Food is fuel. Calories are simply a unit of measurement of energy. You use energy doing everything in life like breathing, driving, thinking, showering, running, having an immune system.. you name it.. it takes calories. And if you can eat it, it has calories. So don’t think of calories as bad or good. They just are.
You want to have lots of good energy so you have to eat food that gives you long lasting energy. You want to be able to stay awake all day at your desk. You want to be able to lift a bag of dog food and carry it to your car. You want to be able to go run with your friends or go dancing at night. You want to have a functioning immune system.
Things like refined sugar and processed foods won’t do that. They will be more likely to send you into insulin overload leaving you more tired than you were before. You want to balance yourself with the right amount of sugar from carbs, fiber from veggies, fat from animals and plants and protein from animals to keep your energy balanced and your body running all day. So, from an energy stand point, you want almost all of your foods to be healthy and nutrient dense. This will also help you lose fat and build muscle, but I’m not going to get into detail about that in this blog. If you want to learn more about a weight loss meal plan,, read this blog.
My point today is about sustainability.
You want to be able to eat this way forever. But there are going to be times when you really want to enjoy ice cream with your kids, late night pizza, wine with your girlfriends, dessert on your date and french fries because you just freaking love them.
If you try to go through life eating salads every day and meat and veggies for every single dinner, you are going to get bored and you may start to resent your lifestyle. Then what? You binge.
When you view certain foods as off limits, it can make you want them even more. But why should it be forbidden? If you love it – have a little, but savor it. Eat it mindfully, and when you realize you aren’t truly enjoying it anymore, put it away.
If the food you love causes you to not feel well you may want to consider it off limits, or if you don’t just remember what happens when you eat too much. That is me with pizza.. it makes me feel terrible so maybe once a year I will indulge, but I really have to be mindful of how much I eat!
You also don’t you may live in regret. Don’t regret days or situations by making yourself miserable. If it’s your birthday don’t track your calories – who cares – have fun! You never want to look back on your 33rd birthday weekend or vacation in New Orleans with negative thoughts and regret.
So yes, PLAN on having a full on cheat meal once a week – it’s going to do your metabolism good as well to mix things up. And plan on having a couple of small treats like a glass of wine or a cookie a couple times week as well. It will keep you happy and keep you from getting bored or resentful.
The way you are eating should be a way you could eat FOREVER. This is not a diet.
If you need help with your own custom meal plan to reach your personal fitness goals, please email me Kyra@KyraWilliamsFitness.com and let’s get you set up!
Your Coach,
Kyra
P.S. How often do you have cheat meals? Leave a comment below!