More and more lately I've heard women in my Pilates classes talkin about their workouts affording them the luxury of food. They talk about earning a meal because they completed a workout.
I've not always had the best relationship with food. I've binged, deprived, limited, followed trendy diets - I've done it all. But what I know now is that food is fuel. Food is not meant to be earned. It's not meant to be feared. Food should not control you.
It is my hope that we stop teaching women they have to live and die by calories and carbs and that they must complete some grueling workout in order to enjoy a meal. Fitness and food are to be enjoyed.
If you're raising a little boss babe, teach her to love her body and the things it needs to maintain a healthy happy status quo. Teach her it's ok to eat the donut without running 5 miles to makeup for it. Don't shame her for eating too much - teach her that eating the foods nature provides us are meant to be enjoyed until you're full!
My relationship with food, fitness, and my body continues to change. Thankfully, for the most part, it's healthy. I eat a lot. I workout a lot. But I don't limit myself. I don't force myself to workout as punishment. I eat carbs. I truly look forward to my Pilates and spin classes. I get outside and I walk. I cook with fresh ingredients. Sometimes I eat donut(s).
I've changed the narrative for myself. I took back control. Only I determine what role food plays in my world.