Cultivating the 'nourishment' mindset around food ~ no counting calories here
Hello friends ~ today let's chat about nourishing your mind and body (no calorie counting needed).
Your ‘go-to’ newsletter for holistic self + health improvement to unleash your inner superwoman (or man). It’s like a health coach in your pocket!
Ugh, another fitness influencer flexing their picture-perfect avocado toast while the rest of us mere mortals inhale a Pop-Tart on the run. I tend to follow the influencers that keep it real… and who might eat a Pop-Tart on occasion!
I get it… Healthy eating can seem like a whole different language, especially when you're juggling work, life, kids, etc. Let's be honest here, the overwhelming urge to binge-watch Netflix instead of chopping up veggies for the week is real. I utterly understand that because I’ve been there. A little secret… binge-watch Netflix while chopping veggies for the week!
What if I told you there's a way to ditch the calorie-counting and still eat in a way that makes you feel amazing? It's called the 'nourishment' mindset, and it's your path to cultivating a healthier, happier relationship with food.
I’m going to be honest with you… I haven’t counted calories in 10 years. When I think about eating healthy, I don’t think as much about my weight as I used to. Instead, I focus on energy, longevity, and the desire to feel great every damn day.
I’ve done Weight Watchers.
I’ve counted calories.
I’ve done the Special K diet (do any of you remember that?)
The thing is, I did those types of diets when I was only 110-112 pounds. I wanted to weigh 105. I have a small frame and am only 5’ 2’’. Under 120 was my weight for a very long time.
Looking back, I wasn’t focused on nutrition at all in my 20s - just weight loss. You can’t get enough nutrition from swapping 2 meals for cereal!
My shift into focusing on my nutrition over my weight took many years of living and learning. I started spending time with a new friend who did indeed focus on nutrition. She inspired me! I started researching nutrition when I had the time and slowly started learning about nourishing my body and soul, rather than focusing on how I looked or what the scale said. In fact, I ditched my scale along with counting calories.
I went back to school to finish my degree in my 30s and added nutrition classes to my courseload and that was probably the biggest catalyst to my change. I had to focus on it for an entire semester, researching and writing essays. Game changer for me!
I’m now a Holistic Nutrition Health Coach, Nutrition Specialist, CPT, and Yoga Instructor alongside my 9-5 day job. I went all in! This is my ultimate passion. My truest goal in this part of my life is to help one person every day to feel healthier and happier (and to live longer).
Now, I’m consistently writing about nutrition, health, and wellness, and LOVING it!
I’m going to share some tips for taking the first steps in the nourishing mindset journey, along with a recipe guide of 30+ of my favorites.
When you truly focus on nourishment, it changes your mindset.
Forget willpower, instead think… transformation ✨
Trying to white-knuckle your way through a restrictive diet is like trying to teach a cat to fetch – it’s not happening (I’ve tried). Instead, focus on sustainable changes and nourishing your body. When I adopted that mentality around eating, everything changed for me.
Try these nourishing transformation tips:
Baby steps. Focus on one simple change at a time. Swap sugary drinks for water, sneak in an extra serving of veggies on your plate (or in your smoothie), or cut back on late-night snacking (notice I didn’t say “no more late-night snacking”. Every little victory counts!
Pantry re-do. Do a kitchen sweep and toss out processed temptations. Fill your space with whole foods that make you feel vibrant. Remember, if the junk isn't there, you can't mindlessly munch on it.
Your mindset matters! Plaster your fridge with notes like "My body deserves good fuel" or "I choose foods that make me thrive." It sounds cheesy, but those little reminders actually work.
Celebrate YOU! When you make progress, celebrate the heck out of it! But instead of reaching for a treat, try a new workout class, treat yourself to a pedicure, or buy that book that's been on your wishlist. Keep a list of celebration items (tangible and intangible).
Healthy eating isn't about perfection…
By tuning into your body's needs and prioritizing nourishment, you'll ditch the diet mentality and create a lifestyle that feels good, inside and out.
More on cultivating a nourishing relationship with food, recommends and this week’s recipe ebook 👇
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Grow Healthier + Happier to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.