(Warning… Super Cute BABY picture below… READ ON!!!)

As many of you know, I had a baby girl in May.  She is the ultimate joy in my life!  It’s interesting how life changes and priorities change.  I’ve gotten a lot of emails on how my life has changed and how I balance raising a baby and keeping a healthy lifestyle.  I would describe myself a very structured type A personality.  Pre-Baby, I worked out 5-6 days per week.  The bulk of my workouts consisted of either a 6 mile run or a Bikram Yoga class (always first thing in the morning).  As far as my diet goes, I would focus on listening to my body and eating when I was hungry… when my body asked for food.  It’s funny how life changes… and more importantly how life changed me!  I knew having a baby would change my life, but I never knew how much my attitude towards things would change.  Now, post-baby, I workout when I can.  I have no set schedule.  I still run and attend yoga when time allows, but my workouts and days are not about me anymore.  I make it a point to take some time for myself… but if  I don’t get a workout in, I don’t stress about it.  I always keep my daughter my priority, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  My body has changed since having a baby, but it doesn’t bother.  I know as long as I listen to my body and stay active, it will slowly work its way back.  The big thing is, when life changes, you have to roll with the punches and make changes to adjust.  

I plan on taking a different angle with Weekly Bite.  My passion is to communicate the importance of a healthy lifestyle, to encourage readers to make the changes needed to be healthy and happy, whether it’s by posting a new recipe, writing an inspiring article, or answering your questions… my passion is to get that message across.  I send out a weekly newsletter and really only update the blog when the newsletter is sent.  I will be posting on a more regular basis, but not sending an email out each time… so please check back often!  The newsletter will still be sent out weekly!

I’ve gotten loads of emails from readers wanting to see a picture of my baby… well here she is…My beautiful baby Marin…

(quoted from the clever & witty Fat Nutritionist)

Yes, you read that correctly.  There’s a huge non-diet movement that’s been spreading like crazy… it’s almost like nobody talks about being on a diet anymore.  Non-diet books are flying off the shelves and people are embracing “normal eating”.  The big question is “What exactly is normal eating?”  There are several books that address normal eating including “Intuitive Eating” and “Naturally Thin”.  Normal eating is basically eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re satisfied.  Do this and you will naturally control your weight while falling into your natural healthy weight.  For a more detailed definition we can go to Registered Dietitian Ellyn Satter:

• Normal eating is going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied.
• Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food.
• It is leaving some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating more now because they taste so wonderful.
• Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating.
• Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life
• In short, normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your hunger, your schedule, your proximity to food and your feelings.

This is a very good definition of normal eating and sounds relatively easy, but for some, it’s harder than you think.  An article in the New York Time’s Blog addressed normal eating with Ellyn Satter’s definition.  There were over 300 comments.  Everyone’s view of normal eating is different.  Someone’s view of normal eating could be eating fast food only once or twice per day.  It’s really important to clarify that it’s both quantity and quality that matters the most.  Eating healthy is very important, but how much you eat is even more important.  If you want fast food, eat fast food, just don’t order and consume the entire supersized value meal.  Normal eating as mentioned above is “going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied.”  This can be difficult for some, but it’s all about having the right attitude.  Food is fun, delicious, and satisfying.  Forget trying to lose weight… carry your head high and your attitude positive.  Let yourself eat what you want when you’re hungry and stop when you stomach isn’t hungry anymore.  Like Ellyn Satter says… “Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps it’s place as only one important area of your life.

I leave you with a question… “What is your description of Normal Eating?”  Let me know… I’d love to hear!