I'm trying to lose weight she said!

Published: Thu, 02/08/18

Good Morning , 

Her stomach was talking; I felt like it was talking to me, lol! She said “Excuse my tummy”. I’m like, Nah girl, it’s cool, it’s all good. Our bellies talk to us all the time for various reasons.

I said, “It sounds like you could eat!”

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Our belly’s talk to us for various reasons. When they are upset, when they are digesting, when we are hungry, etc...

What she said next got me all turned up on the inside in a concerned way. As you know, it’s my life mission to help women lose fat in a sane and sustainable way, plus keep it off forever so that they are not losing and gaining the same weight over and over.  

After saying it sounds like you could eat, she said, I’m trying to lose weight- as if she can’t eat because she’s trying to lose weight! Nothing inherently wrong with wanting to lose weight, if it’s coming from the right place, and you are doing it in a way that will be sustainable.

I then said, “But you still gotta eat”. She say’s “I had a breakfast bar.” << Nothing inherently wrong with a breakfast bar per se. More on that in a moment.

We didn’t really go any further, as she knows what I do.  She didn’t ask my advice, so I didn’t offer it or pry out of respect. I usually don't talk fitness and nutrition unless someone asks. Plus, sometimes folks just have to see for themselves before they will give up the dieting mentality and learn that it doesn’t have to be extreme and rule your life. You have to Live and Learn. I just hope that it’s sooner than later.

So, I was thinking that I could use this moment for a teaching moment, seeing that we didn’t discuss her diet any further.

I do know that I could be way out left field, and that she wasn’t being extreme. That's a saying, right?! Lol!

So, the breakfast bar…. My opinion of them is that they are fine on occasion. I certainly wouldn’t want my clients to have them every day for breakfast. They are a great resource for when you are short on time - no time to cook breakfast, running late, or what have you.

However, I wouldn't get in the habit of having them every morning because you are trying to lose weight. 

I love me a Quest bar, and I use them intermittently when I am in a time crunch and/or when I am training early morning and want to have something on my stomach when I train that’s not too heavy.  I even use them as snacks, or when they are the best that I can do.

Secondly, I’d like you to be eating real food most of the time. It’s easy to rely on bars, but they don't give you enough nutrition in my opinion. When you can eat real food, eat real food.

Thirdly, IMO, it's not enough food! Chances are, depending on your level of activity; you will be hungry again in an hour or so. Your blood sugar will drop drastically, and you'll be hitting the vending machine with a vengeance to get something to eat quickly.

Maybe the bar does work for you, and like I said earlier, I didn't get very many details because I didn't pry…. but in my head, I did because of the whole trying to lose weight thing. Maybe the bar did fill her up for a few hours, in that case, cool! If it works for you, you enjoy it and like it, go for it!

However, if you find yourself ravenous and craving things, then it's probably a no go.

Remember that each meal dictates the next and brings things full circle. Do an audit of how your foods and meals made you feel for the day. Evaluate it at the end of the day, so that you can have a course of action for the next day!

One last quick tip for Protein Bars, Breakfast bars of what have you. Check the protein and fiber content. Make sure the protein is in the 20's, and the fiber is 3 or more. Then you will know that it may have a bit of staying power! Also, add a piece of fruit or have a protein shake to increase the protein amount. Protein will help you stay fuller longer and balance out your blood sugar levels!

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this email and found it helpful!

Yours in Strength and Health,
Xo
Candace

P.S. Hit reply and let me know if you need any help with your fitness and/or nutrition. I love hearing from you, and I answer all my emails back!

 
 

"Any trainer can make you tired, not any trainer can make better."