Is eating healthy weird?
Q: In your last article you told a story of a woman from South Africa who lost 60 pounds after training with you. You also mentioned how the diets in other countries like South Africa are much healthier because they eat natural foods that are not processed like foods here in America. I too eat healthy foods but am amazed at how many people find my eating habits to be strange. They constantly comment, saying that they don’t know how I eat so boring. This has led me to believe that eating healthy can sometimes be hard for people simply because of the peer pressure that they get from others. Do you see the same thing when you try to teach someone how to eat correctly?
A:. Whenever I train new clients and teach them the basics of proper eating, I know that there will be a friend or family member who feels uncomfortable with the changes they see in their partner in crime. They will say things like, “Why are you eating those weird foods; you’re no fun anymore,” or “I can’t believe you are doing this.”
The truth of the matter is eating healthy foods isn’t weird at all; it’s the American diet that’s weird. Most of the rest of the world still eats good, wholesome, natural foods like grains, lean meats, fruits and vegetables. It’s only the good old USA that feels the need to super size everything and add large amounts of salt, sugar and hydrogenated fats.
Here in the land of plenty, we have become so used to loading foods with excess calories that most people think nothing of having whipped cream with their pancakes, eating lunch out of a vending machine or guzzling sodas loaded with high-fructose corn syrup all day long.
We eat larger, less frequent meals and rely on prepackaged, processed foods that are quick and easy but have little to no nutritional value. I guess you could say it’s as American as hot dogs and apple pie, and yes, there will always be those who will give you a hard time for trying to take control of your life. After all, misery loves company, and if it were easy, everyone would get in shape. The good news is eating healthy, exercising, and looking and feeling good about yourself can be addictive. Once you experience it, you’ll be hooked. Your critics will watch from afar, and when they see the positive changes that take place it will just be a matter of time before they start asking you to help them do the same.
Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to help someone else who would like to get in shape, and in time, the people around you will realize that what you’re doing is the right thing to do.
So if you are feeling as if you’re alone in your quest for health, just remember that eating healthy isn’t weird; it’s just a little misunderstood. Don’t cave to the pressure, and be an example for others to follow.
