Keto is the answer! No, wait, veganism is the answer! No… it’s paleo, or massive amounts of cardio, or collagen powder, or green juice, or pink drink, or… WTF. How are we supposed to find the truth while being inundated with “how to target belly fat” fitness workouts, “wellness” advice, and MLM fitness experts while we’re scrolling social media, watching TV, or just simply minding our own business? There’s so much information out there — quite frankly, it’s freaking confusing.
I’ve never been a skinny girl. I’ve never been comfortable in a bathing suit without adjusting myself a thousand times or covering myself up completely. And you definitely won’t find me in a crop top, either. I need a full shirt, ma’am. We don’t need me looking like Winnie the Poo walking around Target.
I love food and wine. Like, a lot. I’m a food blogger, Yelp Elite, and a Level 8 Google Guide. I can tell you the best restaurants in town based on what you’re craving, what side of town you want to be on, and your budget. And my friends and family can attest to my cooking, baking, wine pairings, and how I will always go the extra mile to make it boujee and delicious. Food is quite literally my life. With all that said, I’d also like to be skinny and fit forever. Please and thank you. So, how do I find balance between food and fitness?
I’m not a health professional or a licensed dietitian. I am, however, a 43-year-old woman who has consulted countless medical professionals, dieticians, nutritionists, and fitness experts along my health journey. I’ve battled mental health issues, trauma, infertility, Hashimotos, PCOS, endometriosis, hypothyroidism, imbalanced hormones, gut health issues, and Epstein Barr Virus. Good Lawd. I lost my breath just reading that list. And I know I’m not alone. We all struggle on this journey. So here’s what I’ve found that helps me along the way.
I workout at TitanUp Fitness, practice yoga at home or at Titanium Yoga, and TRY to get at least 10,000 steps in each day whether it’s walking in my neighborhood or running around doing errands. In my research, I’ve learned that these three activities are the best things I can do for my health.
Strength Training
I absolutely love strength training at TitanUp Fitness. Weight training builds muscle, increases bone density, and helps manage my weight. Now I’m not talking lifting the little hot pink 2-pound dumbbells, ladies. I’m talking heavy weights. Strength building. Building real muscle. And don’t stress about looking “manly.” That’s such an old-school way of thinking. God didn’t build us like that. We don’t have those genetics. We would have to take a lot of performance-enhancing drugs to look “manly.” Also, before starting at TitanUp Fitness a year ago I had never even held a barbell before. Today, at 43 years old, I’m bench pressing 160 pounds, squatting 250 pounds, and deadlifting 260 pounds. In just one year, I’ve built muscle mass, decreased fat, and changed the composition of my body.
Yoga
Practicing yoga has increased my mobility and flexibility, helped my balance, and improved my nervous system function and stress management. I started practicing yoga in 2016 and absolutely fell in love. I love the way it challenges me, and I love how versatile it is. You can choose a gentle restorative practice that focuses on your breathing, balance, and flexibility, or go all in with a power yoga class that builds strength and increases cardio. There’s truly a yoga practice for everyone. Titanium Yoga is my favorite studio in town with multiple locations and a wide range of class levels. When I practice at home I often chose my own flow, or tune into YouTube with free classes from Yoga with Adriene or Five Parks Yoga.
Walking
Never underestimate the power of walking. It helps with heart health, weight maintenance, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, energy levels, immune system, and stress levels. This is my opportunity to unplug from the day, let go of the things that cause me stress and tune into my favorite audiobook or podcast. Some days, though, my schedule doesn’t allow me the convenience of taking a walk through the neighborhood. Sometimes, I have to get my steps in by doing laundry, doing extra laps around the house, or running from meeting to meeting. This often looks like me taking the stairs, and parking in the very last parking spot so I have to walk the entire parking lot to get where I’m going.
Diet
For my diet, I consult doctors at Mayo Clinic and Baptist Health, as well as a licensed dietician and holistic doctor. In our home, we strive to eat clean, whole foods without refined sugar, trans fats, and added chemicals. Please don’t be fooled, though, because it never looks like perfection. Sometimes it’s salads, all the water, and workouts. Other days, girl, it’s cheeseburgers and a glass of wine or 5. It’s called balance. *wink*
READ: Don’t Believe the Lies: 5 Women’s Health Myths Debunked
My last piece of advice…
Don’t fall victim to that toxic way of thinking that you have to lose that 10 pounds before joining a gym, or you have to get more flexible before trying yoga. We join the gym to lose that 10 pounds and more, friend! You practice yoga to gain flexibility in your body! Take action. Do your own research and find the things that are right for you and your body. This is not a one size fits all situation. Find what is right for you and make it happen. Take it one day at a time.
Good luck on your health journey, ladies! You’re not alone. We’re all in this together.
