Over Christmas and New Year we all kick back a bit more and indulge... And I'm guessing that most of us feel we're carrying a few more pounds as a result or feel a bit more sluggish. I know I am and I do. Going on a restrictive diet and promising ourself that we're not going to eat xyz is not the way forward. It's a negative perspective and it screams denial at your body (and mind!) which doesn't work long term! We all need carbohydrate, protein and fat in our diet so cutting out any of these food groups is not healthy. In terms of losing the extra few pounds, if you do nothing other than get back to your 'normal' eating and activity levels pre festivities then you'll lose it soon enough and gain energy back again. If you want to take this opportunity of a fresh year to make some improvements that you already felt you needed in your diet then small changes and slow continual progression is the way forward to long term change. And let's face it I'm sure we all know the things that aren't so healthful for us to eat. Start by switchIng to better choices and be aware of your choices. Recognise that you ALWAYS have choice - no one is putting the food in your mouth and making you eat it other than you! It may sound simple but actually acknowledging that gives you complete and utter responsibility for the quality of your diet. Scary or liberating, you decide...!
Last year I undertook a complete overhaul of my diet. I did it step by step by step and it took around 7 months to get to a place of eating no processed foods, only natural fruit sugars and about 70% organic and a healthy balanced profile of nutrients. I did it the whole process by choosing to ADD IN more healthful foods. It's an incredibly positive way to look at food, and it was exciting to try new foods and break out of stale food routines.
So today, let's not think denial and instead go about ADDING IN more healthful foods. One of the best ways you can start is to aim to eat a rainbow of natural colours and a range of textures. This gets a full spectrum of vegetables, fruits and fibres into your diet, giving you the vitamins and microbiotics that your body needs to best function. Consider smoothies, juices, steaming veg, curries, different types of grains...... Put NATURAL colours in anywhere you can. And drink a MINIMUM of 1.5 litres of good plain water.
Why does this matter (and what's it got to do with movement?)?
Our body needs quality food to give it the best quality energy and to keep it going and functioning healthy. Giving it poor quality food means it has to work harder to keep just the essential functions going, giving you less energy for anything else you want to do.....
What am I doing today?
I'm getting back to my daily nutribullet juices which i've missed these last couple of weeks. My favourite is kale, spinach, pumpkin seed and apple with coconut water. This afternoon I'll make a beetroot and carrot one. And I'm going to the shops to get lots of fresh veggies in for the next few days. Yum!
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