If you've coached with me, you may have heard me talk about food values and how those can look different for everyone. Today, I want to talk more about what that means.
Part of my coaching philosophy is: Step Outside the Box, then Break It. In terms of health and wellness that means, I'm going to provide you with the skills and facts of nutrition, then together we'll work toward figuring out what matters most to you to build a sustainable toolkit. This can help you both lose weight and maintain it long-term!
For example, my personal food values are clean ingredients, locally-sourced when possible, and nutrition facts that are balanced and filling.
Why?
Clean Ingredients- I feel better overall. I am more energetic, I feel lighter, and my brain feels clear. It's easy to pick nutritious options at the store when I am looking at ingredients so I don't have to decipher all the numbers while I'm shopping, and I only shop certain locations so it eliminates the overwhelm of the store.
Locally-Sourced- Supporting local economy has always been a high priority to me. Now, as a small business owner, I truly understand the passion, love and work that goes in, so it motivates me even more to support local. From a nutrition standpoint, it's easier to know what ingredients were used and where my food is coming from. Often there are less preservatives and added ick, so the nutrition is often higher. It also helps in choosing restaurants because I try to stick local.
Balanced & Filling- I look at four main things on a nutrition label besides ingredients. Fat, Fiber, Added Sugar & Protein. Why? Moderate fat & protein, high fiber and low to no added sugar is usually a winning combo to a filling and nutritious choice!
So how did I choose my food values? I learned the skills & facts of nutrition then applied what makes sense for myself and my life. I am more motivated to meal prep, cook, workout and fit in all the aspects of a healthy life when I'm going to the farmer's market and excited about the food I am getting! That's what I help you find as well! What really motivates you on a core level?
Do I follow these things perfectly? Of course not! To me, that's what balance is all about! I try to focus the majority of my food choices on my values and leave space for the freedom to choose. Why? Freedom is a personal value, so allowing myself flexibility is a personal key to maintaining a healthy life & my weight. This keeps me from falling into all or nothing thinking.
Now back to coaching. As a coach, I am always mindful of talking about what's facts versus opinions. For you to both achieve and maintain weight loss and a healthy lifestyle long-term, it has to be realistic and work for you!
You may be able to force yourself into some things for a period of time, but if it doesn't resonate and matter to you at an intrinsic level, it won't stick. Not because you are lacking willpower, discipline or dedication, but it's not aligning with your core personal and food values.
That's a HUGE part of my coaching philosophy, I'm going to give you the facts, but help guide you toward the freedom of choosing what matters and works best for you! I try to learn about who you are as a person, what motivates you, what skills have helped you with things you've accomplished in your life, and what really drives you to do the tough stuff, then we take those same things and apply it to weight loss and a healthy lifestyle! You are the expert of YOU, so really you have all the answers! I just help you apply those and provide the skills & knowledge on nutrition!
If you are ready to learn your food values and how that applies for you, schedule a free 1:1 consultation and we'll dig into your biggest motivators!
Comments