Blog #15: New Food Resolutions

 

Ever heard of the “Freshman 15”? If not, when teenagers go off to college in the US, in their first year, they are called Freshman and inevitably, they gain about 15 pounds due to their first time in life without mommy’s cooking and meal plans with endless buffets, etc. You mean I can have soft swirl ice cream after every meal if I want to? Yes, please! Well, along these lines, the latest phrase that has been coined is the “Covid 15”. Yup, you guessed it. That dreaded weight gain from sitting around at home and snacking while watching Netflix (or lets be real- too many glasses of wine!), for the past, oh…..YEAR. For me, it's the “Covid 13” and I’ve now been out of steady work for 13 months. Go figure. It’s not exactly known to be an auspicious number. Let it be known that I am not  proud of either one of these facts. I’m not an idle person by nature and I always stay around the same weight with about a 5 pound fluctuation so basically, last year kicked my ass. 

I do take the slightest bit of comfort in knowing that I was/am not alone. This pandemic has been tough on everyone, in different ways, and we all know that food provides a certain amount of comfort. Food is often a way of showing love. Food is somewhat consistent and it doesn't talk back. Food can be an instant pleasure. Food is there for you when no one or nothing else is. This is why our relationship to food is so important. 

I’m a fairly healthy person. No chronic diseases. No addictions. I’ve been told I don’t look my age. I’ve never been a “skinny girl” but I’ve never been overweight. However, now, I’m starting to push the envelope so what better time than a new year to take a good look in the mirror and then a good look inside to see what's going on and how to fix it? Honestly, I’ve never been on a diet in my entire life and I don’t think that’s going to start now. In reality, aren’t diets only quick fixes? I’ve always believed in moderation. Eat what you want and drink what you want, but in moderation. It’s worked so far! However, I do break this rule more frequently when I’m a little down or lonely or feel like the world is ending so, needless to say, some rules went out the window in 2020!!

As far as working out goes, I’m not a gym rat…never will be. We just have to be realistic with ourselves about some things. I do LOVE a good zumba, salsa, or yoga class though and miss taking classes such as those, immensely. Working out has never helped me lose weight (because it makes me hungrier and I eat more!) but it gives me energy, stamina, and positivity so for all of these reasons, I think it’s extremely important! I went on more hikes in 2020 than I ever have in my life but unfortunately, it doesn't show. However, I know that it helped my overall feeling and ability to stay mentally afloat. 

As we come into this new year, which will probably get harder before it gets easier, I am implementing some basic rules for myself which I think will be attainable. If you have been battling anything similar to what I’ve mentioned, I encourage you to do the same! 

SCHEDULE: Wake up and alternate between working out and writing, first thing in the morning, for 6 days (so, 3 days of each) and take one day off. Yesterday, I worked out. Today, I’m writing (hhiiiiieeeee!). My workouts these days consist of either a combination of the treadmill and yoga or just yoga. There are so many great yoga instructional videos on youtube that make it easy to work out in the comfort of your home. I am very lucky to have a treadmill at my access as well. I always end every workout with stretching because it brings together the mind and body and just feels good. There are some lovely tree lined streets in my neighborhood so I’m going to start adding speed walks to my evenings as well. It’s crazy how conscious you have to be of just moving your body when you are out of work. I love walking, dancing, moving, being active in general…it just takes effort to build it into our days sometimes. Set yourself a reachable goal and just do it! 

GROCERY SHOPPING: Now here’e where the food comes in. How we shop and what we buy is everything, especially at a time when eating out is so rare (crazy to think about touring and how every single meal was eaten out for huge chunks of my life!). If you don’t have that highly caloric and fatty food just calling your name from the fridge, you’re not going to eat it, right? So, here are the adjustments that I am going to make, starting this week. I will not be buying bread, pasta, chips, red meat, pork or sweets (minus the occasional ice cream purchase which I will eat in proper portion sizes when I indulge) when I am at the grocery store. This does NOT mean I am cutting these foods out completely! It just means that I’ll save it for my take out order or my infrequent restaurant visits (and it will feel like such a treat!). There are so many yummy things to be made with chicken, turkey, fish, veg, brown rice, quinoa, lentils, spices, etc, etc!! These are actually just a few items and yet I know that they will make a huge difference. Also, I have done this before, not just for a moment in time, but for years, so, I know that it is attainable. Oh, and maybe I’ll go through one bottle of wine a week, rather than 3. ;) Notice I have said nothing about cheese. I said, make the goals ATTAINABLE. Don’t mess with this girl and her cheese.

So tell me, what are your “New Food Resolutions”? Even if it’s one small adjustment, you might see big results! If you want to help hold me accountable and vice versa, please share in the comments below! We can do this! We got this! It’s time to shed that Covid 15 (13)!!! 

Just remember, keep your goals attainable. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Small, digestible bites. Happy New Year, everyone. Keep it real and keep it positive! With Love, @Undiscovered_Foodie