We are fascinated and delighted by the Olympic Games. We love to see champions. Here is an important truth that champions know, and that lies behind all the pizza, burger, and taco advertisements that include events on television. You cannot train a bad diet. This also applies to you if you want to lead a productive and energetic life. The alternative is dealing with obesity and disease in the 40-50 years. Nobody wants this “achievement”.
Olympians strategically master their training and many other obstacles, including food intake.
This is not about luck and is not left to chance. Each champion creates a plan to win, faces obstacles, and sets course for problems that arise.
You and I can be like an Olympic champion. If you want to live long and be fit, strong and energetic, this desire is not a matter of luck and should not be left to chance. If you plan your strategic actions, face and overcome the obstacles, and act like a champion, your rewards will far exceed the value of Olympic gold. Decades of excellent health and a longer, more functional life await everyone who applies these personal skills.
The sport is RESTAURANT ESSEN.
Not yet an Olympic sport, this growing part of almost every American’s life is played much more frequently than every four years. Restaurants are an important touchstone of our culture.
In restaurants we meet up, meet friends and colleagues, celebrate family, do business and develop lifelong relationships. We are designed to enjoy and eat special meals. These meals support or impair our health, depending on the planned, practiced and executed ability.
Exercise is also important, but just 20-40 minutes a day is enough. Eating and eating take a lot more time and skill – but restaurant eating skills are obscured by the restaurant’s sales message. It is important to have our heads in the game when meeting a potential soulmate, negotiating a long-term business deal, or joining the family in community. Statistics show that most of them are not busy eating in the restaurant. Millions play this game mindlessly.
You end up with extra pounds, obesity, and disease.
Some of the statistics: – The National Institute of Health says food portions in restaurants have doubled or tripled in the past 20 years, a key contributing factor to potentially devastating increases in obesity among children and adults.
-As of 2019, nearly 40 cents of every dollar of groceries will go to restaurants and other eateries. Eating out is nothing special these days, it’s commonplace. Something that many do without thinking, pacing, or planning to cause personal damage to health.
– Dozens of single meals listed on chain restaurant menus contain more than 2000 calories – the amount the average adult male should eat in a full day.
Average women should eat around 1800 calories.
-71% of the sodium in the American diet comes from processed and restaurant foods.
Research shows that eating outside the home generally leads to weight gain. More than one study has shown that eating in full service restaurants is comparable to, and perhaps even less healthy, eating in a fast food restaurant.
If you want to live an active, long life without the lifestyle disease problems caused by the American diet, you need the focused eating out skills of a champion.
Since we do it often, we shouldn’t pretend that every restaurant visit is a vacation and / or a rewarding event. It helps those who are preparing.
It hurts those who don’t.
Skills to Practice and Enjoy the Restaurant Champion Journey:
1. Plan your experience like a champion to be ready. Go to the restaurant’s menu online and imagine a high quality protein entree, baked, grilled, grilled or steamed.
Great chefs prepare these dishes in heavenly ways, so go to Heaven whenever possible. Add a few fruits and vegetables.
A good waiter will recommend some things that won’t work for you. Watch out for sugary drinks.
Can you handle calories and / or alcohol? Is there room for a high-calorie dessert or a starter? Probably not unless you watch # 2.
2. Create a take home plan for your meal. Do not try to devour 2 days’ calories. Champions win, save calories and dollars by asking for a takeaway box in advance and splitting the meal. Many good restaurants will take half the meal and package it for you.
3. Sharing a meal is fine.
It shows sophistication and intelligence in today’s world.
4. Stay away from the free crowd pullers that chain restaurants offer (or check out # 2 again) like chips and salsa, salty peanuts, or hot bread and butter. These are full of empty carbohydrates, sodium, and fat.
5. Ask about sauces, dressings, and condiments on the side.
6. Starters or desserts? Cut high-calorie titans like cheese or chocolate into bite-sized bites to share or wrap for later.
7. Be Real When You Eat. Enjoy your meal and your company! Look at your food, smell your food, enjoy it in your mouth while mindfully chewing each bite.
Take your time. Distracted eating decreases enjoyment, decreases satisfaction, and causes overeating. Mindful eating is the final key to mastering the dining experience.
Practicing 1 or 2 of these skills will make you different.
Most of the practice will make you a health arena champion.
A study from the University of Texas found that “Developing the skills needed to eat out (especially planning ahead and mindful eating) is essential to long-term health.
Eating out should be a well-enjoyed pleasure (like enjoying good company, your favorite concert, or a sporting event). Practice your restaurant visit (and all meals) with intelligent foresight – an experience to enjoy and enjoy – but carefully and purposefully.
Most Americans eat on the run and cheapen their lives with fast food experiences. They can be purposefully different – like other champions we admire. Practice and master restaurant skills and of course your body and life will become an Olympic masterpiece.
Mike Thompson is a health coach and writes on nutrition and amazing aging. He lives in Richmond Hill, is a certified fitness trainer and founder of SelfCare Sustained. You can reach him at MikeThompson@SelfCareSustained.com.
