By Jana Mowrer, Contributed
MPH, RDN at Everyday HealthWins
@healthwins
As an Outpatient Dietitian I work every week with individuals who are looking to lose weight or better manage their blood sugars.
As the years have progressed, I have started to see a trend of sheer fear of food.
However, this fear leads to an overconsumption of those same items. For example: someone with a fear of carbs, will usually tend to overeat food high in carbohydrates.
Foods do not fit into two categories – “bad” or “good.” Let’s just set the record straight, bananas don’t cause belly fat, and carbohydrates don’t cause diabetes.
The concept of health in today’s society has become very misleading. We seem to have defined health in the form of extremes. From the extreme diet, to exercise routines, and even the millions of dollars we spend on supplements.
But usually, these extremes lead us to quick results and then a rebound effect – with more weight gain noted in the long run. It’s an exhausting and costly routine, which ultimately doesn’t lead to our goal of lifelong health.
So, let’s do different. Here are some ways to do different and allow health to win, everyday!
Diets suck.
Stop with the crazy extreme diets. Food is great.
Eat real, whole food, on a consistent basis everyday. Generally speaking, the average female requires 1500 to 1800 calories per day and the average male requires 2000 to 2200 calories per day. That’s a lot of food.
Food is not good or bad.
The overconsumption of food is what gets us in trouble. Have you ever wondered why the foods we fear are usually the foods we over consume?
Use food for it’s sole purpose, to nourish our bodies.
Utilize mindful eating during meal times.
Eating mindfully is not about what you eat, but HOW and WHY you eat. It is not about judging your food choices or yourself, but instead focuses on the HERE and NOW of eating.
Set small daily goals – Everyday HealthWins – that you know you will achieve.
Set yourself up for success, not failure! A HealthWin is defined as: any thought, activity or action taken each day to nourish your body’s needs.
Figure out what your body needs, not wants, and do that-everyday.
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars a month.
In our local area there are several FREE Wellness workshops and exercise groups.
Plus buying healthy food doesn’t have to cost you more, either. If you stick with whole foods such as lean proteins, whole grains, low fat dairy, beans, fruits and vegetables, you can make your dollar go a lot further. Increased food costs usually come from buying added protein powders, supplements and pre-made food items.
Last, but certainly not least, check your self-talk.
Our minds are powerful weapons in the journey to living a life filled with health, abundance and joy.
Speak kindly to yourself. Give yourself credit for all that you do every single day.
How do you start? Pick one principle per week to master. Once you feel you have a grasp on that principle, start incorporating the next principle into your daily routine.
You should feel comfortable and confident in achieving the goals you set for yourself. Stop with the extremes, and enjoy all the amazing things your body can accomplish!
Set yourself up for living a wildly successful life-filled with health, energy and abundance.
