You Are What You Eat

Put down the cake, pick up the weights!

Food, food, food!!  Most of you probably already know that consistently eating healthy is my struggle!  As you can see from the before picture above I was enjoying sugar filled, processed foods!!  Even since my healthy lifestyle change I have had quite a few secret love affairs with food (remember this one) because I'm a recovering emotional eater.

I've told you before that eating healthy is so important to me because I truly believe what we eat can cause or fight off illnesses.  We had no documented history of breast cancer, yet my mom was diagnosed with it twice.  The one year anniversary of her passing is coming up and I'm so happy that I'm participating in a Whole 30 transformation challenge because that is going to help me to not go on an emotional eating binge.

I asked you all a few weeks ago if you were ready to lose your excuses (here) and I'm hoping you answered with a confident YES!  A huge part of living a healthy lifestyle is your eating habits.  You can change your unhealthy eating habits if you're willing to try!  I'm a living witness to this... I had no intentions of changing my eating habits when I started my healthy lifestyle journey because I thought eating healthy was restrictive, boring, too expensive and I thought I would be hungry all of the time!  I was so wrong and I'm happy that I gave it a try because otherwise I'm sure I would not have had the same weight loss results!

Let's look at a few of the excuses I used before I started eating healthy.

Too Restrictive/Boring/Hungry All of the Time

For some reason people equate eating heathy with only eating salads or hardly eating at all.  There are so many options and an array of food you can eat but you have to make sure you have those options in your refrigerator and pantry!  Of course you're going to feel deprived or restricted if the only options you have are unhealthy options.  I have had people say to me, 'I've tried to eat healthy but I'm hungry all of the time'. To which I ask 'what are you eating?'.  In most cases they are not eating enough.  Just like your car cannot run without fuel, your body cannot run without food.  

When it comes to eating healthy keep it simple.  It's so easy to over think it and make it complicated.  Keep healthy food and snacks around, drink water throughout the day and make sure you drink water before each meal.  A good rule of thumb is to eat every 2-3 hours but you know your body (don't be a robot).  Also, make sure you eat breakfast!!  But what is most important is to do what works for you!

 

What are some foods that you really like to eat?  If they are unhealthy, remix it and make it healthy.  For example, I love shrimp.  You see two pictures above with shrimp.  I probably eat shrimp at least one time a week (yea I've heard they are dirty blah, blah:).  I'm not a fan of chicken breast but I eat it because it's a good lean protein.  I just don't eat it as often because I don't want to have that dreadful feeling when I eat!!  When I do eat it I make sure the flavor is great so that I can enjoy it.  Also, try new foods!  I never ate brussels sprouts before but I tried them and I love them!

Stop eating CRAP (Carbonated drinks, Refined sugar, Artificial food, Processed food)

"Yes, unhealthy foods is often cheaper to buy, but more costly to your health"

Too Expensive

Eating healthy has saved my family a lot of money (which is needed right now lol).  We used to eat out all of the time but now I am all about cooking our meals.  It can be more convenient to pick up something to eat and usually it is cheaper (fast foods) however you can make healthy foods convenient by preparing them ahead of time.   

This example shows how eating healthy can be less expensive than eating unhealthy.

How many times have we heard 'You Are What You Eat'?  I would guess too many times to remember!  But it is true.  What we consume is vital to our health.  There is too much to cover on this topic for just one post  but for now let's lift more weights thank cakes :)!  Food is fuel for our bodies so let's fuel our bodies to be lean, healthy machines!!

Lift more weights than cakes:)

Eat wisely, eat to live!

Do you struggle with eating healthy or are you successful with consistently eating healthy?  Share your thoughts!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia

My Secret Affair

Singing: I've been cheat'n, I've been cheat'n; I get all flabby when that sugar gets up in me.. (in the tune of Drunk in Love)! As the saying goes 'you are what you eat'!  And right about now I'm full of chips, cakes, wine, and more junk!  This secret love affair with processed, sugary, salty, junk food has to end!  Just a few months ago I was getting rid of my shrinking kangaroo pouch, now I've taken like 10 steps backwards!

On this healthy lifestyle journey I have had no problems with the fitness part of it!  I absolutely love (and I do mean love) to workout!  There are days when I don't feel like working out but I always talk myself into it.  The eating healthy part is almost completely opposite!  While I've gotten much better with my eating habits I still struggle with consistently eating with my goals in mind!  I refuse to continue down this road so I'm going to get myself back on track TODAY!

When we mess up we can stay in the mess or we can clean ourselves up and move forward.  Here's my plan to get back on track with consistently eating healthy most of the time!

Easter is when I noticed my affair.. It only got worse from there! 

(darn chocolate cake & banana pudding)!

Identify the Issue!
I'm an emotional eater!  I know these unhealthy eating habits and cravings are directly tied to the fact that I really miss my mom!  I've been trying to be happy and strong just like she would want me to be.  I've been all smiles acting as if it's all good, not really allowing myself to just feel the pain and grieve.  I started to really mask my pain on her birthday (March 31st).  I didn't notice how out of control my indulgences were getting until shortly after Easter!  I know how easy it is for me to 'eat my emotions' so this is something I have to stay conscience of and continue to work on overcoming.  I plan on journaling more and letting my family know when I'm really missing my mom.  Their listening ear will help much more than a bowl of life cereal (may not sound too bad but I've been eating way too many bowls a day- all the milk is showing in my boobs which I"m loving).

I will defeat this!

Get Rid of Excuses!
I was almost excusing my cheating saying, 'I deserve this' or 'I workout hard' knowing dang well I can't out exercise a bad diet!  I also stopped using myfitnesspal to track my meals using the excuse of I messed up my 100 day streak for the second time.  Then I used the 'I don't have time' to track my meals excuse!  Finally, I was using the excuse of 'I'll get back on track tomorrow'!  I've seen too many 'tomorrows' come and go!  No more excuses for excuses for me.

Track All Meals!
Speaking of myfitnesspal, I am re-commiting to tracking all of my food!  Studies show that people who track what they eat are more likely to be successful in losing weight and keeping it off.  I plan on being in the keeping it off category!

Get Back on Track with a Jumpstart Meal Plan
When I got off track with consistently eating healthy after my mom passed in October I decided to complete the 21 Day Daniel Fast.  It helped me get rid of all of my cravings for junk food and also helped build my faith!  I thought hard about doing it again this time but my goal is different.  When I started the Daniel Fast back in January I was aiming for transformation inside-out.  This time I just want to get rid of this extra belly fat I've added and to get back on track with my goal of leaning out and reducing my fat percentage.  I searched Pinterest and found the below lean out meal plan that I'm going to use starting today through Sunday.  If I get the results I'm looking for, from there I'm going to go back to one of my healthy meal plans.  If I don't get the results I want, I may do the Daniel Fast but just 10 days this time!

I'm replacing cottage cheese with Greek yogurt.. Have any of you tried this?

This is the first time I've ever prepped my meals for the week!  I always have a plan in mind but I've never prepped because I tend to eat based on what I'm in the mood to eat!  Even though I eat the same food for the most part, I view meal prepping as restrictive...  We shall see if I continue to prep my food a week ahead!  Either way, I will continue to have a plan in place!

Pictured: 3 days of meals excluding 3rd lean protein & protein powder

Eat According to Goals
I really want to flatten my tummy!!  I don't necessarily want to have a six-pack but I do want to achieve my goal of a flat belly.  I know this is directly tied to what I eat.  Also, my ultimate goal is to be completely healthy.  I truly believe that certain foods contribute to diseases like breast cancer.  I'm not saying I will never eat a piece of cake because I don't believe in restricting foods 100%.  We all know the quote 'One unhealthy meal won't make you unhealthy just like one healthy meal won't make you healthy'!  All we need to do is plan our meals according to our goals (including our indulgences) and stay focused on that plan!

"Eat to meet long-term goals, not short-term satisfaction!"

"Don't Give up what you want most for what you want now!"

In addition to the steps above I plan to just move on mentally, period!  It's done, the muffin top is there, my boobs are bigger (yay:), I messed up yet again but life goes on!  I'm going to drink a lot of water and stay focused on my goals!

Remember what goes on in the dark comes to light!!  My cheating has definitely come to the light.  I have a picture to prove it and I will be sharing it (when I flatten my belly back lol)!

What do you do to stay on track?  Please share!

Seasoned with Grace,

QueenZadia