How simple that sounds but it really is a choice. The weekend is upon us and all the excitement of what that means to each of us: a break from work, social drinking, parties, indulgence in unhealthy foods, and plain slacking off from our goals of living a healthy lifestyle. It is almost as if the weekend turns us into different people ... the "Jekyll and Hyde" of fitness and health exposed.
I admit to letting my hair down a bit on the weekend, and especially a little more this Sunday and Monday to celebrate Mother's Day and my Fabulous 51 Birthday. However, I do not agree with plunging completely into the dark side of forgetfulness of living a healthy life, and not being able to exemplify what that means not only to me but those I teach and motivate on the daily. Moderation is knowing how to moderate. A treat day does not need to turn into a cheat weekend because I guarantee that guilt and feeling like crap will come knocking at the door.
It is really OK to enjoy indulgences in life and that is called living and being realistic. It is a wise healthy person that knows how to do so in moderation, without guilt, and getting right back on healthy track the next meal, or next day. Studies have actually shown that mixing up the nutrition and throwing in an occasional quality splurge day can benefit the body similar to muscle confusion when the exercise program is changed. If you have been hardcore depleting your body of much needed nutrients and your muscles are screaming for some glycogen or blood sugar, a cheat meal or day can benefit both physiologically and psychologically. When you shock your system with a high influx of calories at one time, the body's metabolism will show an increase and you'll kick start your 'furnace' into high gear once again.
Wherever you are in your fitness program and especially with eating healthy, learning how to moderate splurges will make or break the success of reaching goals. How you think about what you are eating is important because eating healthy should be a lifestyle and not looked upon as a punishment or burden. This type of thinking will lead to resentment of adopting a healthy lifestyle and the rebel within will eventually revolt and return to those foods that created the state of un-health in the first place.
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| YOUR CHOICE |
Healthy foods not only taste good but are great for you. Gravitate towards foods in their rawest forms, especially produce. Enjoy the textures and tastes of vegetables, fruits, and raw nuts. Indulge in lean proteins on the grill like salmon and chicken breast. Stay away from processed junk, soda and basically those foods that do not support a healthy lifestyle. Alcohol should be kept to a minimum or eliminated altogether. Drink water over soda or sugared processed juices. Don't allow this fast paced society and marketing of "fake foods" pull you down a road of illness and obesity. Enjoy those things minimally and in moderation and get back on track with what eating is really supposed to be ... HEALTHY!
MAKE IT HAPPEN AND STAY HEALTHY!
I dedicate this Blog to my beautiful Mother and friend. Thank you Mom for blessing me with your love and support. I love you dearly and wish you a very Happy Mother's Day.
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| Every Day is Mother's Day |
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| Darla Leal, Fitness Expert and Fit at 50 |
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