I have always struggled with my weight...at least in my eyes. I am sure if someone else looked at my past self, they would say otherwise. I have never felt comfortable in my own skin, and often heard and felt the words that others said about me. I don’t know that they were meant to be cruel, but they felt it to me and stuck with me.
I never thought about food as fuel to my body. I never thought of exercising as something enjoyable. I did, however, enjoy playing sports. The team camaraderie was something I would strive for. The feeling of my parents cheering me on from the sidelines was/is without compare.
I don’t think I would be who I am today without the support of my family and teammates.
But when it came to food choices, man was that a challenge. I can remember eating a huge bowl of ice cream, fast food dinners, quick meals on the go, school lunches. Then, in college, traveling for games, we would stop a gas station or fast food a lot of the time just to get back on the road quicker.
When I graduated and had to manage food choices on my own. I was a lost pup. How could I possibly know how to cook or where to start when my life was always “on the go”, so in turn, so were my food choices.
I still struggle with food choices. I still struggle with fueling my body. I am thankful for the family and team that I have through Beachbody that has given me the tools to make those changes for myself and my kids.
We still go out for fast food or eat quick meals, but majority of the time, we are making balanced, healthy meals and sitting down as a family to eat--even if it is at 8:00 pm.
My daughter has always been health conscious. She’s only 8 but has a good grasp on the balance that I so dearly struggle with. Recently she was reading the label of her juicebox and declared that it had 80 calories. As I was trying to respond, she quickly said, “Calories are bad for you.” I tried to explain that there are calories in everything except water, and the differences in the good and the bad. She went on to tell me that a girl that she knows told her that calories are not good for you. I was deeply concerned.
I know healthy choices, positive body conversations need to continue. Good choices have to be demonstrated. I want my children to know how to make the right choices, and know that there is a balance with their food choices...starting at home...making positive memories together.
