Why a Healthy Relationship with Food is Key to a Stress-Free Fitness Journey
Hey Angels and Alphas,
It’s pretty much impossible to be completely fit and healthy if you’re not in some way at peace with your relationship with food. Whether it’s allowing yourself to eat the foods you love or fitting in fitness sessions into your busy schedule, it’s all about balance. This article will teach you why having the right attitude towards fitness will help you achieve your goals faster and more enjoyably.
Stop beating yourself up
Instead of punishing yourself for not having as much willpower or dedication as you think other people do, try giving yourself credit for how far you’ve come in making this positive change. Be kind and forgiving to yourself when things don’t go your way. We all have times where we crave comfort foods or overeat, but that doesn’t mean you should use it as an excuse for avoiding the changes you know are good for you.
Remember that everyone’s experience is different, so what might work for some people might not work for others. If punishing yourself won’t help motivate you, then try rewarding your efforts by finding healthy ways to feel good about what you’ve accomplished! When it comes down to it, when will all of our goals ever be met if we are constantly stressing ourselves out?
Avoid falling into the trap of unhealthy eating patterns
A common trap people fall into when starting their fitness journey is falling into unhealthy eating patterns. As the number of pounds or inches lost, or any other progress is made, people often push themselves harder in an effort to get further and faster.
This usually leads to three things: unsustainable eating habits, loss of focus on all other aspects of health (aka losing sight of goals), and increased stress as people feel like they are losing control over their body.
How to find your sweet spot
Finding your sweet spot means committing to lifestyle changes that feel right for you and you can realistically commit to. A commitment that balances health and fitness while still giving you the room to indulge in some guilty pleasures.
It is important that this balance works for you and fits into your life, not the other way around. You don’t need to be perfect 100% of the time but strive for consistency because it will get easier over time. Eventually, it won’t even feel like work but part of your daily routine!
Take care of yourself first
It is critical that you take care of yourself. The human body needs rest and replenishment in order to get stronger. This includes sleep, proper nutrition, hydration, and exercise. By prioritizing your well-being, you are setting the foundation for continued success on your fitness journey. You will feel more energized, refreshed, and motivated in your daily life!
Along with that it will also increase your accountability because you know deep down that you are doing this for yourself not just some random goal that won’t have any implications on who you are as an individual or what lifestyle choices you make moving forward. After all there’s nothing more motivating than feeling amazing about yourself!
Journaling can help you improve your relationship with food
What are some ways you can do to help improve your relationship with food?
When you eat, how often do you think about how many calories and grams of fat are in what you’re eating? How many hours did it take for that piece of cake to pass your lips? If this sounds like something you do often, I want you know that there are healthier ways to think about these things.
One way would be not focusing on the negative aspects. That would involve avoiding calorie counters, weighing yourself daily or constantly focusing on exercise and progress at all times. Instead, find reasons for things going well—like when an old piece of clothing starts fitting again. I also encourage doing something each day that makes your body feel good.