For so long, I struggled pushing myself with running and felt like it never got easier. I was at a point where I was chasing the adrenaline rush and “runner’s high” that would follow races. I stand by a belief in holistic improvements (tiny improvements in all aspects pertaining to the achievement) towards success but can’t put into words how much this cookbook taught me through my fitness journey.

Part of finding the beauty in the journey vs the destination is falling in love with the process. In fitness, that means enjoying eating healthy and working out regularly. By no means am I an expert on any of these topics and I urge anyone who chooses to partake in anything pertaining to physical activity or nutrition to perform their own due diligence. I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my journey that have resulted in injuries, fatigue, and an unhealthy relationship with food. By sharing some of my biggest mistakes, they can be turned into takeaways for those who read this post or the cookbook -

1. “Truth is dieting does not work and leads to an unhealthy relationship with food…[dieting] leads to thinking about food around the clock, which doesn’t help keep hunger signals at bay…healthy eating should not be restrictive, tiresome, or uninspiring. Nor should healthy eating become obsessive.”

Mistake: I followed diets throughout my life on a quest to reach an ideal weight goal. These never worked and one would think that I would have learned my lesson, but it seemed so much easier as an avid planner, to follow that of a diet.

Takeaway: Diets may work in the short term, but they are not sustainable to maintain long term! If you’re looking to lose weight it is worthwhile to enact a lifestyle change to create long lasting habits.

2.   “Whole foods, without the packaged foods and easy ability to count calories,  leave us better nourished, more satisfied,

and less likely to overeat.”

Mistake: TRADER JOES was crucial to survive college but looking at the ingredients in their pre-made foods made me realize the additional sugar, sodium, and artificial flavors that were present.

Takeaway: I still count calories, without excessive restriction, when I want to get down to a certain weight but try to avoid buying any pre-made foods, dressings, snacks, and sweets. This recipe calculator is my best friend to estimate calories for food items I make.

3.      “A diet rich in whole food fats is essential for a healthy metabolism, balanced hormones, and satiation – all of which prevent weight gain.”

Mistake: I thought fats would make me fat!

Takeaway: Good fats not only have endless nutritional benefits, when consumed in moderation, but they can also add delicious flavor to the food.

4.      “Meal plan like you plan you’re training…and dedicate one afternoon/evening”

Mistake: Not leveraging meal prepping tactics to spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the food with loved ones.

Takeaway: Use the RFES Meal Planner to plan out weekly meals and workouts. WFH has allowed me to not need to meal prep as extensively as when I was going into the office for work, but by creating a plan I’m able to save time by cooking in free blocks and less likely to eat out/unhealthy.

5.      “Shop and cook seasonally”

Mistake: Writing off Farmer’s Markets and organic produce as “too expensive.”

Takeaway: Make it an enjoyable activity! Go to the local Farmer’s Market on the weekend with a friend and cook a fun seasonal meal after!

 

Source:

Flanagan, Shalane, et al. Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow: Quick-Fix Recipes for Hangry Athletes. Rodale, an Imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a Division of Penguin Random House LLC, 2018.