Positive energy boost tip #2 - Food is fuel

I have had a love/hate relationship with food ever since I can remember. I pretty much know what I have to eat, when I should eat, and how much I need to eat in order to have the fuel I need to get through my day, but when it comes down to it, I ignore what I know and I eat till I feel full instead of eating to feel energized. (I’m sure many of you can relate to this.)
This is the single most difficult habit for me to change. Let me rephrase that: This is the single most important habit I am dedicated to improving.

There are many reasons why I want to develop a healthier relationship with food:

There are the obvious health benefits… I’m not getting any younger and I want to stay healthy
I want to teach my son good eating habits and break the cycle of yoyo dieting I inherited
I want to slim down and feel comfortable in my skin
but most of all I want to feel positive, light and energized

When I was pregnant with my son, I was extremely careful about what went into my mouth. I was constantly conscious of what my baby needed to be healthy and to develop normally. Those 9 months and the year I spent breasfeeding where the best “food years” in my life. I felt great! I looked great ! … and then, I went back to my old bad habits. Don’t ask me why… it makes no sense. Like a smoker who quits for 2 years and then decides to light up one day, I went from healthy mama to “indulge in my cravings for sweets, salt and lots of lasagna mama.”

The thing is that I’ve come to realize is just how bad I feel when I over eat or when I make poor food choices.

I’ve also discovered that eating meat makes me feel sluggish, bread and pasta make me feel bloated and sugar makes me crave more bread and pasta. Plus, when my body needs so much energy to digest, I don’t sleep well and then I feel cranky and that does not make for a positive attitude the next day.

I don’t buy into fad diets and the like anymore and I don’t place my focus on losing weight (after all: don’t you always want to find things you’ve lost and get them back? Words are important here!)

My focus now is on filling up with positive energy through the foods I choose to eat.

I’ve come up with my own set of golden rules when it comes to food but I’m learning new things every day so this list is likely to improve over time.

Food is fuel - Like I did when I was pregnant, I ask myself whether or not I am nourishing my body and mind with the food I’m about to eat.

Be Grateful - So many people have nothing to eat. I want to make sure I take the time to appreciate every morsel.

Less is more - I’m always amazed by how little food we really need to energize our bodies.

Follow the eat like a king in the morning, like a queen at noon and like a pauper at night method- If you need some healthy breakfast ideas, check out the Experiments in Living Blog (mmmm. great stuff Kate! )

Eat whole foods- Cut down on and then eliminate refined and processed foods from my diet.

Drink water - Flush out the system regularly … does wonders for the skin too.

And above all, talk about your emotions, don’t eat them!

I have a lot to learn here folks so if you have any great tips for me please do share them in the comments below!

Have a great day everyone!

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