Fitness Riot: Philosophy

No "One Size Fits All" Diet or Workout here.

“There is no one way of eating that is right for everyone all the time.

There is no final arriving, rather continual learning.” -Thea O’Connor

Food Philosophy

Diet is a Way of Life. Not a means to "get thin, quick." Just because a diet (again, way of life) works for one person, does not mean it will work for everyone.

For example, a High-Raw Vegan diet (which I am not on, but not opposed to doing part-time) may work for many, some may do it for health purposes, others may do it for moral reasons, but that doesn't mean everyone believes or finds that it works for them. Others have cured digestive problems and other ailments with an Ayurvedic approach, which is strongly against raw foods. Then there are those who feel perfectly healthy and fit eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, healthy grains and lean animal proteins. Different people have different needs.

I hate labels... I am still figuring out my own path, so I'm not here to judge, or tell you what is going to work for you...you have to listen to your own body, make your own decisions on how you are going to live your life! Hopefully I can help you to make the healthiest choices within the lifestyle you choose! Or help give any information I can, or point you in the appropriate direction when trying to figure out what path that may be! I;m still learning...and am here to share the direction I am going in, give a little of my own insight, knowledge, guidance, facts I come across, and any delish recipes I find along the way!

Overall Philosophy:

Eating a plant-based diet, rich in nutrients, low in animal fats and free of chemicals is ideal.

A Few General Healthy & Sustainable Rules Everyone Should Try and Follow:

Never Eat:

High Fructose Corn Syrup
MSG--found/hidden (under many names) in MORE foods than you can imagine
Refined Grains/Enriched Flours
Partially-Hydrogenated & Hydrogenated Fats
Artificial Coloring & Preservatives
Other Highly Processed Foods
Non-Organic Eggs, Dairy, Meats & Poultry
Farmed Fish

Eat Sparingly

Canned Foods (look for BPA-Free Cans)
Excess Caffeine
Fish with High Mercury Content such as Tuna (especially for women)
Soy (85% of soybeans in the US are genetically modified, also the isoflavones in soy may put women at risk for breast cancer)
Salt intake should be no more than 2500mg/ day; 1500mg for someone w/ Hypertension
RED MEAT
Added Sugar
Alcohol (Limit 1 drink per day for women, 2 per day for men)

Fruits and vegetables are NOT going to make you fat! Highly processed, refined foods are the problem...so, I really hate saying to stay away from ANY fruits and veggies...however, watch the portion sizes on the starchy root veggies and the dried fruit--you don't need to "stay away" from them, as some "fad" diets suggest...just sparingly when choosing your daily intake of fruits and veggies!

Exercise Philosophy

Everyone is different. Be careful before you mimic. Find an exercise program that you can stick with, that is right for you, that is right for the stage you are in.The Key to success is to find things you enjoy doing, most days of the week. Again, I am here to share my knowledge on exercise, what I am doing, tips, facts and any fun workouts I think you will enjoy...however, everyone is at a different level, and the workouts I post are not always appropriate for everyone ;-)

Remember, just because you were able to do something at age 25, does NOT mean you should be trying it at age 55. And sometimes the 55 year old may run circles around the 25 year old! I know I have a few clients that could hold their own against someone 30yrs younger ;-)

Try to be active as often as possible (it doesn't always have to be a grueling workout either), do not make exercise into a stressful thing, exercise should be a stress-reliever.

Check out these posts for more of my fitness tips:

Avoid Fitness Failure