I like to think of social eating as “opportunities.” A birthday party, a family get-together, fundraisers, etc., all loaded with amazing food. I call them opportunities because they are opportunities to make or break me. At least, break my ideal way of eating temporarily.
Many have heard me say that each time we eat there is an opportunity to get stronger or weaker. When we eat a food or combinations of foods that are healthy for our individual physiologies, we feel energized and in our peak state immediately and 1-2 hours after each meal.
If we consume a food or combinations of foods that make us feel worse after we eat, immediately and 1-2 hours after each meal we put added stress on our physiologies and over time breakdown will occur.
It really is that simple!
That whole idea of moderation is really not true for most people, but try this new & improved reflective model for eating below.
How do you feel right now on a scale from 1 (1=you feel horrible) 10 (10=you've never felt better)?
I want you always to be somewhere between an 8-10.
Next time you eat; assess yourself before and after your meal. Food is supposed to give you energy. If it doesn’t and you feel worse after your meal, here are some questions to consider:
- Did you eat too many carbohydrates (grains, fruit, soda, veggies, beans, alcohol)?
- Did you eat too much protein & fat?
- Was the meal loaded with chemicals, was it processed?
- Did you eat enough? Too much?
- Did the combinations of foods effect your digestion negatively?
- Was the food over-cooked?
- Did you forget to chew your food because you were in a hurry?
With every client, I emphasize that we need to listen to our bodies and symptoms and make the appropriate changes. Nobody knows your body better than you.
Are you listening to what your body is telling you? Most of us are too busy too listen.
Brien Shamp brings you 22 years of experience as a Body Transformation Expert, Personal Trainer, Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach, Massage Therapist, Strength Coach for College & Pro Athletes and Reiki Practitioner. In 2011 he was nominated one of the top ten trainers in the country. Brien has a degree in Biomechanics from UC Davis and extensive graduate studies in Exercise Physiology from SF State. Brien won first place in the Met-Rx World’s Best Personal Trainer Contest in 1999 and was nominated Best in the Bay by KRON 4 for Weight Loss in 2009. He is an active author in Parenting on the Peninsula, Ms. Fitness Magazine and his FREE Blog with thousands of subscribers at www.BrienShamp.com.
