The BusyB - Week of 8.6.24 🐝

Welcome to your weekly serving of inspiration, focusing on movement, nourishment, and intention. Let's dive in!

Becks’ Brief 💌

It's that time of the week again where we pause, reflect, and prepare for the week ahead. I'm excited to have you here with me in our shared journey of wellness, empowerment, and balance!

Hello friends!

Life feels a bit unsettled right now because I'm still adjusting after my move. This may explain why my newsletters have been irregular lately. To be honest, one thing I've struggled with for a lot of my adult life is perfectionism, which I know some of you can relate to. I often find myself struggling to show up in life if I can’t do it perfectly. This mindset is something that requires disrupting if we want to make progress in life. Remember, just showing up can look like perfection to someone else. We're often too hard on ourselves, and it's just not fair! So, here's to embracing imperfection in all areas of life. I hope someone needed to hear this today as much as I needed to remind myself of it 🫶🏻.

While I'd love to dive into dismantling perfectionism today, I want to talk about something else that's been popping up in my social media feeds: the concept of "feeding" vs. "fueling." A lot of influencers’ videos showcasing their meals and snacks have been filling my feed lately. Some of these meals are nutrient-dense and objectively healthy, while others feature processed, quick, and convenient foods. The latter often aim to show "balance" or "moderation." While both approaches have their place, it's important not to label the latter as objectively healthy or, as "fueling" our bodies.

Something I’ve noticed is that the influencers who share videos of themselves eating smaller portions and nutrient-dense foods are often criticized in the comment section for having an eating disorder, while those who eat fast food and snacks are praised for "keeping it real 💯" and showing a "normal day in the life." I'm sorry, but eating fast food or processed foods every single day shouldn't be considered normal. Call me crazy or old-fashioned, but I don't think that's healthy at all. Let's be real, there are budget-friendly alternatives available, and I think it's just an excuse for people to keep eating food that may taste good but doesn't benefit their health at all.

Today, we'll break down the difference between "feeding" and "fueling" our bodies and why it's crucial to focus more on fueling (think 80-20). And yes, it's totally okay to finish that cookie you grabbed during your lunch break while reading this week's newsletter! 😉🍪

The Bulletin 📝

When it comes to our diet, there's a difference between "feeding" and "fueling." While both involve eating food, the underlying intentions and outcomes are just different. Feeding is often about satisfying hunger pangs or cravings, focusing on convenience and taste. On the contrary, fueling is about intentionally choosing foods that nourish the body, support long-term health, and enhance overall well-being.

💭 Purpose & Intent:

• Feeding: You satisfy hunger and cravings in the moment without much thought for nutritional value.

• Fueling: You choose foods that provide the necessary nutrients to support optimal body and brain function.

🍎 Nutritional Value:

• Feeding: You munch on processed foods, snacks, and fast food that may be high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and empty calories.

• Fueling: You nourish your body with nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats.

💥 Short-term vs. Long-term Impact:

• Feeding: You get a quick hit of gratification but are led down a path of negative health outcomes in the long term, such as weight gain, energy crashes, and poor overall health.

• Fueling: You are supporting your long-term health by providing your body with sustained energy, improving your overall performance in all aspects of life, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

🧠 Mindset and Relationship with Food:

• Feeding: You are driven by emotional eating, stress, or convenience, and are usually mindlessly munching while doing other tasks.

• Fueling: You take a mindful approach to eating, and create a positive relationship with food, focusing on nourishment rather than restriction.

Nourish & Move 🤸🏻‍♀️

🥇 We’re in the middle of the Summer Olympics, so why not share what the top athletes eat to fuel their bodies for peak performance?

The daily diet of champions: What some of the world's best athletes eat to perform at their best 👇🏻

The BusyB Booster ✨

Fuel Up ⛽️:

Goal: Replace one daily meal or snack with a nutrient-dense food option.

1. Choose: Pick one meal or snack to swap.

2. Swap: Opt for whole foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains.

3. Enjoy: Savor your meals and notice the difference in how you physically and mentally feel as you eat and afterwards.

The Real Deal ✔️

Myth: Healthy, nutrient-dense foods are always more expensive than processed foods.

Busted: While it's true that some “health” foods can be pricey, many nutritious options are quite budget-friendly. Whole foods like oats, beans, nuts, frozen vegetables, and in-season fruits are affordable and offer unbeatable nutritional value. Additionally, cooking at home and meal-prepping can save money compared to eating out or buying processed convenience foods multiple times per week. With some planning and creativity, it's totally possible to eat nutrient-dense foods without breaking the bank! 🐷💰

Uplift 💡

Spread the Love 🫶🏻

Loved what you read today? Your friends and colleagues might too! Share this newsletter with anyone who could use a little boost of motivation in their busy lives. 👉🏻 Share this link: https://thebusyb.beehiiv.com/subscribe 

_{Disclaimer: The content in this newsletter is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is based on my expertise as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. I am not a medical professional. Before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional to ensure these changes are safe and suitable for your specific health needs and conditions.}