The Balancing Act

"Balance is not somewhere you find, it's something you create." - Jana Kingsford

If you interact with any form of media, odds are you've been bombarded with messages about having a "balanced" diet. These messages are usually accompanied by a string of motivational statements about how a balanced diet along with regular exercise will help you lose weight; which to a certain extent, is true; as long as your 'balanced' diet consists of only healthy foods. 

Before any health enthusiasts or fitness fanatics start launching comments at me about how exercise and a healthy diet IS good for healthy lifestyle: Yes, it's good for those who want to remain slim and toned and healthy, I COMPLETELY agree with you. This post isn't trying to target you or offend anyone or whatever, nor am I saying I'm an expert, I am just telling my opinion of what 'healthy' is and what a 'balanced' diet is, especially for those not looking for weight loss.

Personally, I have tried living what people told me was a healthy lifestyle; I cut out all fatty, sugary, processed foods and the only stuff going into my body was natural. I also exercised 3-5 times a week alternating between cardio and strength workouts. Accompanying this lifestyle, however, came dramatic weight loss. Although some may see this as a good thing, I was relatively happy with my body at the time and really WAS just trying to be healthy, not slimmer. It also didn't help that I have a fast metabolism, which only added to the weight loss.

So after some research and some personal reflection about where I wanted to be, I created my OWN version of a healthy and balanced lifestyle and diet, that doesn't make me lose weight.

I still try to go for a walk or a light jog 3-5 times a week, although it is getting more difficult to find time and motivation now that my social life is expanding and finding a job is becoming more crucial. My diet, however, is not what some would call "balanced" (that sounds REALLY dramatic, oops). I still eat some healthy food, a lot actually, however I don't cut out unhealthier foods. For example, I usually eat a healthy breakfast: muesli, yoghurt, berries, honey, and cacao powder (unprocessed, raw cocoa powder). I may also eat some other fruit or veggies during the day, or for dinner. This is where the healthy food stops, though. I eat ice-cream, chocolates, potato chips (or crisps), lollies (or sweets), and foods like that (not all at once or all in one day, just in general). I don't limit myself. I don't eat as much of it, but that's mostly because I'm full from whatever healthier food I've eaten. I tried eating healthy full time and then having 'cheat days' but I found myself craving fatty food too much! Besides, I don't find fatty foods as 'cheating' as I believe they are part of a balanced diet. I have found that this balance between healthy food and processed food and exercise has really worked for me and I feel healthy without looking like I've lost weight.

Anyway, I don't think I have anything else to comment on, and I'm super tired so my brain is starting to become all muddled, so I'll leave you with this: don't worry about what ONE person says about a 'balanced' diet. Their goals may be different to yours. Look around and listen to a variety of ideas and to yourself, then figure out what works as a balanced diet and lifestyle for YOU! You are unique and you WILL find a balance that suits your goals, life and body!

God bless and lots of love, Maddy

P.S. Regardless of whether anyone actually reads this blog, I'm going to try to write a post at least once a week, uploading it around the same time (Monday nights, Australian time). It's just going to be a place where I dump the random thoughts in my head and if you feel the need to read it, great, if not, that's fine too. I'll also be putting up a book review (hopefully) on the last Monday of every month. This will 1. Encourage me to read more and 2. Let any readers know my ideas or opinions about what I'm reading. Thanks x