Healthy Choices Aren’t Always Easy, No Matter Who You Are
By: Jen Mueller,
SparkPeople Blogger
9/4/2012 10:00 AM
: 28 comments
: 12,109 Views
I don’t watch much T.V., but I have to admit I’m a big fan of the Olympics. I love seeing people push themselves to their limits (which is probably why I like running marathons) and reach goals they’ve been working so hard to achieve. I’m totally in awe of how in-shape these athletes are, and it inspires me to become a little more disciplined and focus on my own goals related to health and fitness.
Olympic athletes don’t get these bodies without a lot of hard work, which includes a strict fitness and nutrition plan. They are closely monitored by nutritionists who make sure they are eating the right amounts of food at the right times for optimum performance. It’s easy to assume that because they are being told what to eat and when to eat, it’s not as hard for them to stick to the plan. But is it really that much easier? Do you think that having access to someone like this would make your weight loss journey that much smoother? My guess is “no.”
I’ve heard people say that if they were wealthy and had a personal chef like Oprah, or even if they just had someone to plan and cook their meals, losing weight would be easy. Keep in mind that sticking to a healthy diet also takes a lot of willpower, especially when you’re first starting out and healthy eating hasn’t been part of your normal routine. I think if you asked Oprah, she’d tell you that losing weight can be challenging no matter how much money is in your bank account.
I would love to have someone cook for me. But that’s not going to make it any less tempting to buy a bag of Tootsie Rolls (my favorite!) at the store, or resist going out for ice cream with my family on a summer evening. I make choices each day to give my body the foods it needs and deserves because it’s good for me. I make choices about when I’m going to eat treats in moderation, and when I’m really going to indulge. I’d love to be more toned, lose the rest of my post-baby weight, and fit into some clothes that are just a little too snug right now. I’m well-aware that some of my choices have prevented this from happening so far, but it doesn’t mean it never will.
Although most people (including me) don’t set goals to look like a track-and-field or swimming star and don’t need to follow their strict dieting practices, there are some things we can learn from how they eat to fuel their performance. Jennifer Gibson is a registered dietitian who worked with many of Team USA’s top athletes for the London Olympic Games. She has suggestions for dealing with the food-related struggles many of the athletes (and everyday people) face, such as how to deal with emotional eating, and planning ahead. One of the suggestions I’ve been working on in my own diet is eating as much real food as possible. I’m trying to cut back on or eliminate most of the processed foods from my diet (so long, Tootsie Rolls….) to improve my overall health and my waistline.
In a society surrounded by fast food and junk food, a healthy diet isn’t necessarily simple for anyone. But if you can focus on why you’re making changes and eliminate the excuses, you’ll be on track to reach your goals and get your own gold medal!
What do you think?
Olympic athletes don’t get these bodies without a lot of hard work, which includes a strict fitness and nutrition plan. They are closely monitored by nutritionists who make sure they are eating the right amounts of food at the right times for optimum performance. It’s easy to assume that because they are being told what to eat and when to eat, it’s not as hard for them to stick to the plan. But is it really that much easier? Do you think that having access to someone like this would make your weight loss journey that much smoother? My guess is “no.”
I’ve heard people say that if they were wealthy and had a personal chef like Oprah, or even if they just had someone to plan and cook their meals, losing weight would be easy. Keep in mind that sticking to a healthy diet also takes a lot of willpower, especially when you’re first starting out and healthy eating hasn’t been part of your normal routine. I think if you asked Oprah, she’d tell you that losing weight can be challenging no matter how much money is in your bank account.
I would love to have someone cook for me. But that’s not going to make it any less tempting to buy a bag of Tootsie Rolls (my favorite!) at the store, or resist going out for ice cream with my family on a summer evening. I make choices each day to give my body the foods it needs and deserves because it’s good for me. I make choices about when I’m going to eat treats in moderation, and when I’m really going to indulge. I’d love to be more toned, lose the rest of my post-baby weight, and fit into some clothes that are just a little too snug right now. I’m well-aware that some of my choices have prevented this from happening so far, but it doesn’t mean it never will.
Although most people (including me) don’t set goals to look like a track-and-field or swimming star and don’t need to follow their strict dieting practices, there are some things we can learn from how they eat to fuel their performance. Jennifer Gibson is a registered dietitian who worked with many of Team USA’s top athletes for the London Olympic Games. She has suggestions for dealing with the food-related struggles many of the athletes (and everyday people) face, such as how to deal with emotional eating, and planning ahead. One of the suggestions I’ve been working on in my own diet is eating as much real food as possible. I’m trying to cut back on or eliminate most of the processed foods from my diet (so long, Tootsie Rolls….) to improve my overall health and my waistline.
In a society surrounded by fast food and junk food, a healthy diet isn’t necessarily simple for anyone. But if you can focus on why you’re making changes and eliminate the excuses, you’ll be on track to reach your goals and get your own gold medal!
What do you think?
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Comments
I never buy them, but they seem to magically appear around here (candy from Halloween, party bags, Easter Egg hunts (add in Christmas stockings and you have a list of where 90% of my kids' candy consumption comes from!))
Anyways, my kids know that Tootsie Rolls are "Mama's favorite" and always share willingly.
The great thing about them, to me, is that 3-4 small rolls are a satisfying treat, without too much injury to my calorie count for the day :-D
- 9/6/2012 3:06:31 PM
I started my journey 8 weeks ago (I am on week 9). I decided for the first time in my life to actually make complete dietary changes, rather than "crash diet", or just eat less calories. I have been obese my whole life, yet have made accomplishments on multiple occasions of losing 50+ lbs in 3 months or less, etc. At one point I made a $700 bet that I could lose 50 lbs in three months, and went from 314 to 244 in that period of time. During those times, I never looked at overall nutrition. I "rewarded" myself with tons of fast food, ice cream, etc, and gained the weight back and then some.
When I started my recent journey, something hit me. I am not sure if it is that I am now 38 with 3 young boys, or that I felt that I am running out of time, but I now choose daily to consume tons of leafy greens, egg white omlettes loaded with veggies, 30% consumption of protien from chicken, whey protien, tuna - no red meat, fruits, whole grain pasta (limited), and daily chia seeds, flax, and bran. To be honest it has been relatively easy so far, as I have dropped 44 pounds in 8 weeks, and I am losing at a rate of 5 lbs a week. Obviously it is because I started very heavy, and am burning a dramatic amount of calories due to my bodies shock of getting loads of nutrients, nutrition, and simply burning many calories due to my weight.
8 weeks ago, I could not even stand without pain. I could not walk for 5 minutes without being out of breath. I now can walk 30-45 minutes at a time. I now swim between 20-30 laps a day. I realize that my progress is happening due to the choices that I am making meal by meal, day by day. I did hours of research daily in regard to nutritional benefits of foods, and hidden "junk" in processed foods and many other foods avaliable for convenience. I think that the most shocking thing is what is in foods that seem "healthy" in restaurants, and how terrible 99% of fast food is, much less the 100-400% profit margin that they make on each meal .I have drastically reduced said meals.
I have started cooking for myself and my family for the first time in my life. As of 8 weeks ago, I did not even know how to cook eggs.
Anyway, dont mean to ramble on. This sight is great, and those who participate in it! - 9/6/2012 5:23:21 AM
I avoid almost anything in a box except cereals. Got rid of all the white stuff I can live without. I know its quicker and easier to pop something out of a box or bag etc into a pot or pan but is it really worth it? A BIG NO on that one!! Go real!! - 9/5/2012 4:04:24 PM
- 9/5/2012 12:38:29 PM
After all, there are stores out there with loads of junk food if I want them!
So, for me, it's working at motivation (not easy, and hardly perfection on my part) -- and I cook for myself, which I love!
Ahh if only someone could bottle motivation, huh? If *I* could, I would give it away for free.. I know how tough it can be.
Debb
:) - 9/5/2012 6:41:41 AM
When I was a kid, my grandmother used the "think of the starving children in Africa and finish your helping" strategy. Although that's a hype (for so many reasons) when you encounter the real thing, it DOES make a difference. - 9/4/2012 3:29:39 PM
- 9/4/2012 1:30:21 PM
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