FOOD is FUEL.

This became my mantra.  I had been eating fast food lunches, mac n cheese dinners, Friday night pizza, weekend snack sessions and late night couch binges.  I had a 3 yr old and a 3 month old, life was crazy and food was the last thing I was thinking about.  But as I began prepping for my program, I realized how much crap I had become used to putting into my body…which is why I felt like crap!

To be completely honest, the first two weeks were HARD!!  Learning not just portion control, but also healthy eating.  No vending machine snacks, no chips and queso at my favorite Mexican restaurant, no cheese and crackers after dinner, no ice cream for dessert.

Thank goodness I was not doing it alone.  Every time I would get a craving or want to cheat I would text my bestie, who was also doing the program with me, and she would keep me in check.  She reminded me FOOD IS FUEL!  If I had a dollar for every time we’ve said that to each other….I’d be rich!!

I also added a protein and nutrient rich shake and LOTS of water to my diet.  I started drinking half my body weight in ounces every day.  If I felt hungry, I drank water first…if I was still hungry, then I’d eat…but only from my plan.  It was an ADJUSTMENT for sure.  But it got easier and I learned how to work around cravings and temptations.

• I stopped buying cheese and crackers (my go to snack)
• I started buying snack cups for the kids treats which for some reason didn’t temp me because they were for the kids
• When I was going to be away from home for a while, I made sure I had a snack with me so I wouldn’t be tempted to grab something on the go
• If we had plans to go to a party, I ate before I went so I wouldn’t be hungry, thus avoiding the grazing that would inevitably happen at the finger food table
• I cut out alcohol!!  SAD FACE
• I planned out my weekly menu and grocery shopped according.  On Sunday I washed and cut fruits and veggies, cooked up protein and portioned out all my breakfasts and lunches.  Having a plan made all the difference.
• I also started going to bed earlier (5am wake up call) which eliminated late night TV watching and snacking…win/win.

What I learned as I worked my way through different meal plans is that if I did cheat, I felt like crap.  Sluggish, tired, like I was moving in slow motion.  It was terrible and so eye opening that my body functioned so much better when I put good food into it.

My mantra remains FOOD is FUEL.  When I eat something, I think is this going to make me feel better or worse.  If it’s worse…I put it down, drink some water and find a healthy snack.  I’m too busy to feel like shit.