I remember when I first started my health journey. This differs from my body awareness journey because I can remember organizing my mom’s cabinets by fat gram content and trying every diet from Atkins to Slim Fast, but I don’t consider that healthy. My true health journey didn’t begin until after college. Right around graduation actually.
Banana and coffee. Green Monster. Egg scramble on a mini wheat bagel half.
It started with walking, then jogging attempts. It started with Lean Cuisines, then counting calories. I enjoy looking back because I can see how far I’ve come on my personal journey of healthy living and how much I’ve learned. Contrary to what some may think, I can honestly say I’ve never been more relaxed about food choices and exercise than I am now.
2.75 sweaty midday miles accomplished with thanks to Kilo Ali radio (not child appropriate)
I used to eat by certain rules. IE: Lunch must have less than ___ number of fat grams. Must eat only ____ calories each day. Must burn ____ number of calories on the elliptical and I won’t stop until I do. Then, I must make sure dinner does not exceed calories burned by the oh-so-accurate (insert eye roll) calories burned feature on the machine. Disordered eating? Maybe, but I just figured it was a girl thing.
For someone who is self-proclaimed math-challenged, I sure made myself mess with a lot of numbers.
As I progressed I began to follow more simple “rules”; Michael Pollan’s rules. Eat food (REAL food, not processed package garbage). Not too much (listen to when my body says I’m full). Mostly plants (bring on the veggies).
Leftover roasted chicken on sourdough with spinach, ranch and Texas Pete. Carrots and hummus on the side.
I also learned flexibility. As you can see from what I eat- I’m not a perfect and strict eater. I really enjoy martinis, hot wings, pizza. But now I don’t try to calculate how many calories might be in these (PS- just try and enjoy hot wings and bleu cheese after you google their calorie content because I can assure you, it’s impossible).
Snack. Roasted sweet potato sticks, shared with Hailey.
I’m not sure what the point of this post really is. Maybe to just share with you how I view healthy eating. Sometimes on WIAW’s (Thanks, JENN for hosting!) I feel like you only get a snapshot (literally and figuratively) of what my eating habits are like, and today I wanted to elaborate.
Homemade chicken salad on spinach with roasted red pepper and tomato soup. Sourdough with pepper jack.
And for the record, I have nothing against counting calories. I think it’s an awesome tool to help get you back on track. In fact, 411fit has really helped me see where I need to make improvements from time to time. But as my everyday way of living, I focus on eating whole foods… when I’m hungry. It’s really that simple.
What’s your food philosophy?
Christina says
My comment is not specifically related to today’s post, but I wanted to tell you how much I love your homemade whole wheat pizza dough recipe! I try to always have some in my freezer. My husband and I had homemade pizza last night (mozzerella, green pepper, and purple onion, our favorite comb!) It really satisfies our pizza craving, and I feel good knowing I made the dough myself and control the other ingredients. Thanks! 🙂
Brittany says
Awesome, so glad you like it!! I need to go add it to my recipe page, so thanks for the reminder 🙂
Erica says
I haven’t listened to Kilo Ali since High School!
My food philosophy is pretty simple: eat real food. Lots of colors. Don’t drink calories and listen to your body!
Brittany says
I brought back Kilo on my way to my high school reunion and now crack up laughing listening to all the old songs that pop up on the station. I also shake my head at all the terrible lyrics!
Amber at Love, Laugh, Live Well says
I follow a pretty similar food philosophy as you. Basically moderation and smart choices, but you have to indulge now and then (if you don’t then you just over indulge once you finally do). I think too many people think about eating healthy in only the diet sense, instead of looking at it as a lifestyle or habit change. 🙂
Maria says
Oh gosh, this brings back memories.I used to live off o the Lean Cusine and Healthy Choice pizzas in college. And, would spend hours on the elliptical, barely breaking a sweat, trying to get up to 500 calories burned (I was on there for a looong time). I would have never guessed that at 28, I’d be in better shape than I was back then, even though I’m about 8 pounds heavier. Looking back is a great way to remind you of how far you’ve come.
Brittany says
Haha, I used to try and workout without sweating, too. I blame my thick, unruly hair! But seriously, what were we thinking??
Lisa says
I definitely follow a pretty similar philosophy you do. Mostly I eat real food, mostly plant based, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats with the moderate amount of indulgences in wine or drinks every now and again:)
Brittany says
WIne should be a basic building black in the healthy living food pyramid IMO 😉
Hanna A. says
I LOVE this post! I’m in the middle of making a lifestyle change to eat less packaged/processed foods and more “clean” foods. It’s hard to do sometimes but I love how much better I feel when I do eat clean. So, right now my food philosophy is to drink mostly water, eat at least two fruits and veggies a day. It doesn’t sound hard but on my busiest days it’s challenging!
Brittany says
Sounds like you’re on a great path! Having mini goals like a certain amount of water or a veggie goal definitely helped (and still helps) me!
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
It’s like I’m reading everything floating in my head and you put it into words. For YEARS, I have obsessed about numbers and food rules and nothing has worked. I am almost at a 30 lb weight loss and when I get asked how i’m doing it, no one believes me when I say I’m not doing anything. I eat what I want, stop when I’m full and chilled the eff out about calories and food rules. I’m enjoying food and even desserts again and feel so free and happy 🙂
Brittany says
I love the way you’ve gone about your weight loss and you should be so proud! I hope you’re sharing it with everyone you can because you are proof that listening to your body works!
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
I’ve had a similar process (from obsessive to relaxed), and looking back is nice! I, too, eat when I am hungry…and just try to make “healthy” choices rather than low-cal or low-fat foods. I’ll still try to choose oatmeal instead of french toast, but for different reasons.
Sunnie(moderngirlnutriton) says
I love Michael’s book! What a great post:) And as usual, your meals look amazing:)
Brittany from CountingMyCupcakes says
I counted calories, and was completely obsessed with it, for about the past two years. It wasn’t until about a month ago that I decided while counting really does help me eat consciously, opposed to mindlessly, it was preventing me from enjoying food like I should. Since I counted for so long, I have a much better understanding of how much a real serving size is and now I can make the right choices without having to count. I usually have a rough estimate in my head as I put meals together, but do not keep track meal-by-meal like I used to. I have found that I am enjoying each meal even more now and I am eating just as healthfully as before. Like you, I try to focus on fruits and veggies as the center of the meal. Then of course allow some splurging on the weekends 🙂
blackhuff says
You have come a long way and it’s great that you are now more relaxed about your eating and training. It takes time to reach this stage.
I too am now where you are. Am more relaxed about my eating (past = counting calories).
Jessie says
I’m so proud of you all you’ve achieved hunnie. You’ve come such a long way, and I couldn’t be happier for you :)… ohh & of course all your meals look absolutely delicious.. as always!!
Anne Kendall says
Thank you so much for this post! I’m still just beginning my healthy-living and weight-loss journeys, so I’m still figuring out what works best for me — which is continually changing! It’s so refreshing to read your blog daily and see how calm, cool, and collected you are about what you and your family eat. I’m only trying to feed myself at this point, but it’s still not always easy to get out of the same-meals-every-week and the calorie-counting ruts. Thanks for the inspiration and the slew of recipes to try!
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Love your philosophy! Mine is to stay active, eat real food, and live in the moment. It’s worked for me thus far.