Entry 2: food is fuel

Hey guys,

Happy Sunday and Christmas eve!

With it being the holiday season, I wanted to talk about food as this can be a really tricky aspect of Christmas for many people. There's lots of yummy food around and often less time to workout as you normally would so it can throw you out of your routine but that is okay! 

I am currently back in my hometown with my dad for Christmas and the house has been packed with all sorts of treats. And I also don't have access to a gym so I haven't been able to do any of my normal workouts. 

And being honest, yes I do do find this stressful at times but I try to remind myself that this is supposed to be a lovely time with loved ones where we can share stories and connect through food. It is also the end of the year, a time where we can relax and recover so I actually think breaking out of the normal workout routine is really helpful here because it lets your body recover whilst also meaning you'll bounce back into it fresher and better than ever in the new year. 

Now this time of year doesn't mean you have to stop working out (I've been going on runs and bike rides) but it is a great time to lessen the pressure on yourself to do them and to maybe switch it up to something different or a little less demanding on your body.

So yes, today I want to chat about food, which may potentially be a little heavier and I want to put a disclaimer here that it involves talking about weight and eating, so if that's not something you're down to read perhaps skip this one. But having said that, I do encourage people to be brave

I touched on this briefly on my instagram but wanted to chat about it on here in more depth because its such an important topic. For a lot of people, I understand that this is a sensitive topic and it will be talked about in an appropriate way but I don't want to avoid talking about it because I believe that having these conversations and creating a safe space for people to be in is instrumental in navigating these challenges.  

Sharing your experiences (if you feel comfortable) can make all the difference in other peoples journeys. Knowing that you're not alone or potentially hearing something that resonates with you and helps you work towards change is massively helpful. 

So let's get to it. 

When I was in high school, my primary sports were netball, football and rowing, and yes there was a time when they all overlapped. Insane right? But that was just what was normal at the time. I trained 5+ times a week as a minimum but when all 3 sports overlapped, there were times when I had morning and evening sessions, amounting to upwards of 8 times a week. 

Now, someone engaging in this much exercise should be fuelling adequately right? Unfortunately this wasn't the case for me and I know it isn't for many people. 

At age 16, I was 176cm tall and weighed in at 53.5kgs. Can you see the issue here?

A lot of people will connect the dots that 53.5kgs is likely not a healthy weight for someone of that height but I want to take a moment to clarify that weight in itself isn't a problem. The number on the scales is completely arbitrary in most instances, especially when its without context. 

It's the reason why I was 53.5kgs that is the problem. 

My daily food intake normally consisted of a banana for breakfast, a muesli bar for morning tea, maybe a piece of fruit or a cracker for lunch and then a home-cooked dinner which I ate most of. 

This is why I was 53.5kgs - I was expending more energy than I was consuming so I didn't have enough fuel to sustain all of the activities I was participating in. 

I was always tired, always getting injured and always feeling low. Yes there are a magnitude of other factors involved but food was the primary suspect and it took me a long time to connect the dots. 

It wasn't until I got to my 2nd year of university and was cooking for myself that I realised how much of an impact food makes on almost every aspect of your life. Getting adequate fuel on board not only gives you the energy to live your life and engage in activities but it makes a massive difference in your mood and thinking processes. 

Now please excuse me being blunt here for a second but food is fuel. That is a fact. 

And it was actually this way of thinking about food that changed things for me. 

Once I started to recognise that food was fuel, I was able to start reframing my perspective on it. It was no longer the enemy but rather a non-negotiable aspect of my survival and ability to function. 

I understand that it isn't this simple for a lot of people but I know that this different way of framing it made all the difference for me and if sharing it can help even 1 person, then I'll be stoked. 

Another fact about food is that it is there to be enjoyed. I mean, why would things taste different and why would we have favourite foods if it wasn't meant to give us joy? 

Food is such a powerful social tool for connecting with others and our different cultures, and we should all be able to benefit from it. 

Yes, some foods offer more nutritional benefits than others but it comes back to that age-old saying "everything in moderation". 

Chocolate tastes great right? And a lot of us would say that its okay to have it every now and again right? 

Well the exact same thing can be said about broccoli, although I personally think it tastes awful but I know some people love it (no judgement I swear haha). But for real, if broccoli was the only veggie you ate, you'd be missing out on so many different nutrients. 

Likewise with chocolate, if it was the only snack you ate, you'd miss out on all the benefits of other snacks like fruit, nuts and crackers.

So let me repeat, "everything in moderation". 

Find that balance. Yes, it's easier said than done, trust me I understand that. But coming from someone who has been working to find that balance, I can assure you that it is a journey worth taking. 

- Alex