Q: Gina, How do you manage to eat so perfectly and never need to emotionally eat? I’m amazed how day in and day out you are so consistent with portions, choices, etc. What is your outlet when depleted? I know veggies are your trick to keeping on track but can you lay out how that looks? Since you don’t include it in your meal descriptions, I don’t have a sense of how you work it… wondering if you could paint a clearer picture?
A: Wow, this is a great question. I really relate my lifestyle of eating healthy and clean all the time to my childhood and how I was raised. This is why I always stress the importance of educating youngsters, as I believe our habits are formed before we can even walk! We can definitely develop a healthy way of life, even if it wasn’t taught or emphasized, (as many of you are proving) but it is much harder because you have to retrain yourself, your pallet, your habits, etc. I truly was raised on veggies, healthy meals, huge salads, bbq’d lean meats and fish and lots of spices and herbs to spice things up. Now, not to saw we didn’t have taquitos, pan size pizza’s, jalapeno poppers, frozen garlic bread and other snacky foods in the refrigerator for those “emergency meals” or “just home from school snacks” but the majority of our meals were super healthy. My mom use to make us dilute our O.J. and only pick 5 pieces of candy for Halloween. Now as I have grown my knowledge of health and nutrition and how food affects us mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. I have grown such an interest in diet and nutrition that as I have continued on my journey, I have learned how to be creative with these foods that make us feel the way we do. I am such a firm believer in how foods affect ALL aspects of our lives from our health, mental well being, physical appearance, attitudes, relationships, finances, etc. Everything stems from what we feed our bodies and is interrelated on a very deep level. Of course Fitness plays a role in this as well but Food is our Fuel that Fuels everything we do. We can not think, walk, speak, learn, run, workout, develop relationships, read, write, etc, … everything we do, we need food to do it and that food directly affects how we perform which affects our attitude, not only of ourselves but of others. It is all about learning how to deal with situations and use pure food to keep us pure and grounded! I am so passionate about my believe in how food (and fitness) affects all areas of our lives and want to spread the word and teach people how food can be a big part of your life without it taking over and controlling your life! Wow, I think I got off track but to get back to your question, I have learned how to take my emotions and direct them into an outside source such as working out, reading meditative and self help books, writing, really searching deep within myself to figure out where the emotion is stemming from and getting to the bottom of that issue before using something as a means to “cover it up”. If we do not get to the bottom of the issue, the issue or emotion will resurface!
I use all the tools I am teaching you for those moments I just want a little something…
I do have my moments where I just want fats or more carbs but my choices are on the healthy side. I also have my fun refuel meals but then jump right back on the wagon the following day. That is the key, consistency. You can live a little and have fun but you have to be sure you get right back on track the next day to keep moving forward with your goals. Also, Another pointer is I map out my day as I go. Here are a few examples:
If I eat a refuel for breakfast (i.e. buckwheat pancakes smothered with peanut butter) than I will keep the rest of my meals clean.
If I am going throughout my day and having fats in my meals, I will stray towards the fats and lower carbs for that day…
If I am going throughout my day and having more carbs, I will stick with the carbs and keep dinner light with fish rather than a steak or salmon!
I am always aware of my choices and keep things balanced out. If you have a little extra nut butter, you are sure to be careful with the calories you intake for the rest of the day. It is just about being aware of your choices and making choices based on your previous choices! Rather than taking one meal and making choices that are best for that meal, take each meal throughout the day and look at them as a whole, making your choices depending on how the sum of your meals adds up…
Now, I am human!! I have had moments of over doing it in the nut butter area or having too many servings of my favorite fro- yo (frozen yogurt) but I just take a moment to realize that was a bit of an overkill and tackle it the next day. My moments of weakness or “too much” of something mostly comes from too much of a good food. The calorie surplus may be more of the issue in on of my mishaps but rarely a complete stray in the cookie or pizza department. We all have our moments and episodes but it is getting back on the wagon that allows us to overcome those moments and still keep us focused and moving forward without the feelign of setbacks, failure, and not having control.
Veggies are my savior and not only because they keep me on track and full but I love them! After a show when I have had to cut them out for days prior, I crave Veggies– is that weird. But here is the key, it is not that I crave steamed broccoli—GROSS! I have come up with such yummy ways to prepare foods that I crave the healthy stuff but cooked, seasoned, prepared and made “Gina Style”. If I didn’t have a tongue or talent in the kitchen, I would not be where I am. This is what I want to share with all of you is this way of eating and living that is yummy and allows you to not think of the other not so good for you options.
The bottom line is coming up with healthy snacks and alternatives that allow you to enjoy
I basically eat my veggies (grilled or broiled) all throughout the day. They are FREE on my plan so whenever I am hungry, I eat my veggies– basically the Nu Wave or oven is always going at our house, no joking!!
My first 2-3 meals are typically my oats and eggs or shake and then for the rest of the day, each meal is loaded with veggies!
wow, that was a lot and have so much to say on this topic because I am so passionate to help you all reach your goals without having food control you. You can do it and just take it one day at a time and remember to make your choices based on your previous choices. Take the tips suggested and healthy snack alternative to help you find foods that can satisfy those cravings without the calorie overload. I am here to help you.
hope that helps.