Learning How to Eat

There are so many different ways people choose to eat to tailor to their mind's way of eating the most healthy way possible. I hear about paleo, gluten free, vegetarian, no carbs, no dairy, no grain, etc. etc. etc. The messages are overwhelming and quite frankly, get VERY annoying. I see it on Facebook, Pinterest, TV, and in the grocery store. 

The one piece of information that stays consistent through all of these ideas on what to eat is this: MEAL PREP. I have said it before and I say it again: Plan what you are going to eat a week in advance. Knowing what you are going to pack for lunch will eliminate the need to scrounge your office for food or spontaneously buy food from somewhere nearby (which is usually not a place that offers healthy & fresh snacks). 

Today I had a great lesson from the trainer at our gym. After a sweaty and intense spin class, I had to find out about her thoughts on meal planing. The very first thing she told me was to get the MyFitnessPal app if I hadn't already (which I have). We opened up my app and talked about the food I logged yesterday. Immediately she saw red flags with my choices. Here is what I learned:

I'm not eating enough. Not enough calories. Not enough fat. Not enough carbs. Not enough protein. All of the things I have always thought I had to limit as much as possible. But in fact, when I am working out as hard as I am, my body needs these things in my daily intake in order to keep myself fueled. Who would have thought I would go to spin class to burn the fat and walk out of class with the notion that I need to EAT MORE. I think I can get used to this new lifestyle.

BE THE BEST YOU.