“Food is fuel for our resolutions.”
I really wish I could take credit for that line, but I can’t. I hear clever things and wish I had somehow been inspired to say it first. Like “Oh snap, that’s such a smart thought.” but this time, alas, no.
Interestingly enough, I heard it on a commercial for weight loss recently.
Ahhh isn’t that what January is all about? Weight loss, detox, cleanse, eat fake food posing as food, torture yourself, and suffer while you starve and put your body through hell only to return to your former way of doing things?
This commercial was pretty much making fun of all of that. And the way my writer brain works it only takes a line or a casual conversation with someone to get my creative ideas rolling.
In starting a new year off one of the most common things I think we all hear is about making “resolutions”.
By way of quick review, resolution means “a firm decision to do or not do something”.
I do not make resolutions, I set goals.
You can see from the definition that resolution is definitely something very subjective to change based on our current feelings, moods or emotions.
In contrast, goals are defined as the object of a persons ambition or effort, an aim or a desired result.
Goals are specific and intentional.
So goal setting is definitely the more preferred way to go as opposed to resolutions which are more subject to change with our emotions or shifting feelings of not wanting to do something once the novelty has worn off.
I wrote a post on goals vs. resolutions last year. You can find it here…. https://sassyfitnesschick.com/2016/01/01/new-year-goals-not-resolutions/
That all being said, the take on the commercial I saw was that we need to stop treating food in such a negative way and embrace it for what it can do for us. January should be a time to celebrate a new year full of adventure, not torture our bodies by depriving them of food or suffering through other perceived ways to lose weight.
This might come as a startling reminder to you but… you really… truly.. don’t have to suffer and deprive yourself to lose weight and get on a healthier lifestyle path.
Really.
Food is fuel. Fuel allows us to do all the cool things we wanna do. Hence, the “food is fuel for our resolutions” line.
Food lets me run, cycle and lift heavy things. It lets me do daily tasks with ease and gives me energy to enjoy my kids and grandkids. It helps me run up and down my attic access with big totes lifted over my head and carry 40lb bags of salt to the water softener.
Food does all the same things for you. It’s the types of foods we choose to eat that determine how lean we stay or how good we feel.
When I’m eating foods that I know are healthy and good for me, I feel more energetic. It doesn’t take being off my normal eating very long for me to feel it. I like that. It’s a reminder from my body that “Hey! we are doing things differently now days. What are you doing ?”
If you aren’t used to eating healthier foods, it may take some time for you to adjust. A slow gradual shift will help you in the process of changing your eating patterns. Don’t try it all at once. Slow gradual changes will lead to long term success and that is what you want… long term success. Not a quick fix or temporary loss.
Healthier foods build you from the inside out not only giving you energy in your daily life but keeping you lean too.
So the question that begs to be asked is….
How are you going to fuel your resolutions or goals? Will you be feeding your body in a different manner that will support them? Are you willing to make the changes necessary for that success all year long and not just in January?
Yes! I’m so ready to do this. Where do I start?
Be willing to experiment with new food or make healthier exchanges. Understand it won’t happen all at one time.
Have a willingness to try new things. Don’t decide you don’t “like” something if you’ve never even tried it.
Keep a food log of what you eat. Note new things you try and your thoughts.
Don’t vilify foods or food groups. Unless you have a real medical condition or allergies there is no reason to not enjoy a variety of foods from all food groups.
Keep your goals in mind. Set something concrete out before yourself to strive for. Maybe adding one or two new fruits or vegetables a week to your meals or learning to cook a familiar one in a new way. Perhaps you might try a meatless meal or experiment with a new recipe.
Cooking at home will always allow you to control what you eat and what goes into it. Don’t be afraid of getting out of your comfort zone with new healthy foods.
With some time and patience you will be on the way to changing your eating and taking steps to fuel your goals in a healthier way.
Do you have any healthy tried and true food tips to share?
sassyfitnesschick 