Food is Fuel, Not an Enemy

Social media has really destroyed self-esteem right and left since it came on the scene. It’s distorted, unattainable images that thrust people into body dysmorphia right and left within a matter of seconds. The days of the duck lip face are long gone – we have arrived and are deep in the trend, yes trend, of body modification. I am learning at age 34 what BBL means – Brazilian butt lift. I’m learning that leggings or leaning a way with 200 filters can really make you look like you have a giant ass, but in reality you don’t (which is fine!).

I’ve seen products being advertised as meal replacements. Um…what? Who is replacing naturally grown food with some replacement? Food is fuel. 99% of people don’t eat enough – they don’t eat enough natural wholesome foods, and most importantly not enough protein or fat. Think about it – or think about your energy levels. How do you feel working 9-5 or more, taking care of other items, and then crashing into bed at whatever time that is. Do you feel like you made it the whole day with enough energy? 

Likely not. If you get home and you ‘can’t workout because you’re too tired,’ but this happens every day – then something isn’t right. You definitely are going to have really hard days where it doesn’t happen – it happens to me occasionally but look at the level of fatigue you really are experiencing and separate it from simply just not feeling motivated. Do you drink water? You all know that stat we learned about the percentage of our body that is made up of water right? If we aren’t supplying the body – how are we going to keep things running so we can function every day? Our brain, heart, and lungs depend on water – their composition includes water. You have to know what the body needs and make sure you help it thrive. You’d be surprised what some water every day can do for you, especially if you haven’t regularly had it in your daily nutrition.  

Don’t let people scare you away from food – don’t let a severe undercut of calories become a part of your lifestyle. If you cut to 1200 or lower, then a) that’s just not safe and b) if you don’t do that forever, you’ll end up gaining weight back once you go back to a higher calorie nutrition plan. You have to think of food as the gasoline in your car (or battery being charged for that matter.) You have to realize your body is burning all day long, if we aren’t feeding it then it starts to slow down in order to preserve what is left in the tank. Do you ever eat breakfast, skip lunch, and maybe have a late dinner? Or do you skip breakfast, eat lunch and have a crappy dinner? It’s a balance. Your body needs carbs, yes carbs, protein, and fat. It just needs to be the right amount of each.

If you need some help figuring that formula out – you can talk to me! Just remember, food (the right food) is your friend.