Poor eating and nutrition is something we develop from our parents. As babies we eat every two to three hours. We eat small meals. We stop when we are full. And we only eat when we are hungry. It 
is only when our parents take the Doctor’s training wheels off does our eating head south.
Parents teach us to eat large meals. Eat it all off our plate, before we make (not have) room for dessert. Two issues here: 1) forcing over eating, 2) making sugar a reward. As I have begun to take control of my life and relearn good habits I started to read a book on nutrition. What are the rules following the first chapter?
- Eat a variety of wholesome foods to consume a bigger variety of health-protective nutrients. Choose more of the best foods and less of the rest.
- Fuel your body on a regular schedule, eating every two to four hours rather than having one or two big meals per day.
- Eat when you are hungry and then stop when you are content. When eating at restaurants, be cautious of “value meals” that emphasize large portions. They lead to overeating and poor health.
- Take mealtimes seriously.
As a child I was dropped off at my Grandma Ryan’s every morning before being walked to school. What does this mean? Overly caring grandparents. Lets review what was conceived as love and attention for their only grandchild.
Breakfast:
- 16 oz Whole milk
- 6 oz OJ
- Instant Oatmeal
- 4 Pancakes with all the fixings (syrup and butter)
- Scrabbled eggs & bacon
This isn’t the week’s menu; this was served to me and only me every morning.
So when I say we were smartest as children I am not lying. I was taught that food was love and bonding. I was taught that all must be done before you can move on. I was taught that I can have what ever I want as often as I want. These are all deadly habits to have. I have watched my Dad eat entire large pizzas alone, half gallons of ice cream in a sitting, and drift the first snow falls worth of cheese on piles of pasta.
In pursuit of fixing my habits and improving my personal performance I have started to correct my eating habits. Like most sports or achievements, 80% of the success is the practice and preparation. Weight loss and personal wellness is 80% eating and 20% physical activity. Part of my Nth year plan was to get to a certain maintainable weight and to become a cook. As I peel back the onion I have starting to tightly package some of these goals that go hand in hand.
Unlike current events, I am not trying to solve all problems with a board brush. I am just trying to establish good habits to the point that they are second nature supporting the overarching long-term goals. I see my new active life, personal and professional growth goals to be something I have always wanted. I see this infusion of awareness of my personal nutrition (this is key, because like investments there is no generic solution for YOU) as a cornerstone to achieving and supporting my goals/values.
I leave you with this. The key to any change is to formulate the final goal as well as embracing and understanding the rocky path you will trek in this journey. Most things you want that are worth your time, will not come easily. So the competitive spirit and perseverance is needed to make sure you become the person you have always wanted to be….
