you’ll be more likely to consume more food and less calories if you don’t have these items as your focus.
5)Forgive yourself when you have that one night a week that you just don’t want anything in your fridge. Not wanting what you already prepared happens to everyone, remember one bad meal doesn’t make or break you.
6)See number four and plan a day to splurge. Health really is… all about BALANCE
7)Find a gym routine you enjoy doing, if you don’t love it you probably won’t stick with it.
8)If you don’t have the means to join a class, make a killer workout playlist, a song that has the ability to get you in the zone will benefit you for the rest of the time spent exercising.
9)Remember the fitness models seen on Social Media are often edited and be kinder to yourself if you feel yourself yearning for a body of a model. If you feel yourself not respecting your self image, remind yourself of the 3 reasons why your body is perfect for you.