Part 2 Food

In my previous post I looked at some common sense thinking on how to stick to your exercise routine. I’ve also explored the topic of food numerous times in food for performance, food philosophy and what do you eat.

Here I want to focus on simple tools to assist you in sticking with your food routine.

#1 Make it fun

#2 Plan out your week

#3 Cook real food

#4 Prioritize health not diet

Fun

The fun factor needs a YUGE comeback when it comes to food. So much of the conversation is bogged down in calories, salt and “don’t eat this” mentality that one can feel consistently beat up. Eating should not be a science experiment but a pleasurable and thankful event.

Whether you are single or live in a family setting using seasonal ingredients promotes change and variety. Getting out and being charmed by your local farmer’s market helps connect you to your food sources. Sharing recipes with friends and trying out a new combination of foods from other cultures can spice up the atmosphere.

There are numerous ways to bring in the fun factor to eating but the most important is to not judge your efforts too harshly. If you’ve taken the time to put a meal on the table be proud of your achievements and truly enjoy it. Savor the food and the effort, job well done!

Plan & Cook

As we live in a food-obsessed country it is very easy to be pulled off your routine when distraction abounds, from the junk sold at gas stations to the constant barrage of food commercials to the holiday candy aisles in the stores. You are never two steps away from food-like products in your face.

If you have a plan, meaning specifically a grocery list, make time to shop and preferably cook the majority of your meals, you’ve won the battle! You have what you need to prevent obstacles being thrown in your way.

Every time you say oh I don’t have time to grocery shop, means there is space for a distraction to sneak in. That disturbance can come in the form of a last minute of snack, fast food option or other items that are not part of your regular routine. When you have real food in your house, you are more than likely to eat it and not want to waste the food or your hard earned money on a last minute grab.

Speaking of dollars, I hear often, healthy is expensive. I think different; lack of food planning is expensive. When you make a grocery list and stick to the items on it, coordinate your meals and items purchased to fit your budget, the economic perspective shifts and you save money. Last minute shopping can be expensive in terms of health and price.

Your body is like a car. Maintenance is key to the engine (or body) running smoothly. If your automobile never gets regular service at a certain point stuff goes wrong. Then comes the whopping bill to repair it, relate that to your body. Take care of it now or wait for the mind-blowing ticket when you try to fix it later.

Health over diet

There are all kinds of statistics but in 2015 the weight loss industry was estimated as a $60 Billion dollar market. However you slice it, that’s a YUGE amount spent on efforts to diet. Truly sad in my opinion especially for the dieter, which most research points to very low rates of success and possibly more damage than good.

By choosing health over diet I specifically mean let eating real food be your guide. Take the time to find the foods that work best for you and your family. Don’t be misled by promotional products appearing to be healthy or diet-conscious. Most products are simply manufactured food-like substances with little regard for your health.

If you’ve read my posts over the last years you know I’m a fan of the low-carb, low-sugar and high fat way of eating. That’s what works for our house, science project of two, husband and I. Find what works for you and be sincere in your efforts. Food choices should maximize performance in life.

Diet in my mind conjures up pain, agony and restriction. Personally if something is forbidden it all of sudden becomes larger than life. So yeah, if you need a piece of chocolate, eat it and enjoy it! But also learn to put as much effort into the meal choices as you do the dessert items.

Health is also not a number on a scale or your Body Mass Index (BMI). It is how you feel, the ability to move, mental health, overall quality of life and so much more. I’ve used this quote before but it’s still a fitting final reminder.

“Make your diet work for you, don’t work for your diet.”

Denise Minger author of Death by Food Pyramid