Tag: health

I Stopped Counting Calories

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For the entirety of my life I’m pretty sure I’ve been on a diet of some kind. That or denying that the food I was putting in my body was causing turbulence. THAT or I just didn’t care about it all and pretended that none of it mattered.

Then, a year ago I had fainted in a public area with thousands of people at an event. It was just me and my partner and we were in the thick of the moment and I just dropped to the ground as I was trying desperately to get out there. I maintained enough consciousness to get out and get back up after the collapse but it was in that moment I knew I needed to take better care of myself. The first place I started was my plate.

I kept track of macros, calories and the works. And for a long while, it really worked! I could see my clothes getting bigger, my frame getting smaller. I was feeling a little better because I was getting the nutrients I needed. It was good. The trick is that no one tells you how all-consuming calorie tracking can be.

Now, let me say this first: I am not a professional. I am a person. This is just my personal perspective and relationship with calorie counting. For some, calorie tracking can really work and be no additional negative effects. I love those TikTok’s of those fitness girls crushing their protein goals and measuring stuff out for the week. I love getting to see those people rocking that lifestyle!

But I am not one of them. I simply can’t be. My brain gets too obsessive and then everyone goes home cranky because I didn’t feed my brain enough and get snippy. No one is happy, including the body I was trying to take care of.

So why keep doing it? I didn’t. I learned a lot about portion control and listening to my body’s need versus wants in that time so I’ve been able to carry that over to now. I think a more intuitive approach is beneficial for me because it’s less restrictive- I don’t limit food choices. I don’t put limits on types of foods, good or bad. I eat and when I’m done, my body gives me the heads up.

There’s always something that works for everyone. Each body is different and you need to find what works for you. Have you?

Until Next Time,

Dana

Hard Body Days

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Most don’t know, but I’ve been on a health journey. Well, I think I’ve been on some sort of health/weight loss journey my whole life. I’ve always had more fat on my body and as a woman, always been told to suck it in and eat less. As we all know, this is garbage, so my health journey has been about restoring my relationship with food and exercise to be something I enjoy and feel good doing rather than a form of punishment.

But some days are harder than others. Because I spent a lot of my childhood and early 20s trying to lose weight in unsafe ways, I sometimes tend to fall back on that mindset- the deadlines, the calorie cutting, the increase in cardio. I do all that because I look in the mirror and I don’t see progress. I don’t see change or something to be proud of in that moment.

And I have to remind myself that it’s okay. I do not have to be a constant work in progress. I can just exist. I don’t have to fix or adjust or maneuver my body to cater to others eyes despite all the things my brain keeps saying I have to do.

A great tip I picked up on restoring my relationship with my body is that body love sometimes isn’t possible. Sometimes you’ve hated your body and your outward appearance for so long that switching to love isn’t going to happen right away. For some, it may not happen at all, but working toward body neutrality? Now that’s something we can all work towards. Not hating. Not loving. Just finding a peaceful existence with your body.

It’s days like these where I take this tip to heart and find neutrality with my body. I find some clothes that I’m comfortable in and give it what it needs so it can fuel me. I don’t worry about what it looks like in the mirror or the way my body is shaped. I re-establish that neutrality towards my body because love is unattainable that day. And that’s okay. But I don’t hate my body. It’s gotten me through some pretty remarkable things and deserves some respect!

You’ve got this. Take care of you on those hard body days. I definitely am!

Until Next Time,

Dana

Sunday Musings From Bed

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I think it’s okay to be busy every once in a while. I used to (and still) struggle with having a loaded schedule because it felt like I wasn’t getting enough down time. But looking back, I don’t think it was because was the lack of down time. My days were filled with things I didn’t really want to do and that takes a toll on your mental health in ways you don’t see until the compound effect takes over.

See, when you’re in college, it’s not just classes and then home. You have homework and exams and other tasks to do. It’s expected you practice the things you’re trying to become an expert in (or a torture device-the perspective is yours to decide). And let’s be honest- all those extra tasks? They’re usually terrible and tedious.

However, there does come a point where that period of time ends and you get to decide what you’re filling your time with. I used to work in a job where it sucked all my brain power and I felt like I couldn’t do anything on the weekends. Going from constantly studying in school to constantly working at my job left me without a drop of energy to myself.

But that wasn’t really true, I just didn’t know what I wanted to be doing. I thought it was only rest and recovery. The first few weeks of doing nothing was great, but after a couple weekends? I needed more.

I have so much more time than I did before and so do you! You have a few more dollars in your pocket (hopefully) and a lot of extra free time. So why not fill it with what you’d like? Some weekends it could be that show you love to binge and others, it’s a concert and a great dinner! You have some space to choose now what flows back into your cup to bring you energy and new life.

I’m not saying be busy every second of every day. I think we’d all crash and burn if we did that. I mean taking a summer weekend and doing things the whole weekend with people you love. My partner and I went to a Brewer’s game yesterday and today I’m meeting up with my mom to see the latest Marvel movie! And it doesn’t stop there- I want to go get a lovely walk in and journal and enjoy the beautiful day we’re having on this Sunday.

I guess what I’m saying is that life is calling. Make it yours as much as you can. Work can soak up so much of our lives, but why not take that personal time and really own it? I am! I hope you do too and have a fantastic Sunday!

Until Next Time,

Dana