why i eat

Before we get started, please note that I will be talking about diet culture and food issues in this post.

So, if that is a trigger for you, tap out and come back for the next one.

A healthy relationship with food is all I want for you. 🫶🏼 You've got this! 💪🏼

I shared a what I eat in a day a few weeks ago

THIS ONE

and in the caption it read...

from a girl who actually eats

eating to nourish

eating to build muscle

eating to fuel my day

eating for joy

& I want to elaborate on that a bit.

Eating is one of my favorite things to do.

Absolute favorite things.

I thoroughly enjoy creating in the kitchen, enjoying the flavors in the meal and the act of sharing it with those I love.

It is often how I show love to my people.

My relationship with food hasn't always been incredible, but I've been lucky to never really struggle with it either.

Food should be an enjoyable experience for people but often time isn't.

I don't have the most knowledge out there when it comes to this, but as a health coach, I do have a few things I'd like to share that I believe can help mend your relationship with food if you're struggling.

I'm pretty sure if you've been paying attention to any form of media over the past month, you will have noticed all of the talk around diet and weight loss.

Setting goals, getting back on track and getting into shape.

I loathe this time of year for that reason. There is always so much pressure put on us with all the new year, new me shenanigans.

Thankfully, diet culture has never really affected me.

But as a coach, it scares me!

Terrifies me.

More often than not, my clients come to me with some pretty difficult emotions surrounding food.

We have just got it so wrong throughout the years.

Diet culture and food rules have flooded our information systems.

Do "X", achieve "X".

Achieve "X", become worthy of "X".

Eff that.

That's not happiness.

Happiness is eating when you want.

Eating what you want.

Enjoying your food.

Loving your body.

& while I LOVE a good overhaul, a great success story and a healthy body...

There are so many ways to get there other than a crash diet, restricting calories or following unobtainable "food rules".

I'm just going to say it.

I HATE DIET CULTURE.

Hate it.

However, I LOVE eating for health. (physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.)

& guess what, that can change from season to season.

& what is healthy for one person is not healthy for the next.

What may feel restrictive for one person may be the reason the next person feels good.

I'm going to let you in on a secret.

No one diet fits all.

Wow. Earth shattering. 🤯

So, when you see all these "rules" thrown out in front of you, I want you to do me a favor...

REMIND YOURSELF YOU ARE NOT THAT PERSON.

They have a completely different genetic makeup, way of life, gut biome, home environment, set of responsibilities, etc.

On the flip side, if you are like my husband and it is loud and clear that gluten is causing you issues, try cutting it out and see if you feel better.

Some of his symptoms went away in as little as two days!

There is a balance and it is up to ourselves to find it.

To experiment with what works and what doesn't.

To find homeostasis.

For me, it took years to be able to consume the amount of protein I do now. & it still isn't in the range I would "like" it to be, but it is trending in the right direction.

We all have our own needs.

I think it's time we stop placing judgment on others for their "food rules" and start paying attention to our symptoms to get to the bottom of what is causing issues for us.

Finding the balance between saying no because it doesn't make us feel good and saying yes because we want to be included/want instant gratification is so hard.

I don't have a special formula for you or a way to make it easier.

But ultimately, I think it comes down to two things.

1. Deciding we are sick of our own bullshit.

2. Making the decision.

That's it, really.

The control is in us.

When it comes to food, the #1 thing I preach to my clients is adding instead of removing.

Guess what happens when you start adding more nutritionally dense food to your diet?

You naturally start replacing some of the empty calories with more nutrients.

I recommend making a list of all the vegetables you like.

Then buy one of them, find a few ways to cook it that you enjoy and in a few week repeat the process with something else.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY

Your body is YOUR body. It does not operate the same way as the person beside you.

Tune in, pay attention to symptoms and make adjustments to help you feel better.

Micro changes daily add up to big picture health.

eating to nourish

eating to build muscle

eating to fuel my day

eating for joy

{& I'm going to add one more}

eating for her 🫶🏼

Hope you all are having a happy day!

As always, feel free to reach out whenever.

Like, comment and share this post.

It really helps me out more than you know.

Thanks for being here. 🫶🏼

xoxo

Kirsten ☀️