Lean in and listen closely because I’ve found the secret to a fit and healthy body. You will never have to try another fad diet or ridiculous cleanse again. All you have to do is follow these three simple steps:
1) Stay active
2) “Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
3) Read Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual
Sound too good to be true? I promise it’s not. Unless you have a medical condition, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say something that usually isn’t very popular to say on the internet. There is simply no reason to be overweight or out of shape. Excuses? Sure. But cold, hard facts? No way.
I naturally have a fairly slim physique but I’m certainly not maintaining it by eating fast food everyday for lunch. I work out a minimum of three days a week on average and I cook healthy meals at home. My philosophy has always been to live as cleanly as possible, which is what Food Rules is about. Author Michael Pollan looks beyond the studies and recommendations of scientists and government and offers tried and true rules that he says, if you follow, will lead to happier, healthier lifestyle. I highly suggested the illustrated version which includes 19 additional food rules and yes, beautiful illustrations by artist Maira Kalman to oogle over.
Avoid Foods That Have Some Form of Sugar (or Sweetener) Listed Among the Top Three Ingredients
Place a bouquet of flowers on the table and everything will taste twice as good
I’m not a doctor, or a nutritionist, or a scientist. I’m just a girl who loves fried chicken and wants to have the body of a super model. If you combine what you read in Food Rules with at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, you’ll see a healthier happier you. If you’re already thinking “But I don’t have time”, stop it right now. I used the say the same thing until recently, I came to a point where I stopped believing my own excuses. Instead of watching an hour of TV, go for a walk. Instead of meeting your girlfriend for cocktails, ask if she wants to do a yoga class first. Too busy to cook on weeknights? Spend Sunday afternoon preparing food for the week.
There’s always an excuse waiting just around the corner. It’s up to you whether you want to huff and puff your way to it or run right past it.
I LOVE this book (but then again Michael Pollan can do no wrong in my opinion). We did the “no foods with over five ingredients and nothing you can’t pronounce” thing and we felt awesome!
My best friend and I were just talking about this topic over the weekend…she and I are both runners and we constantly hear “wow, I’d love to exercise, but I just don’t have the time.” I’m sorry, but no. Do you ever watch TV? Then you have time to work out. I drag my ass out of bed at 4:30 every day and know plenty of people with kids (which I don’t have) and all sorts of other conflicting priorities who do the same. Like I’ve been saying a lot recently, if it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.
Phew, that feels SO much better to get off my chest!
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lesalina Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Always a safe place to rant here! I’m going to leave this book on my nightstand until I’ve read it so many times it comes naturally.
But let’s get to what’s really important here – you WAKE UP AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING?! Lawd, sister.
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Yes! Amen to the most southern baptist church style AMEN. Thank you for this post. I’m so over people complaining. Or that it’s inconceivable to find time to eat well and exercise. It’s about breaking habits and self accountability. And eating green plants. End of story.
(hi, I’m Sarah btw!)
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lesalina Reply:
March 22nd, 2012 at 8:27 am
Hi Sarah! Couldn’t agree more. Not to say it’s easy by any means but it’s time to stop making excuses that are more or less, killing us.
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