So this week you slipped off the healthy eating boat. Syrup drenched french toast was taunting you on the brunch menu. Besides, you deserve it after the last week of organic salads, smoothies, and low sodium turkey meat. All in moderation right? Then there are those weeks or even months, when you willingly throw yourself off the wholesome nutrition yacht into a sea of scrumptious cocktails, desserts, and 2am pizza runs. Tomorrow, you swear, you’ll climb back aboard and detox. Just one more glass of sangria please!
Balance. If only it were so easy to find and maintain! Whether you are looking to lose a few pounds or just maintain your current fit self, balance and moderation are key. Time and time again I catch myself falling into bad habits and making poor choices about food. My typical train of thought… “oh I feel really great this week, I’m eating right and working out everyday.” Which is followed by two weeks later, “woah Amber, rein it in! You’ve been partying way too much, over eating, and you’ve slacked on getting to dance class. Pull yourself together girl!” It’s always all or nothing, healthy or sloppy. How do we live in the gray?
Making a thoughtful, conscious choice about everything you put in your mouth is, lets face it, somewhat mind numbing. It takes effort, but it’s always worth it. When you use your will power and don’t give in to useless cravings, you feel amazing! Realize that you do have complete control, it’s just not always utilized. Here are a few ways I’ve found that help me maintain eating in healthy moderation:
Get The Info: Dig through your library of nutrition books or pick up a new find. Reread the advice and information you use to eat wisely and get re-inspired. Go back to the website that offered guidelines that make sense to your lifestyle, or chat with friends about their ideas on nutrition. Prime example, I went back through one of my old faves, Healing With Whole Foods, by Paul Pitchford, and found info I had passed over or simply forgotten. I forgot about the benefits of seaweed!
Journal It: Keeping a food journal all the time can be challenging on busy days and vacations. My suggestion: check in every month or so. Once a month track what you eat for a week. Write down your meals, snacks, and water intake, time of day and how you were feeling emotionally at the time. Also rate your hunger. Where you famished before you devoured that whole bag of chips or just bored? Compare your journal entrees and see if you are retaining good habits.
Set Visible Reminders: Place sticky notes on your fridge, pop-ups on the computer, or reminders on your phone to eat well. Just putting a super healthy cookbook on the counter is enough for me to stay excited about the wonderful healthy options and recipes I could cook up.
