Get your ass in shape - Start with a clean diet!
I’ve had quite a few requests for diets, cleanses and tricks to get in shape for the summer. Here is my low down.
FOOD:
- Start with your mind. Whatever your dietary choices are, commit to being kind to yourself, taking responsibility and making it enjoyable. Create a healthy relationship between you and your food.
- Be realistic. Nothing elicits a yo-yo diet like trying to drop 5 lbs in a week or attempting to have a body that isn’t within your reach in a healthy fashion.
- Long term lifestyle choices. I think restricting yourself for a period of time creates a unhealthy mindset around food. Making lifestyle choices to simply be a healthy person and a healthy eater, not just for a week or a month, is where I’ve found long and lasting happiness with my mind and body.
- Feel abundant. Instead of focusing on all the things that you can’t have, get excited about all of the amazing, nutritious foods that you’ve welcomed in. No more donuts? Well what about gluten free, fruit sweetened, high protein muffins? It’s what you eat not necessarily how much you eat.
- Never go hungry. It’s just wrong. I’m not sure how hunger ever became anyone’s answer to weight loss but it’s not the right one. Remember that time you decided to skip on calories even though you were hungry and then ended up pigging out later? If your body needs energy give it energy, just choose clean energy. Also starving yourself and becoming hangry is a great way to throw yourself in to over eating. I like to always have a snack on me to keep from getting too ferocious. Justin’s Almond Butter packets are high in protein, fiber, good fats (that burn your fat) and super satisfying.
- Are you really hungry? Is it your body that needs food or if your mind playing tricks on you? Stress, boredom, fatigue and other emotions are often misinterpreted as hungry. Take a moment to pause, take a few deep breathes, think about your energy output vs. input and ask yourself if your body really needs energy.
- Follow your cravings: Eat from your body not from your mind. Suddenly having visions of cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets? Don’t attempt to suffice the craving with kale and cucumbers. Your body is telling you it needs protein. Maybe settle for a piece of wild fish or go for a free range burger. Craving a coke and a kit kat is just your mind talking and your body is really just looking for something else. Tune in and find out what your body is asking for.
- The goods. Think of your body as a very, very expensive, rare, unique car that needs high octane fuel. What you put in is what you get out. Try to include as many vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, lean vegetable based (or organic meat) proteins as possible. Avoid or limit refined foods, sugars, starches, simple carbs, and anything with ingredients that would confuse a small child.
A day in the life: This is an (ideal) example of what I like to chow down on throughout the day when I’m getting a moderate amount of exercise (2 hours skiing or a power yoga class) and I’m trying to stay in shape:
7 am Drink as much water as is comfortable. Usually 1/2 liter.
8 am Power Green Smoothie: 1/2 C. Frozen berries, 1/2 banana, 1 C unsweetened hemp or almond milk, 1 tsp. Real Food. Real Life Powdered Greens., 1 T. chia seeds, 1 t. hemp seeds
9 am Coffee and second breakfast - Small bowl of oatmeal with your favorite toppings (nuts, seeds, fruit, homemade jam, plain organic yogurt)
12 pm Homemade soup and/or salad filled with lots of cleansing vegetables: Cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, avocado, carrots, garlic, ginger, broccoli, etc. Vegetable Protein: beans, quinoa, lentils
3 pm Justin’s Almond Butter Alone or with an apple or rice cake. Or hummus and steamed vegetables
7 pm Wild Salmon with a side of steamed broccoli and quinoa or wild rice. Small serving of coconut ice cream or dark chocolate for desert.
The premise of this diet is mainly to feed your body the most nutrient dense food possible. About 40% vegetable 15% fruit and 30% lean protein 10% healthy fats and 5% cheating on whatever floats your boat. Every person is different. Eat what sounds good. Tune in to your body. Get stoked about making some dank, delicious, high octane meals . Get even more stoked as you energy levels increase, you shed unneeded weight and you feel beautiful inside and out.
xox
Sierra
