Week 2: Better Body and More Energy Challenge
by Tanja Djelevic | March 27th, 2008 | Comments (5)
topic: Fitness | tags: diet, eating, energy and food
Diet.
I shiver just hearing the word. Don’t you? How many have you tried? Most importantly, how many have failed you? Food is always a part of our life experience. In my country, Sweden, we socialize a lot around food, and it becomes a nice time to meet with friends. In the healthy world of fitness, nutrition is a cornerstone in progress and energy levels. In a baby’s life what we feed it, is a necessity for development and life, and when we get old, we are very aware of the same thing. So why then do we get lost in the middle? In between infancy and old age, we develop a tortured relationship with food. Most people I know, including me, have issues surrounding food. From deciphering food labels to eating out to making healthy choices, what we put in our mouths can be the most difficult decision we make each day.
Week 2 Assignment: Love Food
That brings me to this week’s assignment. I invite you to create healthier eating patterns, which can help you celebrate food and eating (again), by rethinking some of your concepts surrounding food. There is no reason why we cannot enjoy our food experiences, after all, it is what keeps us alive and healthy, and gives us energy and even joy at times. For this week, try focusing on these three concepts and see if they help you fall in love with food (in a healthy, joyous way).
1) Try to let go of any negative feelings you have about food. Think about food in this way: “The food I put in my body is healing my body, giving me energy, and it tastes good too!”
2) Wean yourself from processed foods. Try to stick to foods that are as close to the way Mother Earth gave them to us.
3) Enjoy! Make your meal last for at least 20 minutes, and allow yourself to really taste the food. Notice the texture. Chew slowly and thoroughly. Stop eating when you feel satisfied but not full. Can you feel where that is?
I whole heartedly am going through this with you, constantly. I too get lost in a controlling web, and sometimes it is hard to find the joy in the things we have to do every day. Take your diary (if you haven’t bought one yet, I recommend it, it is going to be your guide book to yourself when it is done!) and write down the three concepts, and practice them this week, share them with your loved ones, and discuss with me or your friends. Integrating them into your life, slowly, will make them attainable. And remember, you are on your way to a better, healthier and more joyous you! Most of all, try everything with and open heart and a mind of a child.
Please let me know how it goes and live Life Loud!
Tanja
Tonja, I love the Yoga stretches in your fitness videos. Have you released any Yoga Videos?
Hi Debbie!
Thanks for your comment! have not released any Yoga dvds but I try to incorporate all styles in my teaching there is a little bit of everything in the other dvds. I do have my own yoga practice that I do a bit of everyday! Are you a true yogi or open to new things, like fusions and mixes of modalities?? Whatever the answer is, keep it up, make sure you enjoy it and stay smiling!
Best
Tanja
Tanja,
I am pretty new to Yoga, I have a few DVD’s that I enjoy. I must say, however, your Cardio Fusion is the best investment I have made! I absolutely love it and have had great success with it.. 8 lbs. so far!! I have recommended it to many of my friends. In fact, a friend and I went to Target last night after she and I worked out to your video so she could buy her own copy. I am a little older than my friend and was happy that the work out kicked her butt too! Thanks for your help and let me know when you release more of your work. Debbie
[…] order for the body to build up again, we of course have to take in the right nutrition (which was week 2 of the challenge!) and another thing that happens is water retention since the body is in a state […]
Tanja,
I just wanted to say thank you so much! I got your Scultpting Bar Work Out DVD at the local Jenny Craig’s and I love it. I work out with it every day and noticed great results right away. I’m in my mid 50s and never did this kind of thing before, but it turns out I really enjoy it and I can’t believe how I look now! And I feel great, too! Your DVD and bar have made all the difference. I’ve lost more than 25 pounds and I don’t think I would’ve lost so much or looked this good in such a short time if it wasn’t for you. I’m very happy and just wanted you to know!
Take care,
Sherry Seto