My thoughts on “clean eating”….

I was sitting here racking my brain for ideas on what to blog about.  I can’t believe I didn’t post one blog in the whole month of February.  February was a pretty good month.  I turned 32.  Yippie!!!  (sarcasm).  I felt like ranting about “mean girls” or “bullies”.  I felt like blogging about how much it pisses me off that at 32, I am having to deal with bullies just as my 11 year old son does in Elementary school.  It pisses me off when people are mean to others because of their own insecurities and so they try to be funny and bring that other person down.   I’m offended by  one woman’s blog post that was shared on Facebook about how much the Victoria’s Secret swim suit catalog offended her.  But I try to remember that a blog is that person exercising their freedom of speech and if I don’t like it, I should just not read it.   But…….just for the record, in case any of you were wondering.  I think she was being a bully and she has got it all wrong.  So, there.

So, moving on to what I finally decided to blog about.  Something that will help others.  I will admit that lately anytime I hear the phrase “clean eating” I cringe just a little bit. It seems these days I find it to be extremely obnoxious.  So, which foods are “clean” and which foods are “dirty”? That definition can vary so much from person to person.  To a vegan eating any type of animal product would not be considered “clean”, to a vegetarian chicken would not be considered “clean”.  Vegetables are clean, right?  Fruit, yes.  But to some bodybuilders fruit isn’t considered a “clean” food.  Cupcakes? Ah! no brainer, obviously fall under the “bad” category. But what if you’re only eating them for a special occasion? Why associate feelings of guilt with eating something in moderation? In my opinion I have more respect for the individual that can enjoy that sort of treat in moderation rather than the person that abstains from it entirely and avoids it like the plague.  So let’s stop saying clean eating already! Someone made a lot of money coining that phrase & good for them. I’m just ready for it to go away.  My nutrition philosophy is a constant and ever changing journey. What I once thought so strongly about a year ago I may no longer feel is a very good or healthy way of living. What I do know is that most things work best when they are balanced. Even the “healthiest” habits can become unhealthy when done in excess.  I struggle with this still.  I find it hard to take rest days from working out but I do it because I know it’s good for me.  Just to give you an idea of my struggles, the other night I ordered take out from Jason’s deli.  I got back in my car, looked in the bag and noticed that they accidently gave me a small bag of potato chips for my side instead of my side of fresh fruit that I had asked for.  Rather than have a mini panic attack (like I normally would have done) run back into Jason’s deli and frantically tell the cashier of their mistake, I decided not to.  I ate the potato chips, then I licked all the salt off my fingers because I love salt.  Guess what!  I’m still alive.  I didn’t wake up the next morning with a spare tire around my waist.  I know right!  Hard to believe.  Well, apparently when done in moderation those types of “dirty” foods can be, well……..OK.  Changing your eating habits doesn’t require you to give up those foods you love completely.  It may require you to cut them back significantly. But in doing that, you will enjoy and savor those trips to get some ice cream with your kids that much more when you know that you’ve spent the majority of the time fueling your body with healthier options.  Just like eating one healthy meal will NOT make you lose weight, eating one unhealthy meal wont make you gain weight.  So, now you might be wondering “how much is too much?”  Well, only you can determine that for yourself.  Some people actually have a higher metabolic rate and can get away with a little more than someone else.  Listen to your body.  Lots of fitness experts live by the 90/10 approach.  I personally think it’s a good one, but if you can get away with and are happy with your health by a 85/15 or 70/30 then by all means, do what works for you.  With a 90/10 approach an individual that eats approx 6 meals a day and also works out 4 out of those 7 days could indulge in 4 not so healthy meals without it derailing their fitness goals.  As always, if  you’re like me you might have a million more questions about this.  You can always message me if you want a little more insight on this.  I could talk about this all day long and never tire of it.

Stay Crazy, Healthy & Happy!