For those of you who haven’t already visited my “What’s A Live-It” page, (or maybe you have), here’s a deeper look at my outlook on eating and life in general.
*One note:
This is NOT the perfect way of approaching food and eating. This plan will not create miracles or please everyone. Sure, I still have my days where I am unhappy with the way I look, but it’s all progress. This is the way that I choose to view eating, and this is what works for me. I’m merely offering suggestions and encouragement.
You do what works best for you!*
Hey everyone!
Sorry, no pancakes today, but I think this is a little more important than pancakes.
Did i just say that?!
We’re doing this Barefoot Contessa style: Back to Basics!
Anyway, who here has heard of the phrase “live-it”?
*Raises hand*
Yay! Then you know what my blog/food theories are based on. I think the word “diet” has the echo of oppression.
Let’s break it down: DIE-T.
There’s a “die” in there, right? Turns out that this isn’t necessary.
Let’s take a look at what our world preaches about bodies and diets.
(Pssst, all of those people are photo-shopped!!)
We’ve all seen it, right?
Disordered eating has been skyrocketing and it’s no wonder. We are encouraged to restrict our food, eat huge portions, and listen to diet books and “diet doctors” rather than our own bodies.
Okay, well how about this…..when did people suddenly decide that we have to “die” in order to achieve the “perfect” body? NEWS FLASH: there’s no such thing as a “perfect” body. If that were the case everyone would look the same and we would all be SO boring.
I’m here to remind you all that it’s much more important (and fun) to EAT TO LIVE, not live to eat.
For instance, what’s one thing all magazine covers have in common?
“Lose weight FASTER!”
“Try the 3-Day Detox Juice Diet”
“10 Days Of Low Carbs To Get Your Perfect Bikini Body”
They all promise results in a short period of time and rarely promote sensible weight loss. Fad diets are exactly what you think: something you have to GIVE UP in order to get the body you want.
But guess what? You don’t have to do any of that. A healthy lifestyle is easier than you think. No restricting calories, over-exercising, or sacrificing your health.
That’s where the “live-it” comes in.
Andrea Wachter said, “Imagine living in a culture that teaches us we are worthy, no matter what we look like. Imagine a culture that values compassion and kindness more than the number on a scale. Imagine a culture without scales, clothing sizes and mirrors, but rather with the goal of connecting to what is around you and within you”.
I couldn’t agree more!
For the past 2 years, I’ve been slowly working on healing my relationship with my body and food. People ask me why I choose certain foods, why I choose to be healthy, and if I’m on a diet. It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle. It’s my body and I only have one life to live, so why not treat it well and sustain my life? Like everything else worthwhile in life, getting and staying healthy takes work. If you can’t exercise four times a week, exercise once or twice a week, and try to build up if you want to. No one is judging you or competing against you. It’s your life!
- Listen to your body.
- Eat well and eat often.
- Sleep well.
- Meditate.
- Take a minute to stop and look around you.
- Be spontaneous.
- Look in the mirror and smile.
- Stop worrying about what others think!
A live-it approach to eating is for those who want to maintain a healthy relationship with their bodies and the foods they eat.
To reiterate: I am not and never will be on a diet; this just happens to be the way I like to eat because I enjoy it and want to enjoy great health, too.
Well- said. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series.
BE WELL EVERYONE.❤