Can You Love Pizza And Pushups Too?

I love eating. 

There – I said it.   I love it ALL –meatball sub, chips, fries, scrambled eggs, burritos, quesadillas, fried chicken, mashed potatoes…….

You get the picture.  If it is delicious, I want it.   Obviously, there are some exceptions (sushi anyone?) but as a rule, I love to both make and eat good food.

So why, when I say that in a room of fitness fanatics, do I get the side eye and then whispers begin?  What is wrong with being both health conscious and enjoying a good meal?

Maybe because of what “reputable” websites and magazines tell us.  If we believe everything we read, and hear, we shouldn’t be eating anything unless it’s leafy and green, or plain baked chicken, or carefully measured kilograms of broccoli. 

But WHY can’t you occasionally enjoy a chicken wing and a beer?  Or a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream?  Or even the occasional Chick-Fil-A sandwich?

Well I am here to say you CAN!   There is nothing wrong with enjoying “forbidden foods” in moderation.

And there’s the key – right?  Moderation.  Of course, it is important to realize you can’t play loosey-goosey with that term.  You do have to have an IDEA of what moderate portion sizes are.

We found this portion size guide to help you out.  Can you have a chocolate brownie?  Yep – the size of dental floss is good- BUT – you can’t eat the entire pan because there’s not a dental floss container that big anywhere outside the bathroom of the Jolly Green Giant!

What about ice cream?  Absolutely – you can have a scoop of the good stuff.  Now, if you eat the entire pint of Chunky Monkey ….. well, the name says it all right?

Even pizza? Yep – a piece the size of one-third of a dinner plate.  However, - PLEASE – don’t eat the whole pie and then hide the box, claiming it didn’t arrive – not cool, dude, just not cool!

If you go to Google and search “eating food in moderation” you will get 32 MILLION results. Some say NEVER DO IT and others say “it’s the only way to eat” and still others say “well if you do it, you’ll gain weight and so you’ll have to work out harder.”

So what should you do to stop the madness?  Well, I found this paragraph from a healthy eating article authored by a PhD, which says:

What is moderation? In essence, it means eating only as much food as your body needs. You should feel satisfied at the end of a meal, but not stuffed. For many of us, moderation means eating less than we do now. But it doesn’t mean eliminating the foods you love. Eating bacon for breakfast once a week, for example, could be considered moderation if you follow it with a healthy lunch and dinner—but not if you follow it with a box of donuts and a sausage pizza.

So look at it this way.  You work out – you lift – you walk – you run – you do WHATEVER it is you that makes you feel good about yourself.

You know what food make you feel good – but you also know a little indulgence now and then gives you something to look forward to.

So INDULGE.  Have that slice of pizza (or even 2!) on the weekend with the friends in front of the game.

Eat that small piece of chocolate cake at your child’s birthday party instead of giving the evil stare to everyone around you enjoying it!

Want 5 spicy hot, fire breathin’, dipped in Satan spit chicken wings?  Go for it.

I've decided life is too short to deprive myself of a few treats here and there. If I'm eating healthy most of the week with chicken, my broccoli and salad, then I will not feel guilty about the hamburger cookout with the fam on Friday!

You know  - I think I’m going to have to have a pizza tonight – all the talking about toppings yesterday and slices today has made me hungry!

And what about you?  What are you going to indulge in tonight while you watch Netflix? Let us know below!

What's the best 10 pound healthy indulgence money can buy? Dying to know? Keep an eye out here at Fringe tonight and see what happens!