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In Diet vs Health Part 1, we discussed the difference between “Diet” and “Health” because society likes to think they can be interchanged equally and we know better! Kudos to you, you made it to Diet vs Health Part 2!!!

Diet vs Health Part 2

How am I going to get Healthy

First, I need to move my body. I need to exercise. I have tried different programs that I can do on my own like Couch to 5K and BeachBody videos and although I was successful for a bit, I couldn’t stick with them. I needed accountability and I like the comradery that comes from taking a fitness class. As for classes, I have tried regular gyms, Cross Fit, and Orange Theory. I loved Cross Fit when I went with people I knew and then found another great Cross Fit gym after we moved back from the states, but the times never really meshed with my schedule.

I am currently loving Orange Theory. I show up four days a week (at least this is what I can commit to now), do what they tell me and burn over 450 calories per class! I love the people, the fact the workouts change every day, and most importantly, it fits in my schedule. Timing is everything!!!

Second, I need to fuel my body appropriately. I need to eat fruit, veggies, protein, and yes even carbs! I know what my body needs to feel full and what it needs to get me through my day. What I do works for me and it took me a long time to find what worked, mostly because I didn’t listen to what my body needed.

I started eating based on Epicure’s Good Food Real Results. In a nutshell, I eat three balanced meals a day. A balanced meal consists of half your plate being veggies, a quarter of your plate being complex carbs, and a quarter being protein. Here is what comes in the Epicure’s Epic Life Collection (Good Food Real Results).

For example, four mornings a week I have a smoothie for breakfast. If it is a workout day, I have a banana with almond butter after my workout as my recovery meal. For lunch, I might have Mexican Chicken Soup or Cha Cha Chili (basically leftovers) or a sandwich if we are out of leftovers. For dinner, whatever I have planned. I do use Epicure’s Perfectly Portioned Scoops to make sure I am getting enough of each category.

Even on days I workout, I don’t feel hungry. I have always felt hungry on diets before, especially when I have been working out. I’m not saying feeling hungry is bad thing, but for me, I get hangry – nauseous, moody, light-headed, etc. It’s not safe for those around me, lol.

Finally, I drink half my body weight in water every day. Or at least I try to. This is a bit harder for me, but I am doing it, especially now that I have started working out. Sometimes I drink carbonated water when I miss soda (I crave the carbonation, lol). Other times I flavor my water with True Lemon (they have a ton of flavors).

So What Can You Do?

In the end, that is entirely up to you. When it comes to Diet vs Health, I do know that “Diets” are not the key to Health. I want the quick fix too, but it isn’t sustainable and it isn’t good for my body. I am trying to make life changes that will work for me now, but also in a year or 5 years from now.

Choose to eat clean. What I mean is limit the amount of processed food you eat. Notice how I say limit vs omit. Let’s be honest, sometimes we just want junk and that is OK. It’s sometimes, not every day, that’s the difference. Start there or start moving more. I’m not saying to join a gym and go all crazy unless that is what you want. Take a small step by taking the stairs more (if you can), park further away from the store to get a few extra steps, or even do chair exercises if you have some mobility concerns. Definitely speak to your doctor before starting something new so you don’t injure yourself.

Forward progression is the key. Take a small step by cleaning up one of your favorite meals. If you need help with that, I am here for you. Try adding in more veggies where you can. It doesn’t have to be drastic and shocking from the start unless you want it to be. Remember we are not dieting, we are choosing to eat cleaner or healthier and listen to our bodies. What I need to feel “right” each day may not be what you need and that is fine. We are two different people. As my daughter would say, “you do you”.

Ultimately, if you are happy with your body and how you feel, you are good. You didn’t need to read this, but if you got this far, Thank You!

Nix the Diet vs Health Debate

Let’s be real, we ALL need food to survive. We can “survive” off crap, but we won’t be able to live our best lives that way. If you want to live your best life, then choose your food wisely. Try to limit the junk, but don’t beat yourself up if you go through a food binge phase. It happens, but once it’s done, it’s done. You can’t undo it, but you can make better decisions the next time. You know that old phrase, “once you know better, do better”.

Ultimately I want you to choose Health! I want you to be able to live your best life. Your best life will look different than someone else’s, it’s supposed to because you are unique! I want you to listen to what your body needs, what your mind needs, and what your spirit needs. You might not be able to get them all into sync right away, so just choose one and work on that, then move to the next and so on.

Stay away from “Diets”, they may be a quick means to an end, but they normally aren’t overly healthy for you and are hard to sustain over long periods, hence the yo-yo dieting.

Where do you stand on Diet vs Health? Are you willing to nix the diet culture and focus on being healthy?

Diet vs Health Part 1