With summer approaching, I decided that I really need to start getting serious about my health. I am sure that most girls often feel pressured to achieve that "perfect" beach body, as it is slathered all over the media, one six-pack after the other. But instead of wanting to focus on fitness just for the sake of looking decent in a bikini, I decided to make it my goal to focus on better nutrition, and my overall health, so that I can finally feel good about what I consume. I don't want to starve myself and ultimately feel miserable, and I don't want to continue on the path that I am on where I feel guilty after eating certain foods or over-eating. I also don't really like to follow diet trends or specific workout routines, I feel that everyone is different and has to find what works best for them, just as everyone has different fitness goals. For instance, I absolutely hate running so I try to do cardio in other ways, such as walking my dog, or riding my bike. I also really enjoy doing Pilates and working on strength training. That being said, I have been doing a lot of research lately on "Clean Eating." I know that this isn't a new concept, but it is the first time that I am motivated to follow it. To me, clean eating is more of a lifestyle change rather than a diet. It involves cutting your consumption of harsh chemicals and processed foods, and choosing all-natural and organic foods to eat that have fewer ingredients.
For those of you who are interested in clean eating, or have already implemented it into your life, I found
The Gracious Pantry blog to be an incredibly helpful source. It not only provides great information for beginners, but it also supplies an abundance of clean eating recipes, grocery shopping lists for specific stores, and meal plans. The greatest thing that I like about clean eating is that you are still able to indulge once in awhile, just in healthier ways. This makes my sweet tooth very happy, I just don't think that I can live without dessert.
I am sure that the process of slowly removing our stock of processed foods and condiments from our pantry will take awhile, and I am going to ease into eating clean since I still have a lot to learn about it. Either way, I hope to be successful in removing most of the harsh toxins that I have been putting into my body for so long, and as my journey down this road begins I will be sure to share with you what I learn along the way.
I am also open to any advice or other great resources and information on clean eating if anyone has any :)
- Jenny
this post is great and i really love that your motivation is to feel good -- that is the best motivation and the only thing that will really work in the long run. you should post about your endeavors or any recipes you try -- maybe your ambition will help me, ha! i totally know what you mean though. i don't necessarily want to look a certain way, i just don't want to feel bad about what i am putting into my body.
ReplyDeletei used to follow that blog regularly. i also like this one:
http://thediva-dish.com/
good luck! :)
Yea I will definitely post more about it, as well as my journey on how to get Alex on board with this as well hah. Ohh nice thanks I will check out that blog!
DeleteNever, never try to look like a picture in a magazine. They are all fake anyways. Every woman has problem areas and only you can make yourself feel good about your body. I have never enjoyed exercising either, but it makes me feel good about my body (the first time in 57 years) and if I like the way I look, I am a better person. I am not going to look like anyone else. You do what makes you feel good, and do it only for you. when you feel good, everyone around you feels good.
ReplyDeleteThanks mom! You are definitely a big inspiration to me, you found the motivation to change your eating habits and feel good about yourself so I hope to do the same. I need to get on your level, you workout more than I do :)
Deletewhat great advice, mom! i am so proud of you for working out and doing something good for you. you are right :)
Delete