Nutrition Tips for Weight Loss and A Healthy Body From Living Force

The first momstown Oakville fitness challenge is well under way, in fact, we had our mid point weigh in last week.  Oakville moms have had lots of fun trying out several new workouts, but we also wanted to include some information on nutrition as part of the challenge.  Nat from Living Force nutrition met with the momstown Oakville fitness challenge group and gave us some really great tips and information about how to improve our eating to give our bodies have more energy.

Nat began by asking a simple question, "what do you think of when I say the word 'food'" and she got some interesting responses.

Diet
Portion Control
Yummy
Nutrition
Losing Weight
Balance

Do any of those words resonate with you?  We could all relate to the fact that over the last few years we've had big changes in our nutrition and eating habits due to pregnancy or breastfeeding or both.  It can be a challenge to get yourself back on track again.

Nat was really keen on making sure you fuel yourself at the start of the day and have protein at breakfast. Her suggestions included eggs, quinoa, steel cut oats or natural nut butters. Some great recipes to try are as follows:

Quinoa Hot Cereal
Poached Eggs with Brocoli and Goat Cheese

We also talked about cravings and Nat provided us with a great handout to help combat your cravings.  The sheet listed foods you might crave along with what your body may be missing to have such a craving (craving chocolate?  Your body needs magnesium) and foods to eat to replenish the deficiency (need magnesium? Eat nuts, legumes or fruit - not chocolate!).

And finally, a reminder to us all about what your plate should look like.  50% vegetables, 25% mixed whole grains or starch, 25% protein source.  How does your plate rate?

Nat has a wide array of services to help you and your family find balance when it comes to food.  She offers cooking classes (even ones tailored to getting your kids to eat healthier!), meal plans, and a stock your kitchen option.  Click here for a complete list as well as some great savings for her Jump Start programs.

Eating better makes you feel better but it also takes some work to break free of old habits and convenience foods that can be ready in 3 minutes.  Nat can make you appreciate good food again and remind you of what you need to fuel your body.  Did you know that many employer health benefit plans cover a nutritionist, just as a naturopath or massage therapist is covered?

Your body does a lot for you every day.  Make sure you say thank you by giving it the best fuel you possible can!

Teaching Myself To Eat Again

My son turns four this month and my daughter will turn two in March.  Basically since the summer of 2008 I've sort of had a license to not have to worry too much about what I ate as I was either pregnant or breastfeeding with just a few months of neither in between.  And yes, I know, pregnancy isn't really an excuse to eat for two, but I think most moms can say that they did indulge at least a little bit more than they otherwise would had they not been pregnant.

Except now its been a year since I stopped breastfeeding but my brain and appetite didn't seem to get the message.  Over the past 4 to 5 years have I really forgotten how to eat for just me?  Yes, I have!  I'll be honest in saying that food has always been a struggle for me.  I remember when I was getting married all my friends said "Don't worry if your dress is a bit tight when you buy it, you'll for sure loose 5lbs due to stress right before the wedding".  Huh?  Apparently most of them eat less when they are stressed.  Not me...I eat more.  And so I gained 5 lbs right before my wedding (not to worry, the dress still fit just fine).

So let's review...pregnant, breastfeeding, pregnant, breastfeeding, 2 young kids to chase (happy stress, but stress), working full time and not sleeping enough has been a recipe for disaster for my waist line!  Or rather, I have let it be a recipe for disaster.  As this popular inspirational quote says -  "If it is important enough to you, you will find a way. If it is not, you will find an excuse."  I can't use all the other things in my life as an excuse any more and I am ready to make a change.

I need to teach myself how to eat again.  I'm not eating to grow another person, I'm not eating to feed another person, I do not want to eat to cope with stress and tiredness any more.  I need to learn to eat to fuel my body so that I have energy and can be healthy and strong.  This means no more mindless eating or eating when I'm not even hungry or eating the same portion size as my 6'5 husband!

Losing weight is always at least a bit of a struggle for pretty much everyone.  I find you have to be in the right frame of mind and be ready to commit and make a change.  For the first time since 2008 I feel ready!  Luckily this coincides with the momstown Oakville fitness challenge we've just started and with a fellow momstown mama who is also on a journey to get healthier this year.

I sit here snacking on an apple and drinking my third 24oz bottle of water for the day.  I've been at this for a few weeks now and feel better already.  The first goal I set is for Valentine's Day - wish me luck!  I'll post again around then to let you know if I made it or not.  Nothing like putting a goal out there in a public forum to keep you motivated!