Morning my pals! Time for another Body After Baby post! Currently this series catalogues my plans and ideas for getting back in shape once baby B makes it outside of my apparently-super-cozy belly. I have already shared goals and how I plan to track progress. Now, it’s time to share a little more specifically how I plan to reach those goals. I warned you all yesterday, in my Blog Changes post, that I would discuss food and fitness a bit more often. Here is a glimpse into what to expect with the food. The fitness section is coming soon, as I don’t want to overload this post with too much content.

The Food

My biggest goal is to get back to my roots – back to my normal preferred eating style. In the year or so before getting pregnant with Braedon, I had found a balance of eating that suited me perfectly. I ate a variety of wholesome, quality, nutritious foods that gave me energy and that I enjoyed. I never felt deprived and could easily dine on some of my not-so-healthy favorites without concern. I didn’t go overboard one way or the other – not too restrictive and obsessive over what I put in my body, but not a free-for-all either where I didn’t care for my health.

The balance easily fit the 80/20 “rule” of choosing the nutritionally dense foods 80% of the time and “treats” or “indulgences” the other 20%. I don’t care to classify food that way, but in reality that’s what it ended up looking like. I ate in a manner that fit my tastes, lifestyles, love of feeling healthy…and naturally came to that 80/20 place.

source

I raise my hand in admission that, while I certainly do my best and focus on having balance in my nutrition, I currently do not eat in a manner I feel comfortable with for long-term health. I know my intense pregnancy sugar cravings will not bode well when hoping to achieve balance and a greater sense of health. I must make changes. I plan to do so in the following ways:

• Cook one new recipe each week that includes quality ingredients – lots of veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, etc. – and share it on the blog.
• Balance treats more. I refuse to give up treats, because I know my sweet tooth won’t disappear. However, I can find more balance between natural goodies (fruit, yogurt, etc) and the cookies/chocolate.
• Plan meal & snack ideas for the week. I do this anyways, but I want to plan more variety…like new breakfasts and lunches each week. I know I can get in ruts where I eat the same thing over and over and over for months.

• Post about my food. I won’t eat something simply for the sake of the blog, but I do know sharing more regularly can help hold me accountable to my goal of establishing better habits for myself. I won’t post my eats every day, but look for me to share recipes and possibly do a weekly post series that catalogues my regular day’s eats. Other random fun/delicious foods will appear in the mix too.
• Make room for veggies & fruit. I love fresh produce. I certainly want to incorporate more – especially veggies! I like them! Why am I not eating them more? That doesn’t mean I will start eating bowls for lunch and dinner every day like it seems some bloggers like to do…but carrot slices with hummus at lunch, for example, can certainly make a reappearance more often.

• LOOSELY keep track of food/calories. Okay, this one may come as a shocker to many of you who know me. I refuse to use a scale. I don’t like numbers for tracking my “weight loss” progress. So WHY would I even consider thinking about calories? Well, even though I won’t rely on a scale to tell me my progress, I WILL be trying to lose weight. I will also (hopefully) be breastfeeding in the process. I will need to find a balance of food intake that suits both of those processes.

I won’t track every morsel that crosses my lips by using a tracking program. I won’t hold off on eating something when hungry because it doesn’t “fit into my daily calories”. I won’t shoot for processed or packaged items for their lower calorie content. I will, however, loosely determine how many I’m eating here and there just for a general reference. I want to be sure I’m eating enough for breastfeeding, but not going overboard in portions or choices to where I hinder my personal goals either.

It will be more of a broad tally in my head some days (not every day) to check in with myself. And if it ever feels obsessive or like its leading me down a restrictive path, I will stop. Loosely tracking food worked well for me when losing weight after Makenzie, so I plan to try the same this time. I don’t think counting is bad as long as you can still listen to your body and appropriately feed yourself. I also won’t continue the practice once I reach my goal and enter maintenance.

I know I want to accomplish the above with my dining. Some other things may come up as I go along. Eating healthy should be fun. It may take some time, but I have faith I will work back to a place that I enjoy and that improves my quality of life.

Question of the Day – What things do you strive for in your eating?

First Monday of the New Year. I expect most of us spent today working our way back into regular routines and schedules. I hope the transition went smoothly for those heading back to work after time off.

I also imagine today included lots of people starting up the actions for the resolutions and plans to meet resolutions and goals. My gym membership is currently on hold, but I can imagine the crowds of people. Yesterday, people packed our church. When I headed to the grocery store, fitness books/magazines sat in display cases and weight loss shakes or diet foods greeted me as I walked into the store. A plethora of commercials about becoming debt-free sounded through my speakers in the car. It’s obviously the time of the “resolutioners”.

The sudden urge to make changes for the better at the start of the year used to frustrate me to no end. Now, I actually feel proud of every person out there hoping to better his or her life. Who am I to judge the person checking out in front of me with lots of fresh foods and sharing a weight loss goal with the cashier? Who am I to roll my eyes at all of the people sharing workout status updates on Facebook? Who am I to secretly think “yea right” when I hear about business ventures of a particular someone?

The new attitude hit me while at church. More people attended and resolutions likely had something to do with it. But how amazing that people were there, wanting to bring something so positive into their lives! And isn’t that what all resolutions are for? A positive change in one’s life?

While I don’t believe it necessary to wait until the arbitrary date of January 1st (…or Monday…or “tomorrow”), I have come to appreciate the atmosphere of motivation found in so many people geared to accomplishing something new, exciting, and fruitful. I hope everyone achieves each and every goal set that can better the person. I may not care for some things that accompany so many resolutions, like expecting a quick change,  but I can still support those attempting them. Maybe it’s the cheerleader in me…

For example, instead of cringing at a friend’s unrealistic weight loss goals and thinking how she will just give up in a few weeks, why not share some support and ideas for healthier living? Instead of grumbling about the new gym goers taking up space, why not strike up a conversation and let them in on one of the best classes or a fun workout idea? To put it simply, lend a helping hand any way you can. Maybe a lack of support leads to resolutions left behind. And maybe we can change that for someone.

Question of the Evening – What types of things pop up around the start of the year that typically annoy you? And did you have to get back into the swing of a normal routine today?