Developing a healthy relationship with food
Changing perspective about your everyday consumption
I used to love eating unhealthy food. Actually, I still kinda do. I just can’t help how tasty it is. But I’m also aware of how it’s affecting my body. On one hand, it tastes heavenly, on the other hand it’s a lot of empty calories.
I needed to find a state of grounded neutrality where I could relish my plate every time without having to think about putting a few pounds on. This is where my perspective changed entirely.
The theory of longevity
A few weeks ago, I happened to pop over to my local bookstore to see if any new interesting arrivals would captivate me. Soon enough, A pale blueish book titled “Ikigai” caught my attention. It was a book based on small town with people who lived very long lives. They were all healthy, happy & self-sufficient. The more I flipped through the pages, the more I was fascinated.
Not only did they live long, they also ate the right amount, exercised the right amount and also somehow were mentally happy throughout their lives.
What kind of DISNEY MOVIE were these people living in? How could they lead perfect lives?
Ever since I read that book, I couldn’t get it out of my head.
Here’s a story of what they did
(A true story. )
Having a good relationship with your mind and listening to your body is one of the major points they all believed in.
1) They ate out of smaller plates
The people who resided in that village ate smaller portions by using smaller plates & bowls. It was just that simple.
Of course, I wasn’t going to believe that, so I tried it myself.
I grabbed a small bowl, sat down on the dinner table & put all the distractions away. Here’s what I found out.
- Eating got a bit boring. I could taste food a lot better compared to when I used to stuff myself in front of the TV, but it seemed like a chore.
- Surprisingly, because it was a little boring, I wanted to get it over with. And I didn’t really feel like going for seconds.
- I tried this for a week. And turns out, I did eat a lot less!
It does really work!
I haven’t gone to my usual habits ever since.
2) They stuff only 80% of their stomachs
Although, it’s nearly impossible to calculate the percentage of how much you’re putting down your throat, you can give your brain enough time to tell you how your stomach feels.
When you’re not on your phone or watching tv, you tend to concentrate on the food entirely and this gives enough time for you to feel how much you’ve eaten.
If you chew your food right, it feels much better going down your throat.
3) They were big fans of low intensity movement
Turns out, you don’t have to run like a pig and spend the next few seconds panting like a dog, grasping for air!
The entire village took up tasks that involved walking, maintaining their gardens, and deciding to use their legs instead of using an automobile!
Changes start small. Habits grow over time.
This quarantine period, let’s make an impact. Not in other people’s lives; but in lives of our own.
To be better, to thrive & to be the best version of ourselves.
