Nutrition and Burnout

When I originally figured out I was burned out and that life wasn't meant to be this hard, I began reading all of the books. I realized early on that no one was going to rescue me from myself and that, that job was mine and mine alone. Upon reading it became evidently clear that there is a very apparently correlation between nutrition and burnout. I mean this wasn't very far fetched for me, I couldn't even remember the last time I prepared a meal that was well balanced for myself, usually it was whatever I could pull together last minute or could have delivered. So it wasn't shocking to me that nutrition would play a part. However how large of a part I had no idea. Not only had I not been making meals, I didn't even have a fresh vegetable in my crisper (oh I had rotting lettuce but I probably still do today too). When I started looking into foods that would fuel and create as positive an outlook as say thinking good thoughts, I realized how far away I had travelled. I mean my medical condition should have tea'd me off, but when I finally stopped pushing through, all I wanted was vegetables- yep I was craving salads, buddha bowls, and fresh fruit- now if that isn't saying something I don't know what is. Interestingly enough the material I came upon was an extremely high vegetable proportion to meat diet- some may recognize it as close to the Mediterranean diet.

Vegetables should fill half your plate, at least

When I started reading about the recommendations of foods that would improve my mood and feed my soul, it didn't take me long to get on board. the more I read the more I learned that those things that would fuel my body did make me feel much better as well, and the effect of the delivery and meals on the go was having more than just a physical effect on my body but also an emotional effect.

​​I am going to be honest, I didn't follow just one plan, and I don't have the magical cure for you, however I can tell you what made me feel better. Half a plate of vegetables at every meal- yep even breakfast- I know it was weird for me too. Think about starting with tomatoes, avocado and sweet potatoes replacing your toast. I was so far gone that, the transition to this was not difficult because my body was craving it all. However, sustainability would become an issue. Everything is always easy the first little bit after you decide (or are forced) to make a change, but keeping at it in the long term is hard. Granted to this day this is still a challenge that I face but almost 8 years ago while I was off with my daughter after my second pregnancy I'd had amazing success with Weight Watchers, so I thought why not give it a go again. The new WW program has a high focus on vegetables and fruits and these are zero point foods so this seemed a natural fit.

Enter in mood boosting foods

The bonus of adding in vegetables and fresh foods, are that many are mood boosting foods as well. I wasn't worried about macros or counting calories, thought points do coming into the WW system. I respect that foods that are good for you register quite low on the points system which makes it easier to make better choices. Foods like avocados, cashews (which I read somewhere years ago, can act similarly to a popular anxiety medication), oats, salmon, yogurt, eggs, chia seeds and green tea among many others are mood boosting foods.

In addition to mood boosting foods, we should also consider foods that help with reducing inflammation, assist with better sleep, and enhance brain function making focus more manageable.. By being curious about the foods that effect our gut-brain connection, we can make smart choices and ultimately make ourselves feel better at the same time.

How did I get from there to here

Burnout doesn't just happen on day, it is based on cumulative thought patterns and behaviours. When I logged back into my WW account I got the shock of a lifetime, I had gained close to 100 pounds from where I was at my lowest weight after my last successful attempt.

Don't get me wrong this was not unbeknownst to me, I was highly aware of how far I had fallen, but I was at a point of not caring and that was highly concerning. It was as though I was asleep at the wheel and life was just taking me on a ride and I was in the back seat looking straight ahead at the back of the seat infront of me. I wasn't looking out the window and enjoying the ride, I wasn't participating in the conversation or singing along to the radio, I was pulling a "Wednesday Adams Look" (if you know you know) sitting there waiting for life to pass me by. Now I know WW isn't for everyone however the fact that they support eating more vegetables and entice you to move more everyday, it was enough to get me on board.

My next journey is just beginning but I look forward to updating you on my progress, I know I can do this again, after all I've done it once before and never felt better. I look forward to being there again but in the meantime I will focus on what I can control and I will work hard to control my negative thoughts when they come up and keep moving forward with the knowledge I have gained about the many benefits a healthy lifestyle can bring.

I look forward to posting updates on my journey and join me next time on the benefits of exercise.

With love and light,

Leah