Great conversation in the group fitness session this morning about 'dieting' and the fear associated with eating when trying to lose weight. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me.
Women can be so fearful of eating. We have been so brainwashed that we must look a certain way that we punish ourselves relentlessly for being human.
Be Your Own BS Detector
I am a big believer in being your own BS detector, but not a believer in punishing yourself for wanting to eat food that tastes good or for needing enough total food to exist.
Are You Eating Enough?
SO MANY women are actually not eating enough. I have done it myself without really understanding how it was affecting my energy levels, my mood and my ability to cope with life.
Low-Carb?
Once I discovered how lean I could be following a 'low carb' diet plan, I was hooked. I was always someone who craves sweets and would eat way too many. Low carb eating stopped the cravings. It was like some form of magic.
Carbs Are Not Evil
Since then I still value the power of filling myself up with low carb vegetables, because along with sufficient protein and some fat, this really DOES satisfy hunger. BUT! Carbohydrates are not evil and are actually really important for recovery after high-intensity exercise and a hard day of mental effort.
Kale???
It is true, we do have to use up the carbohydrates that we eat, or they will be stored as body fat. But so too will excess protein and fat. If you eat more total calories than you need, weight gain is the end result, no matter whether it is Kale (that is a lot of Kale) or chips (or only a few chips).
Movement Matters
Movement matters but remember this - how your body looks is partly influenced by genetics and a lot to do with how you eat and how your genetic make-up responds to your diet.
You have the ability to influence how your genetic makeup manifests based on how you choose to eat and move.
Have a read about Epigenetic's. You can influence gene expression through diet and lifestyle changes. This is not something that is only available to the young either. You can do this at any time in your life.
Eat For Power!
If there is one thing that I have learned over the years, it's how much our food choices influence our energy levels and mood. Rather than beating myself up about eating chocolate because it is going to make me fat, I think about it like this.
S**T! - I ate chocolate AGAIN because I was disorganised and let myself get too hungry. I will try to organise myself more effectively tomorrow.
OR - if I eat all of that junk food right now, I will feel terrible and get a headache later, I am better waiting until I can eat a better choice.
OR - yummy! I am going to enjoy this delicious cake/chocolate/wine and it is all good.
How Do You Feel?
Does this resonate with your own experiences? Is there something that you would like to share that could help someone else? Send me a message.
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