Don't Let Perfection Be the Enemy of Something

I will be the first to say that for most of my life, there has been no middle ground, no grey area.  Everything is black or white.  My little one track mind zones in on something and I jump in feet first without trying to figure out how it is going to effect me long term. For instance, when I started Crossfitting, I began my zone diet journey and followed it to a tee.  I weighed and measured everything I put into my mouth and I felt really good!  However, I became obsessed(happens often) and couldn't stop.  I started driving myself crazy-stressing myself out if I couldn't measure and check everything I was eating.  Paul had to intervene when I got upset because I didn't have enough broccoli to meet my veggies quota for dinner:)

Then we transitioned to clean eating, and I was able to take a rest from the weighing and measuring and give my brain a rest and still maintain a healthy body weight.  I had a really hard time with it at first and couldn't wrap my head around not having a set of rules to follow.  Which leads me to today's post(rant).  I read a great post from Diane Sanfilippo called Are you paralyzing others with Paleo perfectionism?  It really hit home with me because so many people get caught up in the "can't eat this, can't eat that" when they really should be focusing on real, whole, unprocessed foods.  There is no "in between" for people which paralyzes them from making a change to just start something in order to better their health and fitness. In reality, there are so many starting points.

Start by focusing on having a nutritious breakfast for 2 weeks straight.  If you love your bread, try a slice of Ezekiel bread with butter.  Not fake butter, the real deal!  Just changing your breakfast to an omelet with veggies, sprinkle of cheese(love the Kerrygold cheese) instead of the bagel or waffle that has no nutritional value is a huge step.  Taking plain rolled oats and adding some fruit to it with a side of scrambled eggs with sliced avocado is better than a bowl of processed cereal with a cup of OJ.  Sub out things that you think you absolutely "can't do without" with better versions of that food.  A more wholesome version.  I already mentioned I love the website 100 days of Real Food because of her focus on fresh, unprocessed foods.  I personally can't tolerate grains, but that does not mean that no one should ever have them.  You have to be your own guinea pig.  If you want to have some mac and cheese, try making it from scratch so you are not pouring it out of a box.  Start somewhere.  Don't kill yourself weighing and measuring and counting points.  It doesn't last long term. There is plenty of research backing up the fact that we as a nation are sick and over weight because of the amount of processed, crappy foods we eat.

You can't let yourself off the hook with the mindset that eating healthy is too hard for you because there are too many things you shouldn't be eating.  This mindset is self defeating.  It's a step by step process and you will encounter road blocks(stress, jobs, injury, etc), but your health should always be at the forefront.  We will be sharing stories of different people's quests for health and fitness and you will notice a theme......It is different for everyone, but ultimately, you can find what works for you and create your best self!!!  Don't wait, start TODAY!!  Stay Happy and Healthy!

-Dawn

Friday July 20, 2012-Workout

5x5 One leg stiff leg deadlift

Then,
3rounds of:
400 meter run
21 dumbbell swings
12 jumping pull-ups
Record your time.

Wednesday July 18, 2012-Workout

Tabata: 20 seconds of work, 10 seconds of rest-8 rounds of:
air squat
push-ups
sit-ups(planks)
body rows

Then, complete at least 5 mobility exercises.

Debra with an awesome plank hold.

Jen rocking some air squats with a target for her bum.

Keeping it real, let's do this together.

It has been a while since I have had the opportunity to sit down and pound out a blog post and I miss it.  Between Paul and Rob's summer program, personal training, swim team, and visiting my mom at the nursing home, there has not been a single moment of peace or rest, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  The kids are staying active and having a blast which leads me to today's post.

My kids have been consuming an unbelievable amount of food this summer and I feel like I am running to the store at least 2-3 times a week to stock up on fresh veggies, fruit, and meat.  While I am doing my best to provide them with fresh, whole foods, I have been running in to endless road blocks and challenges.  I have come to rely heavily on the blog 100 Days of Real Food by Lisa Leake, the book Eat Like a Dinosaur by The Paleo Parents and the website Elena's pantry.  I don't know what I would do without their endless ideas and inspirational posts and stories.  They help me put real food in front of the kids that they will eat.

I feel like like we are constantly bombarded with concession stand food at swim meets filled with lots of candy, cookies, etc. as well as other gatherings where they are surrounded by processed foods of all kinds.  It kills me because I know these foods do not provide them with the nutrients and vitamins that their young, active bodies need.  I want them to have healthy eating habits now so they don't pay for it down the road.  It pains me because we are the ones setting the example for our children and providing them with food.  They don't plan the menu or grocery shop. We as parents hold the power and I know how hard it is to find time to cook homemade, nutritious meals and snacks for our children, but it is possible!  Our kids will respond if we teach them what foods are healthy and get them involved.  I have used many recipes from all of the above resources and my kids have loved everything. I have been packing a cooler everywhere we go that usually include some of the following:

fruit
meat(anything we have in the fridge)
nuts/seeds
veggies(cucumbers, peppers, carrots, raw broccoli, snap peas, green beans)
homemade dip
rolled outs with a tsp of honey, raisins, nuts, dark chocolate chips
rice cakes with nut butter
graham crackers(recipe from Eat Like a Dinosaur)
everyday cookies(recipe from eat like a dinosaur)
homemade crackers(Elana's pantry)
homemade muffins/biscuits(100 days of Real Food, Eat like a Dinosaur, and Elana's Pantry)

There are many more, and they definitely take a lot of effort  and become a labor of love when I am pressed for time, but so worth it!!  I don't want my kids to be laden with allergies and illnesses that I could have prevented or made better by providing them with healthy food options.  My children are not completely grain free hence the oats and recipes from the blog 100 Days of Real Food, but I know I am giving them a healthy alternative to all the packaged, highly processed foods that are out there.  This blog is a call to action of sorts.  Why have we created a world where cheap, processed, food devoid of any nutrients and full of sugar and other harmful things are the norm for our kids?  If we support each other with recipes and inspirational ideas and stories, we will raise a generation of strong, health conscious individuals who can keep spreading the word! 

Check out this article form Lisa Leake's blog www.100daysofrealfood.com.  It hit home with me and I know you will appreciate it!   Happy Reading!