Kimpossible Diet

"I don't eat rice." As a Filipino, lots of people usually have violent reactions whenever I say that. "Just once a day? How long has it been? Why? What about brown rice?" So many questions are followed by my statement, and some even start to think I'm vegetarian (which doesn't really make sense if you ask me haha, and I'm not - I love meat!). Most people get really curious about my self-invented diet, and honestly, I don't really believe in generic periodical diets. I think of dieting as more of a lifestyle that you combine with an exercise routine. I'm an active person that loves adventure, and I think being healthy is necessary in keeping up with all the activities I love to do!

I believe that each person's body has different patterns, needs, and reactions. So it really depends per person what kind of regimen would work best for him/her. I want to share with you here my own eating habits that I have been following (as much as I can help it) since maybe 2010, and has worked for me so far. There are lots of articles you can read up on for more detailed explanations on the 13 things I've listed below. I'm no nutrition expert, and there's a chance what I'm writing here won't make sense to some people, but I also read up on articles online every now and then and get tips from my dad, to help me make better food choices and have better eating habits :) 1. No white rice, no white bread.

Simple carbohydrates are evil! They are high in sugar, are absorbed and digested more quickly, and get turned into fat when the energy isn't used up. There are a lot of alternative complex carbohydrates that are better for you since these are high in fiber, lower in sugar and make you feel fuller for a longer time.. and they taste better too (although I honestly kind of forgot how white rice tastes). Alternative to white rice: brown rice, red rice, black rice, and quinoa (my fave of all). Alternative to white bread: rye bread, wheat bread, sourdough bread, and multigrain bread. Sweet potato is also good for you.

2. Drink lots and lots of water!:)

Not only does it cleanse your body, it keeps your cells active and healthy. I always have a water bottle with me that I can refill constantly. Also, sometimes it helps keep you from overeating by staying hydrated.

3. Eat fruit everyday.

I absolutely love fruits! Especially since I have a sweet tooth and try to substitute fruit for other unhealthy things. They not only taste good, but are also very nutritious and good for digestion! I usually eat a banana for my morning snack, and an apple and an orange for my afternoon snack (other options are grapes, pineapples, and other fruits in season). As much as possible, I try not to munch on things and eat food I don't plan to, which brings me to the next point ----

4. Prepare and bring food with you (aka, baon!).

This will help you avoid getting hungry and eating unhealthy food. I usually have fruits with me plus either wheat crackers, granola bars, yogurt, or nuts. Bringing your own lunch can also help control your diet and help to avoid overeating. Skipping meals is a no-no!

5. Try to eat as much vegetables as you can.

Green leafy vegetables like lettuce are high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. I usually opt for salad when eating out, when I'm not too hungry. Garlic, onion, and tomato are also very good for you and makes every meal more tasty - and fancy! Adding a bit of spicy chili to your food can help speed up metabolism and helps with going #2!

6. Always have a good dose of protein.

My dad is a personal trainer - which is why I am also used to living a healthy lifestyle - and he always reminds me to eat protein along with my carbs to help slow down sugar absorption and help burn fat. After a workout, protein is necessary for building muscles. Good sources of protein are egg, chicken, salmon, beef, beans/lentils, and almonds.

7. Good fat is good for you!

Eating fat isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I don't think eating the bad kind of fat is good for you! New fad diets include eating as much fat as you can, and there's been a lot of controversy regarding this. With my diet, I include good fats or monounsaturated fats, which can help you lose weight and lower cholesterol, such as: olive oil, avocado, almonds, and peanuts; as well as omega-3 fatty acids which are good for you heart: salmon, tuna, and walnuts.

8. No to food/drinks packed with sugar.

I think this is self explanatory. But to give you an idea, this means no to sodas, artificial juices, milkshakes, cinnamon rolls, donuts, etc. I mentioned I'm a sweet tooth so it's so impossible for me to completely avoid pastries! If ever, I just have a few bites and share the calories with others :p

9. No dessert unless I deserve it!

I love dessert, but I make it a point to justify with myself why I can eat dessert - Sundays (because it's cheat day) and after a workout/ climb (most especially). Desserts include milk tea drinks, frozen desserts, cakes, and pastries. Dark chocolate is good for you though -- lots of antioxidants!

10. No fastfood!!

I haven't eaten fastfood since I stopped playing college football because I wanted to avoid sudden weight gain from all the preservatives and saturated fat huhu. Just think, if you put a burger on a table, there's a reason why it doesn't spoil or rot for quite a period of time! After a while of not eating fastfood your body will reject it. Everytime I try to eat fastfood, I seriously end up feeling nauseous.

11. No eating animal fat and internal organs.

I'm sure a lot of Filipinos would express how much they love chicharon, isaw, etc. but I really can't. I guess lessons in science class about heart disease and liver disease really stuck with me!

12. Don't skip breakfast!

The most important meal of the day :) there's lots written recently about the different effects of skipping breakfast. Personally, I always try to get up early and eat breakfast because it gives me more energy throughout the day, prevents me from overreating, and allows me to go #2 in the morning! :P haha

13. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION

-- the most important rule of all! I'm the worst person to bring to buffets because I'm used to eating small portions at frequent times of the day; I can't eat a lot in one sitting! I try to stop eating when I'm full and when I'm hungry I need to eat. In other words, eat only if/when you're hungry.

Of course there are some exemptions to these - when I'm a guest and offered food (I wouldn't want to be rude and refuse to eat), when I'm really really hungry and that's the only food available, and during cheat days and holidays! Recently I've been eating lots of things that I know I shouldn't eat, such as potato fries (or "chips", because almost all meals in Sydney have chips), real potato chips, pizza, milk tea, and pancit canton because it's just so yummy :( I'm writing this blog post for me too, to remind myself that I shouldn't compromise health for taste and accessibility!

Whenever I say I don't want to eat donuts or ice cream, people usually say I'm the one that can afford it most. But that's exactly the point - I stay fit because I avoid foods like that, unless I feel like I deserve it (like after a climb or a workout). Also, whenever I say I need to workout or exercise, people say, "please you don't need it." And again, that's my point, I stay fit because I have a regular workout plan (or at least I try to workout regularly). Maybe some people are born with a fit body, but for me, I work hard to stay fit and healthy. Not just because I want to look good, but because it also makes me feel good.

I hope I was able to share things that might be of importance to you too! Like I said, every person's body is different, so you have to see also how your body would react to certain types of food, and test out which diet would work best for you. Remember that diet and exercise is a lifestyle, it isn't something that you do for just 2 weeks or one month to lose some amount of weight. It's about mainentance, discipline, and mindset.

This post's INSPIRATION is on: self-discipline, knowing your body better, and taking care of yourself!

#healthy #livinghealthy #goingbeyondyourcomfortzone #selfdiscipline #womenempowerment #diet