Brandi Bell, a certified nutritionist, personal trainer, and athlete emphasizes the significant link between emotions and eating. To establish a healthy lifestyle, it’s essential to acknowledge and address your individual emotional ties to food as a first step. Brandi advocates for an 80-20 approach to eating. This entails focusing on healthy choices 80% of the time, while allowing intentional and guilt-free indulgence during the remaining 20%.
Brandi provides practical guidance on how to craft a tailored, personalized strategy for healthy living.
Brandi says…
- Avoid purchasing food items from the freezer aisle at the grocery store. Many of the products found there are laden with processed sugars and salt. Upon scrutinizing the labels of these items, you’ll likely encounter ingredients that are difficult to pronounce, let alone comprehend. Opt instead to purchase foods from the fresh produce and grocery sections.
2. Don’t stop consuming certain foods solely based on media messages like “Don’t eat that.” For instance, the notion that fruits should be avoided due to their sugar content is prevalent, often accompanied by the blanket statement that “carbs are bad.” However, it’s crucial to recognize that not all carbohydrates are alike. While individuals with specific medical conditions such as diabetes may need to adhere to strict dietary restrictions, for the majority of people, fruits offer numerous health benefits. Unlike processed sugars, which can be detrimental, whole, natural foods like fruits contribute positively to overall well-being.
3. An important initial step toward maintaining a healthy diet is to pay attention to your water consumption. Aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces each day. For instance, if a woman weighs 150 pounds, she should aim to consume 75 ounces of water daily as a baseline. If you engage in physical activity, you’ll need to increase your intake accordingly.
4. As Socrates famously advised, “Know Thyself.” This entails understanding your own vulnerabilities. Just as kryptonite weakens Superman in comic books, identify what acts as kryptonite for you. This could be certain foods or situations that increase the likelihood of overindulgence. For instance, if ice cream is your weakness, refrain from purchasing it. Instead, you might choose to enjoy an ice cream cone as an occasional treat when you’re out, but resist the temptation to bring home a half gallon container.
5. Ensure that whatever choices you make align with your lifestyle. Temporary solutions, as suggested by their name, are not effective in the long run. To maintain good health, it’s essential to adopt a nutritious diet and an active lifestyle. Remember, your approach should be tailored to your individuality and must be sustainable for the long term.
5. To full understand your dietary intake, it’s essential to carefully examine product labels. Take note of ingredients and serving sizes to make informed choices about what you consume.
As a personal trainer and life coach with an impressive personal resume of multiple ultramarathons, Ironmen, and adventure races under her belt, Brandi offers customized advice focused on providing practical and successful strategies to make lifestyle changes that stick.
When she is not at the gym, Brandi enjoys trail running, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
For Personal Training & Nutrition Counseling email:
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The information provided should not be considered a substitute for professional medical guidance or treatment. Reliance on any information provided in this context is solely at your own risk. Your healthcare provider is the best source of guidance for your specific healthcare needs and can offer personalized recommendations tailored to your individual circumstances.
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