Eating flexibly will be a very straightforward topic for some of us. Some may think it does not need mentioning, as it is just natural for them to eat this way but for others, eating a flexible diet could pose quite a challenge. Very many people will have had an unhealthy relationship with food at some point during their lives: overeating, restrictive dieting (that is any type of diet, by the way), binge eating etc. Learning to make flexible choices around food can provide incredible freedom and peace of mind. Read on for Flexible Eating and Self Care: 3 Keys to a Healthy Life!
Flexible eating is far more than just freedom around food, it is the flexibility of your mind and entire lifestyle: movement, social life, exercise, acts of self-care and so much more. To be able to understand your body’s state, you will need to learn multiple skills and let go of expectations. Letting go and accepting your own body’s signals is the key here. Below are some tools to help you on your journey to being flexible.
1. Mindful Eating
Eating mindfully means savouring the food, and paying attention to every detail of each bite that goes into your mouth.
Mindful eating is almost like meditation while you are eating. You ground yourself by attaching your focus to the meal in front of you and start appreciating it a lot more.
Not only does this help you to fully experience and savour the flavour, but it also helps you become calmer in your day-to-day life. Mindful eating helps you listen to your body and identify foods that you truly enjoy as well as feeling grateful about where food actually comes from. (Some say that food is light, perhaps that’s a subject for another day!)
2. Self-Care & Food Choices
Self-care isn’t just about face masks and bath bombs. Self-care can simply be cooking a meal for yourself and making sure that you are eating fresh, nutritious foods.
It is about taking the time out for yourself to listen to what your body is craving, and take the time to give yourself what you feel like eating. Putting food on your plate that makes you satisfied and nurtures your body, will make you happier and help live a free life, without binding yourself by restrictive food choices.
3. Fitness & Flexible Eating
There is no doubt that fitness and nutrition are very closely linked.
Embracing a flexible eating approach means that you will be having different foods each day. Listen to what your body tells you, not only in regards to eating, but in regards to fitness too.
If you are tired – you need to rest, so take a few hours to chill out and do something else and recover. There is no need to punish yourself, and going all-out having a full-on session when you’re lethargic or lacking energy, or focus could result in an accident – an absolute no no!
Doing that will just make you feel worse, and disappointed. You will also be less likely to overeat if you aren’t tired or overtrained. You will have a lot of energy to focus on work, social life and more time for the delightful creative things that make you who you are if you’re less rigid around your food choices and fitness activities.
