FOODS YOU LOVE VS. FOODS YOU ENJOY

There is a big difference between eating foods you enjoy vs. eating foods you love.

Food you enjoy should be whole based, home made, consumed on a daily basis and keep you feeling your best. Foods you LOVE are the treats we usually crave on the weekends or after really busy days. Things like pizza, ice cream, buttery croissants, 3 glasses of wine and ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies would fall under the “ I LOVE THESE FOODS” category.

So how do we balance foods we love vs. food we enjoy while still progressing through our health and fitness journey?

Quite simply, we plan for it.

1.Take a Day Off.

The number one reason why trainers and nutritionists tell their clients to take a night off from planning their meals ( if they are in a dietary phase) is so they get a break from the cycle they’re in - but more than anything, it’s a mental break from prepping food or thinking your meals are all about restriction.

2. The When And How.

The “when” is up to you. Could be a Friday night, a Saturday morning or even a Sunday night - whatever floats your boat! The “how” on the other hand can be the tricky part because you’re probably wondering how do I do this:

a) without blowing up like a bloated balloon and feeling physically uncomfortable?

b) so it actually helps me move towards my goals?

c) so I don’t spiral out of control?

Let me tell ya,

Choose one day of the week (most people choose the weekend), eat plenty of protein, veggies and fruits throughout the day (this isn’t the time to starve yourself - if you do, you'll end up binging, so keep your belly full with protein) then enjoy the sh*t out of that meal! Don’t worry about how many calories are in it, don’t worry about tomorrow, just enjoy yourself, the company you’re with and the meal in front of you. Wake up the next day and get back to regular programming.

One day full of the foods you love will not derail your journey, but 2 or 3 days a week can. So remind yourself when you’re eating the foods you love that this isn’t “your last meal”. Reframe your thinking from “restriction” to “balance”. Because if you are anything like me and you tell me not to push the red button….I’m going to run full steam at it and smash it.