Balance for Nutrition
Balance is incredibly important for a healthy lifestyle. Losing weight doesn’t have to mean eating a miserable restrictive diet. Instead, it’s about gaining knowledge about food, understanding what you eat, having a healthy relationship with food and knowing the best way to fuel your body for exercise. It shouldn’t feel restrictive, it should be well balanced, food should taste good, and it should make you feel fuller for longer. It’s also about maintaining those nice things in life. To make anything sustainable it has to be enjoyable. So whether its treats, chocolate, alcohol, nights out – the key isn’t to stop any of those that you enjoy – the key is to factor those in and account for them as part of a balanced, well rounded, sustainable lifestyle.
Some quick hints and tips that have helped me along my journey;
- Calculate your daily calorie and protein target based on your goals (weight loss, weight gain, weight maintenance etc). If you need help with this please just reach out and i'll calculate this for you.
- Monitor your calories by initially tracking what you eat and keeping a food diary. Use an app such as MyFitnessPal to help you do this. Ongoing I don't track all the time - usually 1 week in every 5 just to reset
- Again initially, measure and weigh what you eat and drink. This will take time at the beginning but soon it will become natural. Don’t become complacent over time and always sense check for ‘eye measurement creep’!
- Plan and track what you will eat and drink ahead of time – allow for treat calories in the same way you’d use a savings account and create a weekly calorie ‘bank’ (e.g. save up some calories during the week for the weekend).
- Including lots (and lots) of vegetables in your meals will add fibre to your diet – this will keep you fuller for longer.
- Drink water before every meal, or when you’re feeling hungry as it is easy to mistake hunger for thirst.
- Be aware of sauces, dressings, oils etc. – don’t avoid using these, but measure them to ensure you are eating the quantities you have allowed for.
- Don't cut out the things you enjoy - include them but allow for them
- Look for low calorie snacks, treats, crisps, alcohol etc. – there is a lot of choice out there, and you don’t have to compromise on taste.
- Use your weekly calorie ‘bank’, but still track what you eat or drink within your ’bank’ allowance. Again like a savings account – it is very easy to over spend!
- Don’t beat yourself up. We all have bad days and weeks, it’s normal. Let yourself fail sometimes, but then come back stronger. And remember, I’m here to help and support.
- Get plenty of rest and let your body recover and be ready to go again.
- And most importantly – enjoy the journey!