Dashing Dish

If you haven’t already noticed, I love to eat healthy! Honestly, my body CRAVES healthy food, and I love how I feel after eating a delicious healthy meal! I must admit, however, that there are times when I (like all people) am not perfect! I have days when I eat more than my body needs or I go overboard on a piece of dessert (I have a major sweet tooth!) :)

When those times of ‘overeating’ occur, I usually wake up the next day feeling a bit ‘puffier’ than normal! I have learned that there are a few simple steps that help me ‘bounce back’ and get right back on track! That’s what living a healthy LIFESTYLE is all about after all…Not perfection, but balance!

1. Don’t feel guilty! It’s a fact that no one is perfect or eats perfectly ALL of the time! Also, feelings of guilt can lead to other ‘unhealthy’ behaviors, and even vicious cycles that will only lead to more overeating! Just decide it’s in the past and move on!
2. Don’t worry about gaining weight! Despite the fact that you may feel ‘bloated’, you more than likely didn’t even gain one pound! Remember, it takes 3,500 calories to gain a pound of fat…Which means you would have had to consume about 2 entire frosted cakes, or an entire ultimate deep dish pizza PLUS an order of bread sticks by yourself (on top of your daily calories) to actually gain a pound!
3. Drink enough water! Many times overeating equates to taking in too much salt, (which is why you almost always feel bloated the next day.) Be sure to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water the next day. (Tip: I put lemon juice and Stevia in my water to make it more enjoyable!)
4. Eat balanced meals! Starving yourself BACKFIRES! I have already mentioned that when your body thinks it’s ‘starving’ it will slow down your metabolism, and may even set you up for another binge later on because you get so hungry! Instead, try eating smaller, more frequent meals, and listen to your body! It will tell you what it needs! (Often times, I crave salads, fruits and veggies after over-eating a lot of processed foods! Trust that your body knows what it needs to create balance and get back on track!)
5. Eat more fiber! Consuming too much food at one period of time can cause short-term bloating and constipation. Fiber-rich foods like veggies, whole grains, fruits, and beans can keep your digestive system ‘moving’ and working properly!
6. Don’t wear yourself out at the gym! This goes hand-in hand with starving yourself. It will only wear your body out, and cause you to be exhausted! Instead, try doing a few extra activities throughout the week to get your body moving, like walking, taking the stairs, or adding 10 minutes onto your cardio routine.