Have you ever taken a minute to think about why we eat what we eat? Why we eat when we eat? And/or the triggers that make us want to eat? Obviously hunger comes into play at some point, but for most of us, there are other environmental cues that trigger us to eat: boredom, depression, procrastination (this one’s my biggest downfall), happiness, etc. Being that it has been almost a month since our first bikini/figure competition, I’ve been spending a substantial amount of time analyzing my relationship with food. And that is what it is…..a relationship. In fact, I can’t think of a single person or thing I have thought more about in my life-which now that I’m typing this, is kinda of sad (but true).

So, as I was journaling (I’m pretty sure that’s a word in urban dictionary) the other day, I had an epiphany. Why is it OK for me to justify to everyone in my life the importance of exercise without being as consistent with my message regarding diet and nutrition? In other words, how is it that I make the time to squeeze in a 2 hour workout everyday while on vacation, yet all of a sudden forget how to eat properly? At that moment I realized something that I’ve never truly acknowledged: society more genuinely supports living an active lifestyle and exercising than eating correctly. Picture this….it’s post Thanksgiving dinner…It’s OK to take that walk afterwards because you are supporting your heart health, but if you choose not to eat the slice (or two) of pumpkin pie when you get back, you are looked at like some estranged person who “must be watching their weight”. In reality, aren’t we all, always, watching our weight? Truthfully, isn’t this something so important that we should be aware of it, just like we are aware of our finances (hopefully)?

Now please don’t get me wrong. I am, by no means, blaming my friends or family. I guess I’m just raising the question: why? Why is it OK for society to overeat during the holidays or while on vacation but it’s not OK to stop being active? Why do we get judged every time we order a salad (with dressing on the side of course) but congratulated when we step into the gym? Maybe we need to start looking at eating healthy in a positive, more supportive, light. Maybe, just maybe, we should reward one another for making the right eating choices rather than give them a hard time that they are eating healthy.

Those are my thoughts for now. If you’ve ever experienced this situation or have any other helpful thoughts or insight, click follow on our blog and/or leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you!!!