It's Time To Stop Chasing Our Summer Body Goals

As the weather gets warmer, the pressure to achieve our summer body goals is on. As much as I wouldn't mind waking up tomorrow looking like ANTM, I am slowly learning that instead of hitting the gym 6 times a week and shoving kale down my throat to change my body, the only thing I actually need to work on is how I feel about my body. I am tired of putting on a bikini and hating what I see and hiding behind oversized t-shirts and sweatpants. I am tired of not being able to walk outside in a teeny tank top without the little guys in my head reprimanding me for last night's dinner. I am tired of being told what I'm supposed to look like. I am tired of relying on Facetune to feel secure in my own skin.

2020 is the year we normalize normal bodies. We are learning that things like weight and waist size do not determine our health, and we are coming to terms with the fact that all bodies are not meant to look the same, and not only is that ok, it's beautiful. This means treating our bodies with love and respect and starting to focus on what it means to have a healthy body. For me, this begins with reexamining my relationship with food and my eating habits. Here are the rules I am learning to live by when it comes to eating intuitively and mindfully for my health and nothing else.

@vivianhoorn

3 Ways to Show Your Body Some Love This Summer and Always...

Honor your appetite

Eat when your first start to feel the hunger kick in, and keep your body fed with enough protein and carbs for energy. If you wait too long to eat, excessive hunger can trigger your drive to overeat. Otherwise, you can trigger a primal drive to overeat. Learn to eat when you're hungry (not starving), and stop when you're full (not stuffed).

Eat What You Love

When it comes to dieting, we often restrict ourselves from eating the foods that we love. As a result, we start to think of our favorite food as a reward or a cheat meal. The problem is that the more we tell ourselves that we aren't allowed to eat something, the more likely we are to binge or overeat when it's on the table because our body doesn't know when we'll be able to eat it next. What if instead of depriving ourselves of our favorite food, we learn to eat them whenever we want but in moderation? No guilt, no shame, just satisfaction, and appreciation.

It's a Balancing Act

A lot of people think that intuitive eating and ditching your diet supports the notion of eating whatever you want, whenever you want. While this may be true to a certain extent, intuitive eating is simply built on the idea that there should be no shame or guilt tied to the foods we eat. Intuitive eating teaches us to stop seeing food as a reward but as a way to honor your health. It allows us to see all food in a different light without any moral attachment, and learn how to make food choices that make our bodies feel good. Intuitive eating means listening to your body and providing it with the nutrition it needs to flourish. It's learning to eat that salad if you're craving it, but also not being afraid to order that burger with a side of fries if that's what your body is telling you. Intuitive eating means that is no such thing as "good" food or "bad" food; only food that feels good and makes your body say thank you.

Love always,

Melania Zilo