The winner of the POJO Yoga Mat, selected through random.org is
#16 Courtney: “I love Liz’s blog!! I read it all the time. She has told me about that protein shake…it looks deeelicious!!
Congrats Courtney! Email me within the next 48 hours and we’ll get your Pojo Mat to you. Thanks Liz for this awesome giveaway!
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{This post is about what works for me, I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject, I only write from personal experience and the things I’ve learned from it.}
I can’t tell you how many times I used to tell myself I couldn’t eat this or that. Or told myself I could only have one “sweet day” a week. Time after time, I’d lose control after about three days in, or go nuts on that said “sweet day.” I’d go for the sweetest thing in sight {or every sweet thing in sight} and over indulge. Then I’d feel sick. Then I’d feel guilty. Then I’d go run 5 miles. Then, I hated running.
Sound familiar?
It’s rather torturous. And it’s taught me a few things….
1) No restrictions = More Control
I can cut back on this or that, but complete restriction just doesn’t work for me. I have more control over what and how much I eat when I actually allow myself to eat it.
2) Control = Moderation
When I feel in control, I am more likely to make healthy food choices, exercise portion control and eat in moderation. An apple is satisfying. I don’t need two servings of pasta. I can stop at one lick of the brownie batter.
3) Moderation = No More Guilt
Speaking of brownie batter, it really is okay to lick it. And it really is okay to eat a brownie (or two) and not feel guilty. I shouldn’t feel guilty. We shouldn’t feel guilty! When overall, I eat healthy, exercise regularly and eat my brownies in moderation, I don’t feel guilty.
4) No More Guilt = Enjoying Exercise
I really love running when I’m not consumed with guilt for eating that brownie the night before. Every mile is torture. When I let go of the guilt, I enjoy running for me: how it makes me feel, what it does for my mood, mind, body, and overall health. I like to let my mind wander, clear my head. It feels really good and each mile flies by.
So there you have it. I guess, in a nutshell, I’ve learned that it’s all about balance. Eating healthy, eating the foods we love, and exercising. We can do it all, enjoy it all, and stop feeling guilty.
Have a great weekend friends. Monday, I bring you chocolate. Because I love it, and it’s okay to eat it!
I love everything you said! I definitely feel less guilty when I know I’m practicing moderation, and exercise is much more effective and enjoyable when I’m doing it to do it and not because I’m trying to “repent” for my eating habits 🙂
I can’t wait to start being able to exercise again. I miss my spin class and zumba. Your fit fridays make me excited to exercise!
I love running and eating too. It all balances out right?
Kristy, you are awesome, and that is such GREAT advice. I like what you said about how your attitude about going crazy with the sweets made you HATE running. I have so been there. You eat crappy, and so you go to bed knowing tomorrow you’re going to have to, “work it off.” The workout is almost like your punishment, which is so awful. I think you are SO right. Moderation in all things! Someone smart must have said that or something… 😉
You won my giveaway!!!
Email me….megolina21@gmail.com
you have said it all!! i’m still trying to figure out the happy balance.
This is all so true. Thanks for putting it in writing!
Ummm are those cookies that you made? If so, I’m looking forward to the recipe.
oh yeah – good advice too 🙂 Now, back to those cookies…
Totally agree but I’m still trying to like running. Could you share one time how you train for running building up endurance ect ect… thanks Nat
Totally agree but I’m still trying to like running. Could you share one time how you train for running building up endurance ect ect… thanks Nat
I couldn’t agree more…no restrictions = more control! Now, I just need one of those cookies. 🙂