when I walk into Target.
And that’s not a bad thing. In the middle of a grey and dreary Central PA winter it reminds me that summer is not too far off.
Lots of cute new styles this year too… I am loving the strappy look that is showing up in swimwear and pretty much everywhere. Definitely need to update!
What can we do now so that we’re ready to rock those cute swim suits (and shorts, rompers…you name it!) a few months from now?
While working out is important, what we feed our bodies on a daily basis might be more important. After all, according to the Whole30 program, “It starts with food.” Some experts, including Mark Sisson, author of The Primal Blueprint, say that 80% of our body composition is determined by what we eat. Yeah, you heard me, 80%.
It’s not as simple as calories in/calories out. In theory that is true, but there are so many variables. Putting the right foods in your body makes the whole process so much easier.
You see, when we eat too many carbs, especially those that are highly processed, our bodies produce extra insulin to deal with those carbs (that are essentially sugar.) Chronically high levels of insulin put our bodies in a fat storage mode, rather than a fat burning mode.
Now I don’t know about you, but I’d sure as hell rather be burning fat than storing it.
But basically it boils down to this…fuel your body with real food. Eat lots of non-starchy veggies, some fruit, high quality protein and plenty of good fat from sources like olive oil, avocados and cold water fish. I recently wrote a post about fat. If you missed it, here you go: The F word
If this all sounds too vague, and you want a little more structure, I highly recommend these three programs (which I also mentioned in The F word):
The Primal Blueprint 21 Day Total Body Transformation: I love everything from Primal Blueprint (don’t even get me started on their avocado oil mayo!) and this program is no exception. This program incorporates diet and exercise, all of it designed to help you make the switch from storing fat to burning it. You can buy the book for $22.95 and do it on your own, or sign up for the 21 Day Transformation Program which is a digital program where you get the ebook, audio book, tons of recipes, an app, and daily email support. This starts at $39.95 and looks amazing.
The Whole30, created by Melissa Hartwig, is another program I love. Big shout out to my friend Keren and my mom who both recently completed a Whole30, both with great results. This program eliminates foods that are common allergens and causes of inflammation for 30 days, then carefully reintroduces them. Best place to start is by reading It Starts With Food.
Eat Fat, Get Thin, created by Mark Hyman, MD, is also worth a look. This incorporates more plant based protein than the others. Of the three, this is the only one that would work for vegetarians and vegans.
As an FYI, most of the recipes I post on this blog fit in with all three of these programs.
If you have questions about the specifics, or which might be best for you, feel free to shoot me an email: elizabeth@elizres.com
Just so we’re clear, I’m not saying you shouldn’t exercise. Moving your body is still super important to your overall health.
But moving your body doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym for an hour. (Although you are certainly welcome to, if that’s your thing!)
Go out and walk your dog. Turn on some music and dance around the house. Fit some mini workouts into your day. I love the Bosu Balance Trainer for this. I’m planning to do a whole post on it, but for a sneak peak head over to my Instagram @resnickelizabeth and scroll down…quick video of one of my favorite moves, and my dog KO makes a cameo.
So don’t be scared by those swimsuits on display everywhere you go…take some action so you can totally rock one!
Can eating real food and having fun moving your body help you feel happy, healthy and hot? Absolutely…that’s what it’s all about!
You will be happy eating real, satisfying food that doesn’t require all types of weighing and measuring. Everything you are putting into your body is healthy and nourishing. And that beautiful body in some cute new clothes this summer? Very hot!
SHOP THE POST:
Primal Blueprint 21 Day Transformation Program
Primal Blueprint 21 Day Total Body Transformation Program book
It Starts With Food
Eat Fat, Get Thin
Bosu Balance Trainer
PrimalPlum says
I’m on day 5 of Lent, for which I am doing a Whole40, I guess you could say. Love, love, love good fats. And it’s true, I don’t think about eating as much when I am eating enough fat (I did have a bit of carb flu on Day 3 though). I love doing a Whole30 for Lent because when people ask why you’re giving up alcohol, sugar, vegetable oils, grains, and processed foods for •gasp!• 40 days, I say simply, “It’s Lent.” It’s the only time they don’t hassle me. How odd is that?
Elizabeth Resnick says
Hey Primal Plum, a Whole40 is even better. And crazy that we ever have to explain why we eat the way we do. But glad you can use Lent as a reason!