Day 5
It almost goes without saying, but if we spend time taking care of our bodies through exercise, we can’t see our best results without the right nutrition
I’m not a nutritionist, but I do take a lot of care with my food choices. Like most people, I believe a little bit of what you fancy definitely does you good. I’ll have dark chocolate, dates and other healthier sweet options almost on a daily basis, which definitely staves off cravings. I also enjoy a good glass of wine or a cocktail every so often like many of us, but I do keep it in moderation. Here’s a few tips I’ve learned along the way for staying fueled and healthy nutrition wise, while seeing results.
- Tracking calories is tedious, I don’t do it because I tend to know what works for me. But I do stay on track day to day and manage what I eat so that I’m not denying myself or overdoing it. Everybody is different- but checking the required calories for your height and age etc, in a tracker like Fitness Planner, can be a good start. If you know you’re going out for dinner, you can skip a snack during the day or go for a long walk to give yourself some extra bandwidth if preferred. I’m pretty untuitive about this and because I’m active, I tend to eat a lot but healthy choices consistently.
- I eat to nourish my body and stay energised but blood sugar stable. Breakfast is usually porridge with healthy toppings like some banana and a bit of protein mixed in such as peanut butter. Snacks are fruit or dates in moderation, protein rich foods like nuts and dairy free yoghurt alternatives. I don’t eat much dairy unless it’s a special occasion. But nut based alternatives like almond milk work fine. Lunch will be a wholegrain sandwich with something protein rich like fish or eggs. Dinner is usually something lighter but filling- like rice with organic meat options, or pasta and home made sauces. I also enjoy pulses with the right flavouring- so think chickpeas, lentils etc which are really fibrous and filling.
- Eating intuitively is a great way to feel into what your body needs. Some days we need something more warming or around your cycle, I’ll usually eat a bit more the day or two prior as we tend to burn more on those days. That said, no need to binge, but choosing the healthier option of a sweet treat like dark chocolate can be great.
- As a general rule, if you walk your 10K steps and even 15-20 mins of Pilates, you’ll be on track! and not over stressing the body. I do weights workouts at the gym 3 times a week as well which I really enjoy. But everyone is different. I’ve seen the biggest change in my physique from walking and regular Pilates, along with a healthier diet. And I think you will too!
