As I sit and write this post I am thinking back on a summer of excess! We have had lots of visitors; lots of chatting over a glass, lots of yummy meals, lots of treats. Not very much exercise! It has been wonderful, however I don’t think my body has enjoyed it too much!
But, I don’t do diets. I’ve tried, they don’t work. I simply end up obsessing, which makes me crave.
After spending my twenties failing to learn this lesson, my thirties saw me finally understanding that daily life is simply a balance; depriving myself is counter productive, enjoying everything in moderation is key.
Now in my forties, I feel better than I ever have.
I eat healthily, I don’t deny myself chocolate or cheese or wine (insert your own personal favourites here!); but neither do I do any of these to excess. I excercise, I’m active, and I certainly expend more energy than I take in.
If I have a ‘bad’ day (or summer!), I don’t beat myself up. In fact, I don’t use the word ‘bad’. I’ve not been bad, I’ve indulged perhaps, but food is not bad, and I am certainly not bad for enjoying some of the good stuff.
I simply get back on track, when life permits.
I believe I have a healthy attitude to food. I believe I have a healthy attitude to excercise.
It works for me.
I have been very conscious of passing this attitude on to my kids. They eat well, they eat a variety of good foods.
They also eat chocolate. And sweets. And have the odd Happy Meal.
While I might prefer them to choose better options when they want a ‘treat’, I will not make a big deal out of the odd request for a soda or a burger.
I want them to make good choices.
I don’t want them to crave sweets because they can’t have them.
I do want them to love exercise simply because it is an everyday part of their lives.
The may have juice instead of water; they may not particularly like milk; they may each turn their noses up at a particular vegetable.
But, they also eat fruit till it’s coming out their ears. My 5yo’s favourite food is broccoli. My 8yo loves sushi. And the wee girl thinks cakes look pretty, but won’t actually eat one.
So many of us end up with an unhealthy relationship with food. I feel very lucky that, other than many random failed diets in my twenties, I never developed any food hang ups.
I worry so much for my kids; seeing airbrushed images of perfect people, being taught by the media to aspire to an unrealistic ideal.
We are all different, and we all have to find our own ‘balance’ point. The one where we are both healthy and happy.
That is what I want for my children. To be healthy and happy.
To enjoy food, to enjoy life; to enjoy everything, in moderation :)
You can find this weeks #ThePrompt linky here. I do hope this topic inspired you; I look forward to reading your posts.
Fab post Sara, it really does sound like struck the perfect balance! As you know it’s very difficult in my household with all our exclusions. This is why I’m putting my faith in GAPS – hopefully a year or so of this will mean we can start having everything…in moderation of course :-)
This sounds very sensible. It sounds like you have a really healthy attitude, by which I mean you allow yourself and kids ‘non healthy’ food sometimes – I totally agree that it’s better that way!
Oh yes yes yes. I couldn’t agree more and I think I have only been able to make peace with this. I know I need to exercise more in order to outweigh the indulgences here and there. I cannot live without wine or cheese (and many more). Sounds like you’re setting a wonderful philosophy and lifestyle for your kids and I firmly approve xx
Such a healthy attitude you and your children have to food. Absolutely, diets won’t work – they just make you miserable and then you gain more than you lost. Such a vicious cycle. Much better to try to have a bit of everything you enjoy and try to achieve a balance (and one day I will achieve that balance myself!) #ThePrompt
This is great! I try to adhere to this, too. Denial usually leads to overindulging in the very thing I was avoiding. Great post!
So true! I hope my DD will grow up and adopt some of my healthy ones (and ignore the bad ones). Let’s hope. :)
Sounds like you have a really good, healthy outlook on food and life :)
Absolutely Sara, couldn’t agree more! We also have a healthy attitude to food in our house. I am very fortunate to have a very quick metabolism but ultimately, I really enjoy my snacks. I admit that I rarely have time for a ‘proper’ lunch on weekdays and am always but always ravenous come tea-time. Our little bear also eats fruit as if it’s going out of fashion and rare is the time when we say ‘no’ chocolate or crisps with the tone of voice that no means no! Like I say, I’m fortunate to never having to consciously strictly diet but in my opinion they don’t work anyway. Everything in moderation indeed :)
Oh, this is great. Yes, a lot of us do have an unhealthy relationship with food. We rush around too fast. I’ve never been on a diet to lose weight, but I’ve been on a few to try and gain and I find the more I think about food, the worse everything seems. I also believe denial makes is unhappy, and we don’t need to be making ourselves even more unhappy in this world.
Very thought provoking x
Sometimes you’ve just got to walk the middle line – we all need balance in our lives – I believe that is the best way. X
Great post and you’re so right, there’s always something in th e news about what the latest study says is bad for you and they always contradict each other. Everything in moderation definitely makes sense to me, and the only diet I have ever been successful at was based on the origianl ww points system, and it worked because I could eat whatever I wanted, and the points values just reminded to stick to the ‘moderation’ point! xx #brilliantblogposts
Love this post and your positive attitude to food. I have eaten in excess this summer and put on weight so time to return to the way of eating that suits me, a low not no carb diet. I have PCOS so the specialist and dr have recommended this is best! I’ve had lots of hang up’s over my weight in the past but meeting my husband in my early 20’s helped, the pressure returned after kids (from myself not him) as it takes me longer than average to lose but on the whole I’m in a good place. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts x