Not a single day of my life goes by without thinking of how I feel about my body, how I feel in my skin and what foods I can/ will/ should eat and what foods I can/ will/ should avoid to feel better about my body. This is not what I think will work for you.. this is not me telling you what to do.. this is simply what works for me. And I publish this in hopes that maybe it can work for you.
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The minute I wake up in the morning I go into the bathroom and look at my abs. If my stomach is flat I am happy, if it is not, I am automatically in a bad mood. Some days are worse than others, but for the most part recently, I’ve done enough self talk to get through this part of my day and move along.
Several years ago I read a book by David Kessler called The End of Overeating. It’s a great book and it helps with the suggestions of setting rules for yourself and really looking at food as fuel. I enjoy the rational look at things.. Okay, I am hungry, I should eat. No, I’m not hungry.. I don’t need to eat. It’s very simple. Junk food is not good for us and it’s very addictive and we truly deserve better than that.
Sure, there are times we celebrate and socialize with food, but you can still eat in a way that will satisfy you while looking at things rationally. If you are going to dinner for your anniversary, look at the menu before you go and stick to your plan. Even enjoy a few bites of cheesecake. Or if you are going to girls’ dinner, have a protein shake before you leave so you can turn down the bread and eat a healthy meal, and even enjoy some wine.
For me, 95% of the times I eat, it’s to fuel my body so I can have the energy to work, drive, walk my pup, lift weights, sprint faster, boost my immune function, etc. Food is there to make my body feel good and yes, it can taste good too. I never eat plain chicken breast! Blech! I just follow clean eating recipes and my clean eating meal plan but stick to the foods I enjoy.
The other 5% of the time I indulge in some foods that really don’t help fuel me, but they make me happy. Things like rice krispy treats, pork belly tacos and margaritas. They don’t fuel me and they aren’t helping me see visible abs, but if I don’t enjoy these things occasionally, I will be miserable. I will feel trapped and confined and that will likely end in disaster. Having foods you love here and there can keep you going for the long haul. And I totally realize that I may have an extra 2% body fat on me and after a lot of self talk, I am okay with that so I enjoy my treats.
I honestly believe that it requires a lot of self talk day in and day out and a lot of practice to come to a place where we can be happy in our skin and find a healthy relationship with food.
Do you need help with your relationship with food and your body?
Go to Commit2FitCoaching.com/freeassessment and let me help you.
Your Coach,
Kyra