We’ve all been there right? Tell me I’m not alone in purchasing the diet pill, skinny tea, meal replacement shake et. al. Or, trialling lots of different diets but never managing to stick to one long enough to learn anything valuable or see any lasting results.
So why do we do it? Why do we purchase ‘fat burners’ and ‘detox’ drinks for example? We usually make the purchase when we’re already trying to make improvements to our eating habits and exercise more. I believe we do it because we want to take control and feel like we’re aiding our efforts to improve our health and hopefully speed up the process while we’re at it if we’re honest.
It’s no wonder people are confused. Companies are out there creating problems we didn’t know we had, fitness influencers are telling us we NEED this stuff and sadly, we think the product is working because we lose weight (when really it’s the other stuff we’re doing that’s working) validating our need for that product. When nutrition slips, exercise stops and the product no longer ‘works’ we feel demotivated and are off looking for the next quick fix.
My daily routine used to consist of:
- Wake up and drink 500ml lemon water with a shot of apples cider vinegar (ACV) to curb hunger and improve digestion (actually water does that, not lemon and ACV).
- Go for a Fat Burning Walk (FBW) to ensure more fat is burned for the bodies energy source (there is no scientific evidence to support this, cardio can be done fed/anytime of day)
- Eat nothing after 7pm to ensure the food is metabolised and not stored as fat while I sleep (eating too many calories will be stored as fat, the time of day you consume them makes no difference).
In my younger years, it was also at different stages:
- Wake up and pop a diet pill (to suppress appetite for the day)
- Replace breakfast and lunch with diet shakes (liquid calories are absorbed more easily and therefore less likely to be stored as fat… right? Wrong!)
- Eat a Keto diet (doesn’t matter that you’re starving and have a constant strange metallic taste in your mouth)
- Try and survive off only caffeine until dinner time (because I’m an idiot)
- Eat super well Monday – Thursday lunch time-ish, then start drinking alcohol and eating maccas and KFC Thursday – Sunday (because #balance).
- I think I’ve made my point and embarrassed myself enough here.
Not once did it occur to me to take my time and make slow, habitual changes to the types of foods I consume, the type and intensity of exercise I do and the kind of lifestyle I live.
When I lost 20kg in the lead up to my wedding, and 30kg after having a baby I didn’t count calories or macros or go on any ‘diets’. I simply started paying attention to what was in my food, and how much of it I was eating. I stick to fresh foods and if I don’t recognise the ingredients on a packaged item, I don’t eat it. If I don’t recognise the ingredient, chances are my body won’t either and will find it difficult to digest. I reduced the amount I was eating, and now stick to the palm (protein), thumb (fats), fist (carbs) method of portioning food if I want to trim down – that’s it. I don’t demonise any type food over another, I don’t cut anything out and I still lose weight and get strong in the gym.
Right now, my focus is on boosting my immunity, reducing inflammation and supporting my digestion through fresh foods. I’m also exploring appropriate supplementation with my GP through blood tests.
Anything in excess is not good for you. Eat too many carrots and your skin turns orange, eat too much sugar and your teeth rot, eat too much fat and your arteries harden. That doesn’t mean you can’t eat anything. That means you can eat EVERYTHING – in moderation.
The meaning of ‘health’ is different for everyone. To me, health is not shredded abs, it’s not fasting and it’s not chicken and broccoli for every meal.
Health for me is having the capability to move through my day with energy, the mental clarity and strength to handle any challenges that get thrown my way and look and feel great while doing it. It’s eating in abundance and constantly reviewing what I can ADD for more nutrients, not restriction. It’s moving my body in a way that makes me feel good and supports my functional day to day activities. Health is being disciplined when I don’t feel like it, taking advantage when motivation peaks and acknowledging when a nap would benefit me far better than another gym sesh.
If there is anything I would love for you to take away from this blog, it’s please don’t overcomplicate your health. Don’t buy into the gimmicks and the fad diets because the bottom line is a fad diet, is a bad diet. Experiment with different ways of eating from a variety of whole foods to work out what makes you feel best. Start small and see what little changes you can make, because the little changes add up to BIG results over time.
Follow my journey over on Instagram @emmak_health for daily nutrition and mindset tips, tricks and inspiration.
EmmaK Health 