Friend 1: “I have sugar-free, fat-free, gluten-free, salt-free wheat-free, nut-free, dairy-free, real food free, flavor and texture free, eco-friendly protein bars for every meal because I’m saving the animals and saving the plants because they have feelings too, but being this fabulously thin is just a lucky side effect.”
Friend 2: “Oh yeah? I’m on day 89 of the annual 100-day peanut butter and duct tape dress size 14 to zero cleanse and I’m in a great mood because I’m rid of all those deadly food toxins that had accumulated in my liver! Seriously, I’m not cranky.”
Friend 3: “Umph, that’s nothing! I’ve completely switched to the raw vegan organic sticks and igneous ancient European cave stones Hollywood celebrity lifestyle and I’m losing 46lbs every 8 days!”
Friend 4: “Oh please. I woke up at 2am and bench pressed my car, did 5,000 sit ups and 18,000 jumping jacks before dawn, all this before running a full marathon. I can eat whatever I want. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat!”
Friend 5 (me): “Whateva man, I guess that means you all won’t be interested in Sunday brunch at my house–spinach frittata, fresh broccoli salad, smoked salmon, berry and dark chocolate fondue, whole grain apple nut muffins and passionfruit mimosas—followed by some serious dance game shenanigans…”
Now I will not go into the issues with friends 1-4, because they are free to do whatever they please and if what they do makes them feel healthy and happy, more power to them! But I’m tired of seeing the posts of friends 1,2,3,and 4 all over the internet, with all this kind of super-fitness banter that encourages some to engage in insane competition and others to be humiliated into permanent, depressing, lying on the sofa devouring cheez puffs and guzzling soda oblivion.
I’m here to tell you beauties, there is another way! The secret formula goes like this:
Exercise – look closely at your schedule and get creative with your current movement options and make space for more. Hate gyms? No problem. Join a walking club, take rollerblade lessons, challenge your family to some Dance Dance Revolution, plant a garden, take golf lessons, go salsa dancing, play rope in the neighborhood, walk to open air markets, try yoga, or whatever.
Diet – That’s a noun, not a verb. Make great effort to include as many glorious whole grains and deliciously fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables in your diet as possible every single day. Seek out new and exciting recipes. Even if you are not that skilled in the kitchen there is so much to explore, like salads. I’m not talking about the obligatory goodie-two-shoes salad, I’m talking about sexy, exotic, and unusual combinations you will want to eat. Decide for yourself how far you go with limiting foods that you know (like the back of your hand) aren’t nutritious. Don’t lie, don’t apologize, don’t perpetrate a fraud. Make up your mind and stick to it.
Mindset – This is where the challenge is and where most of us need diligent daily de-programming and support. It is difficult because you will need to let go of everything that our culture preaches to you about diet and fitness, such as releasing that goal dress size that has been stuck in your head for your entire adult life. Like putting the “no pain, no gain” fallacy to rest forever. Or calling a truce in the war you’ve declared on your body. Also, shifting the focus in every moment away from worry of what you look like to others. Take pride in your appearance, wear flattering clothes, hair, and makeup if you like. But once you step out, focus on sensuality–what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell instead of constantly imagining the horror of protruding this and jiggling that.
Result – This is ongoing. You will not wake up one day, having reached your “goal” and just go back to the old ways. Whatever size and weight you end up with wholeheartedly putting efforts into designing your ideal lifestyle is healthy, happy, balanced, beautiful, YOU.
I’m on a mission to change the world, one lifestyle at a time. If you’ve enjoyed this post, please share it by pasting a link on your Facebook wall, liking it, or emailing it to a friend. Thanks.
Related posts:
