A Balancing Act

If you look up the word balance in the dictionary, this is what you’ll see:

Balance is a really important word to me. It’s something I strive for in pretty much every area of my life.

In trying to tone up more, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what the right balance is for me between indulgences & ”goodies” and more nutritious fare. It really is a balancing act because if you restrict yourself too much to achieve a certain weight or look, you’ll most likely wind up burning out and flipping the switch in the other direction sooner or later, then overeating to compensate for all of the restrictiveness you’ve been enduring. To have a healthy relationship with food, this idea of balance just needs to be present. Since I want to always strive to be my healthiest, happiest self, as usual, I’m applying the concept of moderation to my diet, but I’m just doing so with more intention since I’m trying to lose a few pounds. Sure, I could eat nothing but veggies and lean protein for a few weeks and probably achieve the results I’m looking for, but I just don’t feel that that is the best course of action for me to take. Instead, here are some instances of how I’ve been balancing my love of food while trying to tone it up a bit:

Last Friday, I passed on having a nighttime snack to instead enjoy a glass of wine.

After hiking for 3+ hours on Saturday, I decided that a small cup of frozen yogurt was perfectly appropriate.

On Sunday, my hubby and I went out to dinner. The prix fixed menu came with dessert, and since I knew I’d want to try some, I ate half of my soup and left part of my entree.

I saw a recipe for chocolate chip banana bread on another blog last week and was dying to try it. Last night I made it, and knowing that I’d like to enjoy a slice, I made a light salad for dinner instead of something heavy.

Trying to lead a balanced life is a constant learning experience. Last night I realized that although I had done so in moderation, I had treated myself 4 days in a row. I think that my idea of a good balance while trying to shed a few pounds is treating myself a few times a week, but not every day. Instead of freaking out today and starving myself or doing 4 hours of cardio, I’m just going to skip any treats for the next few days. Balance might sound complicated, and it certainly can be at times, but I believe that it’s a major component of a happy life — whether it be in your diet, level of activity, work, relationships, amount of sleep you get, and so on. Extremes are easy, strive for balance.