Hopefully you are enjoying Fitness Fridays thus far! I try to share things I believe will be helpful to anyone looking to lose weight or get fit as well as motivate someone who is trying to get started without overwhelming you. Today I’d like to talk with you a bit about my diet. I’ve always been a good dieter – I will read and learn about a program, do a bit of planning and then jump in like a champ! The pounds fall off and I’m happy…until I abandon the “diet.” I’m not anti the word diet or even the concept – there are times when restricting yourself is the best option to shed unwanted lbs quickly or even jump start your workout routine. However, being that I have been successful at sticking to a diet but unsuccessful at keeping the weight off I decided not to follow any specific eating plan this time around.
Since I have no explicit guidelines, I began changing my diet by limiting sugary drinks and eating more meals at home. Nothing is off limits, but I do everything in moderation. So, I eat mainly chicken, fish, shrimp and ground turkey since they are low in fat but I still cook beef and pork if I want it. I love to cook, but hate cleaning up the kitchen so I use my George Foreman grill quite often. No dirty pots or pans and I store the food either in foil or ziploc bags to eliminate dirty Tupperware. Vegetables are either grilled or steamed using microwavable steam bags (whether frozen or fresh). Other good options are baking or broiling and this winter I’ll break out the CrockPot. The key for me is planning and prepping. I can’t wait until I’m starving and have a craving for Mexican food to start my meal!
Okay nothing I’ve said thus far is groundbreaking – most people know what they should be eating to clean up their diet and have heard these tips before. What may be slightly different about my approach to meal planning and cooking is my thought process. Instead of simply picking something I know is healthy and will help me to lose weight I say to myself: “If I were going to eat out, what would I order?” I cook things I LOVE and attempt to create a meal that I would pay for. I try not to make something boring because I may eat it one day then opt for Chinese takeout instead of the leftovers the other days. When I make something tasty, I’m excited so grabbing fast food never enters my mind! I balance making meals I’ve had before with at least two new recipes per month to keep myself inspired. The pleasurable aspect of food doesn’t exist for some people; they eat only when they are hungry and out of necessity. I’m not one of those people!!! So, cooking and eating this way gives me both pleasure and health.
There are a few blogs that provide healthy recipes that I browse when searching for new meal ideas, I love the fact that they all include the nutritional data! Here are my favorites:
Skinny Chef – Her recipes are usually quick and easy, plus she provides the Weight Watchers point value along with the nutritional information.
Fit Foodie Ele – She is my soror and I am slightly obsessed with her Instagram. Ele’s meals look so freakin delectable and she shares her personal fitness journey on her blog along with recipes.
Picky Eater Blog - Anjali has a really unique story, she grew up eating healthy, wholesome and organic but married someone who grew up eating white and fast-food. After the wedding she taught herself to cook so she could provide tasty, yet healthy food for she and her husband.
Between the blogs, magazines (Cooking Light and Real Simple are my faves), and my own recipes – I’m never bored with my food and always have something tasty yet healthy.
Just like my philosophy with hair, I’m not anti-anything. I’m not downing diets by any means because I will be the first to say, they work. However, they just don’t work best for ME in the long run, so I’m just sharing my personal journey. Have a fabulous weekend!
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