Food is not the enemy.
It’s summer (yes, I’m still clutching onto it with all that I have) and it seems that everyone falls into the “gotta get a slim summer body” trap. Same, honestly. Around June I started making small changes in my diet to make it a little “healthier” and less calorie dense. Cutting sandwiches for salads, omitting my lunch time cookies and subbing my large afternoon snack for hard boiled eggs or fruit and yogurt – and I noticed a difference! I felt slimmer and “tighter”.
I didn’t notice a particular decrease in my training performance or energy levels right away. I was still training as hard as I had been, and getting through the day just fine bar being a little peckish by the time I got home from work. I wasn’t limiting myself, I still had a treat after dinner when I wanted it and wouldn’t say no to eating out – ya girl likes treats and meals out after all.
I got a stomach bug just over two weeks ago, which meant I wasn’t eating a lot at all. And when my appetite finally returned I still didn’t really eat as though I’d been starving myself for 3 days and since then I’ve been agitated, tired, lethargic and downright unmotivated to move. I didn’t feed myself like I should have after being in such a calorie deficit for so many days.
Regardless of how I’ve been feeling, I was still going to the gym. But my usual “can’t wait to get my workout in” attitude was slowly replaced by me dragging my ass in every day to get my workout in, and even then, my workout weren’t particularly amazing.
Roll on Labour Day long weekend. BBQ after BBQ with an abundance of good, who-cares-about-the-calories food. And I ate, I ate it all and then some. I even had two desserts after dinner last night in addition to the cheeky brownie I’d had earlier in the day.
Today, I was ready for the gym, excited even. Got there, smashed out 385lb hip thrusts for reps (that’s a PR… and 2.5x my body weight) and was easily able to split squat 185lbs (this is only about 10-15lbs that I usually squat if I do squat).
Basically all I’m trying to say is that food is not the enemy. Seriously. Now by this I don’t mean that this is your excuse to gorge yourself on crap for the rest of your days, but this is your reminder that you’re ALLOWED to eat food. Lot’s of it on occasion. Treats on occasion. Something other than oatmeal, salads, and meats on occasion (actually, more than on occasion, please don’t limit yourself to a veggie and meat diet for the love of god).
Food is good. Not just for the soul, but to keep you functioning at a high capacity. To keep you energized enough to get through your normal day and then some. To have the energy to do things you love. To repair, grow, THRIVE!
So there’s my little bit of September motivation. Summer is almost over, the summer body you strived for can be put away for winter – and even if you don’t want to put it away, at least give yourself some flexibility in the diet department to eat the things you enjoy. Let this autumn/winter season be full of growth, good food, and amazing workouts.
I also have a blog post on the “why’s” of eating enough food, check it out.
Until next time
xx