The thing that really gets under my skin is when people assume that because I ‘eat clean’ it automatically means I live on lettuce leaves, flavorless food and not much else. This couldn’t be further from the truth, but hey, I can get past this.
But what is really hurtful is when my awesome clients begin to let go of their unhealthy habits and replace them with good ones i.e. exercise and eat regular, nourishing meals, their friends and some family members judge them and make them uncomfortable for doing so!! This is outrageous and makes me extremely sad.
Time and time again people judge others who live differently to them. Whether people choose to live as a vegan, a paleo meat eater (like me) or just cut sugar from their diet, a stern look from the non believer and mini speech about how “wrong” they’re living is never too far off.
What happened to supporting one another?!
Does it not matter that my clients, who are now moving their bodies regularly and eating a colourful diet, feel amazing, energized and can handle stress a lot easier?
I must also point out that I NEVER feel deprived eating the way I do. I eat at least 5-6 meals a day (every 3 hours or I get low blood sugars level and get a tad crazy but that is another story). I still go out for breakfast, I still give in to my sweet tooth on occasion (hello raw desserts or Pana Chocolate!) and I still can go out a have a good time with my friends.
It is just about adding more of the ‘good stuff’ into your life – which in turn leaves less room for the ‘bad stuff’. The gorgeous Jess Ainscough, from The Wellness Warrior, has written a great post about healthy swaps and trading bad food for something much healthier – read it in full here.
Swapping dairy, which is difficult to digest, mucus/acid forming, to nut milk, high in calcium that you actually absorb, high in good fats, easier to digest and tastes amazing, is one great example.
Switching sports drinks (read sugar) for a real fresh coconut (high in electrolytes) and one of my favorite things in the world, is another.
Are you a pasta lover? Zucchini pasta with homemade sauces with meatballs have changed my life (and tummy). There are healthy alternatives for pretty much everything and therefore no shortage of great options next time the haters come around for dinner!
Are you someone who accidently judges others without knowing the full picture? Maybe it was the other way around and you were the one who received the disapproving looks at lunchtime? Maybe you were eating your homemade feast while they ate their mac ‘n’ cheese with a side of fries and coke…?
So what to do?
Smile my friends, just smile!
Talking of healthy food and healthy lives – if you’re in need some major inspiration check out Instagram – there’s a plethora of amazing people doing great things out there that can give you a friendly reminder everyday to get out and be awesome.
My faves at the moment are:
Thehealthytradie / or Facebook here
Sadhanakitchen /or Facebook here
FitnessInTheCity_ (of course) / Facebook here
Simplegreensmoothies / or Facebook here
Melissa_ambrosini / or Facebook here
Joshjohnson
_Sarahwilson_ / or Facebook here
ROXY (and any cool surf peep who get to travel the world and just be awesome!)
Aquabumps / or Facebook here
Let me know your favorites!
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photo credit: shutterbean via photopin cc
I experience the same thing.. if coworkers see me eating a clean, healthy lunch, they ask “what for?” and say things like “you don’t have any weight to lose”. Some individuals fail to realize that it’s not all about weight loss but just feeling good overall. Not feeling sluggish from the carb overload or crashing from that sugar high.
But like you.. I just smile!
Exactly! There is still such a stigma that people only eat healthy to lose weight when in fact the real reason for most is to feel good and live a fuller life!
That was enjoyable to read, thanks for posting it.
Stop by my weblog … Bing (http://www.bing.com)
Hola! I’ve been following your blog for some time
now and finally got the courage to go ahead
and give you a shout out from Humble Texas! Just wanted
to say keep up the great work!
Thanks for the mention honey.
My Instagram handle has changed to @melissaambrosini.
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