Can you believe we've made it to the end of 2020!?
And what a weird, difficult, and challenging year it's been. If you're anything like me, you cannot wait for a fresh start! Anything to make this 2021 better than 2020. Cue the talk of New Year's Resolutions...
"I need to get back on track after the holidays."
You are so motivated right now!
"New Year, New Me!"
You're ready to make some big changes!
"Let's start off the new year with this juice cleanse detox!"
"This year is the year I'm going to eat clean! I won't eat any sugar - only vegetables and protein. And the new me doesn't ever eat after 7pm."
Wow! This all sounds so great!
So, January 1st, you clean out the kitchen. Throw away all the "junk food". At dinner, you only serve yourself chicken and broccoli. "This is easy! I got this!"
By January 4th, you head back to the gym (next meet is only a few days away!) You feel ok at the start, but conditioning seems extra tough (but maybe it's just because you've had a few days off). You drive by your favorite restaurant on the way home (and man does it smell so good!) It's all you can think about now.
And by the end of the week, you're exhausted! You've got to sit down during the 2nd rotation because you feel so weak and dizzy, like you're gonna throw up!
And then, your teammate brings in a plate of cookies for their birthday! You can have just 1...right? OMG It's so good!!! I need another...and another! And before you realize it, you've had SO MANY!
And you feel so guilty and sick to your stomach! "Why don't I have any willpower? We'll this day's already ruined...let's stop at that restaurant on the way home and get that XL fries, milkshake, and soda while I'm at it. I guess I'll just start again tomorrow..."
STOP!
The best way to stop this cycle of dieting is to NEVER START IN THE FIRST PLACE!
Especially as gymnasts, we are surrounded by diet messages. We live in a diet culture! Always searching for that magic diet...that magic pill!
Here's a secret from someone who's studied nutrition for 10+ years...IT DOESN'T EXIST!
The diet industry is a 75 BILLION DOLLAR industry. They are not in the market of helping you, they are in the market of keeping you stuck in the cycle to make $$$.
Want to know what does work? Consistency! Finding a way of eating that not only supports your goals, but also works with your life and that you enjoy!
Instead of setting unrealistic expectations for yourself (and ultimately setting yourself up for failure and disappointment...), make resolutions differently this year.
Make more meaningful resolutions. Commit to:
Speaking kinder to yourself and others
Prioritizing time for self-care
Doing more good deeds or acts of kindness
Helping others
Spending more meaningful time with friends and family
And if you still intend to make food-related resolutions, instead of telling yourself you have to "give up" or "cut out" something, think about what you can add instead.
Add 1 more bottle of water each day
Add a helping of vegetables to your lunch
Add a fueling snack before practice
Add to your support system by investing in a Registered Dietitian
Remember, nutrition is not something you have to figure out on your own! As a Registered Dietitian, I can help you want to feel confident with your fueling plan and learn to fuel success, so apply to work with me today!
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