So I'm sure just about everyone and their mom has decided that for the new year, "I'd like to lose some weight." Really, if you get right down to it, just about everyone could say they could stand to get healthier and lose a few pounds. For the past few years, this really hasn't been my goal. Ross and I have pretty healthy weights, we work out, and try to eat pretty good. This year, we're not not only saying we'd like to shed a few of the extra pounds, but we'd really like to look at what it means to be healthy.
If you look at the two views of how people look at their lives and food, they generally fall into one of two categories. One would be, "I live to eat." The viewpoint, of loving food, and always looking to satisfy that next craving. The other, would be that of, "I eat to live." You know, those people who eat to get the nutrition that they need, but food isn't their main purpose for getting through the day. If you look at these two ways to think about how you fill your body, it really makes me think.... Well, which one do we/I fall in? I know I can't say that I am completely one or the other, but the fact that I do enjoy a good workout, sometimes leads me to think that I deserve to eat whatever I want. To me, that's the wrong way to go about it. Certainly, there are times where I want to eat really good (not always good for you) food - Etouffee, sushi, and rich chocolate deserts, but you can also eat so much of a good tasting food, that it doesn't even taste good anymore.
For example, Ross and I have been doing an Herbal Cleanse the last couple days that will last for ten days. (Sorry if this is more information than you'd like to know) We've been eating proteins, low on carbs, high on fiber and whole grains, etc. Because I am such a "sweets girl," I feel as though I've been depriving myself of junk. (As though my body misses it??). I find myself walking by the cafeteria at school and smell all the various good aromas that come out of there. A smell that normally wouldn't make me think twice, is like a celebration to my nose. The smell of nachos, pizza, cookies baking.... I mean, it's enough that when I inhale it almost gives me the feeling of actually eating it. This makes me think - Eating less of those things all the time, makes the few times when you do have something that isn't as good for you, or maybe something that is more rich, makes the impact of the taste goes that much further.
All I know, is that I'd like to "eat to live," and every once in a while, "live to eat," something that makes my stomach do cartwheels and fireworks (in a good way, of course!). I guess one thing I never really realized about myself was how often I would eat junk, and how much my body was craving it. This is the year where we are making our health a priority. We are restoring the balance, and really taking care of ourselves. I want for Ross and I to live long healthy and active lives, and if we don't make a point to be healthy and active, we won't do it.
We didn't start this journey with the new year - We've been working out pretty consistently for the past year, but we're stepping up our vision of what healthy means for us. We are continuing this journey down the path labeled, "happy healthy life," and the best part is that we get to do this together.
Happy New Year everyone ! Hope your 2011 is the healthiest yet!
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