Keeping It Real & The 20 Top Fitness Fibs
Around 6 months ago, I decided to change direction slightly with how and what I was sharing on social media. I was too concerned with only showing the highlights, only photographing the ‘heathy meals’ and not sharing the days that we sit down to cheese fondue. At the end of the day, it’s near impossible to be completely healthy and balanced all the time, after all I am only human.
I started embracing photo’s where I looked a little softer because guess what? I’ve gained some weight, it’s not a crime. I think we all know that very easy to ‘fake’ abs and a slimmer body online, just by taking a photo in certain lighting. Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s fake…
Did you know?
A recent study by KP Peanuts revealed that 36 percent exaggerate how healthy they are on social media –and men are the worst culprits (43 percent)
I’m working really hard to have a healthy mind-set, to ensure I head to the gym with a really strong mission to achieve something, not just to burn calories. You know what? Sometimes the struggle is real when you’ve been set to that kind of mentality. On the other hand, training for a personal best (the key word here is ‘personal’) is far more rewarding than working to ‘burn off that chocolate cake’.
Also….
I started really thinking about how I was taking in my calories, I realised that I was ‘saving’ calories or craving sweet snacks because I wasn’t satisfied. My energy levels were up and down like a yo-yo and I wasn’t setting any personal bests, or having as much energy as I needed. I massively reduced my use of protein powder, to once a week or so and saw a very significant reduction in my bloating. I also realised that by starting the day with say 90g of oats, with the addition of a whole egg, almond and coco powder, this kept me far more sustained than 50g with protein powder, berries and all the toppings.
When it comes to protein, did you know that More than a quarter of a peanut is protein? Peanuts are an excellent source of protein, with just a couple of handfuls (or 25g if you’re watching your macros) providing around 7grams and helping to curb hunger pangs. Peanuts also contain essential vitamins and minerals; including Niacin (Vitamin B3), Vitamin B6, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Phosphorus and Magnesium. Vitamin B6 and Magnesium for example, contribute to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
With this in mind, I’ve created a recipe for a delicious nutty, broccoli salad which I’ll be sharing next week…
BUT that’s only what works for me, we are all so wonderfully unique and I do not agree with the concept of ‘one for all’. I strongly believe in honesty, so I spent the day sharing my ‘day of eats’ on my Instagram Story, just to prove that restricted eating isn’t always the way forwards.
On the other hand…
Are people really eating these perfect diets? Or are we still just very carefully sharing our photo reel? I’ve even heard that one very well-known blogger, made an extraordinary claim that she could run a 16minute 5km – The picture was actually taken on the cross trainer…
I was completely honest about the fact that my half marathon (that wasn’t actually a half marathon) took me over 3 hours. How can we share our stories if we aren’t willing to share the facts? I won’t preach about my ‘perfect’ health and fitness. I can’t lift more than I weigh, I don’t run very fast and I’m known in the office for eating a whole extra-large Easter egg in one sitting, after lunch.
Which leads me to health and fitness lies people tell…
20 TOP HEALTH AND FITNESS FIBS:
I drink more than 1 litre of water a day
I don’t watch much telly
I only drink at weekends
I visit the gym regularly
My kids aren’t allowed sweets
I have a normal BMI
I never eat takeaways
I don’t really like chocolate
I don’t like the taste of alcohol
I’m not a fan of fried food
My kids love vegetables
I never eat fast food
I lift really heavy weights
I only shop at organic supermarkets
I don’t eat any saturated fat
I won’t have processed food in the house
I have never tried a kebab
I don’t eat carbs at all
I’ve run a marathon
My children never eat fast food
During the survey, they found that around one in four (23 percent) said ‘everyone does it’, while 35 percent agreed because ‘no-one can be super-healthy all the time’. As previously mentioned, I do agree that we cannot be perfect all the time and why should we?
Another one in five (20 percent) confessed their ‘crime’ for exaggerating a certain lifestyle but added: ‘I am nowhere near the worst culprit’. A comment that leaves me feeling disappointed, it’s almost like some of us are reverting to childhood and saying ‘but Joe Bloggs behaved far worse than me’.
I’m sure I’m not alone in this confession, whilst I’ve thankfully not told any of the above lies. My heart does sink when people say ‘you eat really well, I’ve seen your meals on Instagram’ and I have to explain my complex relationship with chocolate and nut butter. Thinking long and hard about it, I remember that around 6 years ago I quite clearly told someone I could comfortably run 10 miles, then the reality was that I was run/walking and it took me well over 2 hours.
Dam. Maybe I’m just as bad as everyone else.
So tell me, have you told any of the above lies? Or similar? Your secret is safe with me…
Katie
x
