How many times have you heard the expression: “You can’t pour from an empty cup”? We have to care for ourselves so we can care for those around us. That’s why how we treat our bodies is so important. This isn’t exclusive to exercise and doesn’t stop when you leave the Pilates studio. How we nourish ourselves is a part of the picture as well, so we’ve got to put the good stuff in us.
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“What does a balanced diet look like for you?”
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There are millions of core exercises you could look up on YouTube. Why not do all of them? Strategy, time, and efficiency, just to name a few. When you have particular concerns and goals around posture, pain, flexibility, and overall conditioning, you seek out an expert for a customized approach.
Similarly, it often feels like nutrition advice is trend after trend. So, what is right for your body and what factors should you consider? What kind of eater are you? Will your metabolism diminish with age? What does a balanced diet look like for you?
I sat down with registered dietitian and nutrition expert Sharon Zarabi to discuss the non-negotiables in leading a healthy eating lifestyle and why we might benefit from choices specific to each of our unique bodies. Check out a few points she shared from our conversation (below) or click the link to watch the whole conversation here.
Triggers
You really need to identify what kind of eater you are. When you really know what triggers you to eat, you can get to the root of the problem. Emotional eater? Mindless eater? Stress eater? We really need to step back and think: “How do I feel every day” and go from there.
Metabolism
Metabolism does diminish some with age. However, this can be preventable with healthy diet and exercise. Choosing the macronutrient-dense foods (healthy fats, high fiber, staying away from processed foods) can have an effect on your metabolism.
Macros
We really need to look at macronutrients. Macros are essentially the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in foods.
Carbs
Carbs are not the enemy! They are the body’s quickest form of energy. You want to ensure that you’re getting especially high fiber carbs like spinach, oats, beans, bran, brussel sprouts, etc.
Calories
Not all calories are created equal. We need to understand the effect that certain calories have on our bodies and our brains.
Balance
There is no good or bad food! Every food group fits in a balanced diet. But how do you define balanced? Think about the 80/20 rule. Be on point 80% of the time, then give yourself some wiggle room to eat those foods that you really enjoy. Think of it as a treat day, not a cheat day!
Click here to check out the full conversation and hear even more helpful tips!
For more information about Sharon Zarabi, click here.
Rebecca Lubart, founder and CEO of Dynamic Body Pilates has been working for more than 10 years to educate people on the relationship between productivity and the mind/body connection.
Lubart’s dedication to promoting pain-free living began with healing a traumatic injury that threatened to leave her in a lifetime of constant pain. On her journey back to health, she founded Dynamic Body Pilates, a specialized wellness program for individuals with pain, neuromuscular challenges, and aging concerns. It is now celebrating 10 years of operations in New York City.