Eating to live..not living to eat...with challenge

Southernsister

Hello all,
First let me say I am not perfect,but give it all I have in me. This topic really means alot to me because I have been a southern cook all my life and own a company that cooks for others.Coming from the south the word BUTTER and BACON fat was comforting. After years of being out of shape and killing my body I decided to live. I am a very strong believer that what you put in your (fuel) decides on how your body (car) will run..
In the start of my weight loss I loved all the frozen meals and new diet foods hitting the market, but when I started working out hard and running my body was still crying out.Logging my food and looking back made me realize that just making the calorie goal wasn't all that mattered.I started to shop wiser and read labels more.
People think im crazy when I say your body speaks if you listen.....I have learned to listen. I can tell when I need fresh fruit, greens, protean and so on.If I add junk my body feels yuk and says reject. It is an amazing feeling to eat to live and supply what the body needs.
I do take many herbs and vitamins and still doing research and learning daily. I have not felt this healthy in forever.
My challenge for you is to eat to fuel that body and not just diet. I am here for anyone that really wants change and will do my best to help.
Ive walked a mile in your shoes and now I live to help others.

Southernsister

.http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/350547-my-story-at-a-second-chance-at-life-photos
I have new photos on my profile...lost more and starting strength training

Thena81

gurl you aint saying nothing! i hear ya! im a southern bell myself lol and it's tough to make southern fave be healthy but i work it. it doesn't taste the same oh and i gave up bacon and pepperoni and pizzas and such. i'll eat keilbasa here and there but i try to keep it to once a week. living to eat is what we do best down here. we gather with food, we pray with food, we do everything around food and it's hardd!! i have to skip bbqs just to stay on track and i cant tell ya how much i miss wings and ribs mmm

luvsoftball9

thats a great way to think about food my problem is that i'm not a very good cook, i actually find it stressfull sometimes b/c when i look up receipes they seem to have all these ingredients (that i've not heard of), its very overwhelming to me, so I tend to stop and grab something on the way home :-/

diaryoffatdad

love this topic......it is so true, our culture has created an atmosphere where food is celbrated, there is so many options and endulgences, when really food should only serve one purpose.....to fuel your body,

pyro66

Definitely agree. Lived in New Orleans all my life (well Westbank in Gretna but its all home isn't it?). Food is king down here for a good reason, it is fantastic! But you can still eat the great down south cooking and fuel your body. Just got to watch what it is you're eating and make sacrifices on quantity (my biggest issue). Its good to "splurge" every once and awhile and have that good/bad for you food that you crave but don't make it a habit. and when you do "splurge" don't go overboard. Have that great meal you were craving but know the work you're going to have to put in to get rid of it.

I've been working out and eating better for over a month now and my energy level is fantastic. I feel better than I've every felt.

lik_11

Are you still cooking for other people? If so- are you cooking healthy for them.. or Southern (Yum!)?

Southernsister

I cook what they order...I have programmed myself so much that I don't even lick my finger lol

janemartin02

How true!I totally agree.
Thanks for posting!
HUGS
jane

Tani316

Yes, Yes!!! Food is almost always the centerpiece of any gathering. I am a southern girl that LOVES southern cooking but I'm working hard on learning moderation. Normally I try to stay far away from the unhealthy stuff so when I did get some (bad) food I eat until I there's nothing left. But now I'm trying to be a lot smarter and controlled.

This topic is so important right now as we approach Thanksgiving & Christmas. The usual custom is for my brother, sister, cousin, and I to line up and eat as much dressing, turkey, pie, ham, greens, yams, etc. as we can hold then once that food is settled we go back for seconds. I know, we should be ashamed. This year I very much plan to indulge in the succulent food but I'm going to slow down and appreciate it instead of just inhaling it.

DoingItNow2012

I've recently started to follow this philosophy. Love eating like this, but my nemesis is convenience. Plus I still struggle with my favorites, salt, salt, salt, and cheese. Lat few days not too great. But it is a journey, and I am definitely going in the right direction.