Mind or Body?

After my 1^st session with my trainer, she asked me to keep a log of all I ate. First off, she picked the worst time for this as it was restaurant week and I had been looking forward to eating 3 course meals at fancy restaurants for $35!

I figured I would eat healthy during the day and excuse myself at night. But I could not figure out what healthy was; One boiled egg? Greek yogurt?  Rice and stew? With each day, I tried so hard in the morning but by afternoon I was so upset that I would eat everything and this did not affect my wonderful dinners. lol

I use this app called My Fitness Pal. It has a vast list of food options including Nigerian foods and their nutritional information (I mostly pay attention to the calories). I was supposed to eat 1500 calories/day but by the time I logged my meals it was so embarrassing.  I was over by 300-500 each day

Luckily during session 2, we did not have enough time to get to my log. I then decided to take a step back and not change everything. Instead I started with just my portions and switching my drinks to water with lemons. I must confess the first 7-10 days felt like I was starving myself but then I started feeling like my body was getting just what it needed. Soon it became easier to recognize how much to eat without the app. I still log it but don’t dwell on it

So chances are you just thought “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” and I sure did too until I read Michael Matthews (Author of Fit is the new Skinny) compare ignoring your calories to driving cross country and choosing to ignore your gas tank. See I learned most of your look is what you eat and a calorie simply measures how much energy is in a food. Simple math: Calorie burned > Calorie in = Better looking you

The real challenge came at Yosade’s wedding (Picture above… and a random food pic to make my point. haha) During the cocktail hour, dream it and they were serving it on a platter. I was so sure I was going to give in, but I grabbed a plate and based on my new experience I grabbed just what I needed.  The food was great and I was full. In the same token I watched everyone else eat everything they could lay their hands on.  Right then It clicked; Mind and body are not on the same page. In your mind you need to have it all and you need it now… when your body is really just asking for enough to keep it going. What will you choose…Mind or body?