Karen Repassy: Do you really eat well?

Back in the day, when I would answer the phone for Winter Garden Yoga, I got to know our potential clients well.  

Someone would call and say, “I am always tired, I am 20 pounds overweight, I am on blood pressure medicine, and I am on the brink of being diabetic. My doctor said yoga would help me.” 

I would say, “Yes, yoga can definitely help you with that. We also have plans that include nutrition that will get you serious results regarding your overall health and wellness.” 

Inevitably they would say, “I eat well. I don’t need the nutrition. I already eat healthy.” 

Really?

In the beginning, I would try to convince them about our nutrition plan. This was coming from a loving place of truly wanting to help. I could relate to our clients, because I have been there and struggled myself. Also, as a nutrition counselor, I know nutrition plays a huge part in health, body composition and energy. So when I hear all three parts out of balance, I know the nutrition plan will help them, just as it has helped literally hundreds of people in the Winter Garden area.   

But I began to understand that people are attached to thinking they are eating healthy. 

I am not saying they were not making healthy food choices, but a good nutrition plan balances health, performance (energy to do things) and body composition.  So there was definitely something they were missing regarding their nutrition plan. 

So if you find yourself saying, “I eat really well, but I am still 20 pounds overweight,” “My diet is healthy, but I often feel tired and out of energy,” or “I make good healthy choices, but I have type II diabetes and high blood pressure,” then your nutrition plan most likely needs some tweaking.  

Here are three things you can do to begin eating healthy right now. Be sure to consult with your doctor or health care provider before trying this or any nutrition recommendation. 

1. Keep a food journal. Logging what you eat cures what is called recall bias, which basically means an error in recalling what you actually ate. When you say you eat healthy, you are recalling the spinach you had two days ago, the apple you had as a snack and the salad you had for dinner. You are not recalling the pizza you had three days in a row. Once you start logging everything you eat, you begin to notice the times where you may not be making the healthiest choices. Bottom line: It keeps you honest. 

2. Focus on a balanced approach and nutrient-dense foods. Every time you eat, focus on eating lean proteins and nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits. Start with dark, leafy greens for vegetables. When you have fruit, focus on berries and apples, because they are loaded with nutrients, fiber and water. 

3. Find a fat-burning nutrition plan. Fat-burning diets balance all three components of nutrition: body composition, health and performance. This way of eating leaves you feeling energized, satiated and motivated. Fat-burning plans are a sustainable balanced, healthy way of eating.  

Karen Repassy is a professional nutritionist and certified yoga instructor at Winter Garden Yoga, 12 W. Plant St., in historic downtown Winter Garden. Karen is certified in functional yoga instruction and metabolic-effect nutrition. You can learn more about Karen and the classes offered at Winter Garden Yoga by visiting wintergardenyoga.com, calling (407) 579-9889 or emailing [email protected].