80/20 & Keeping it real with Shakeology

I have often given the advice to my challengers when to eat healthy and when to splurge that they should follow the 80/20 rule. That means if you eat good 80% of the time, that it is ok to splurge 20% of the time. The problem with this is the same lie that most Americans say to themselves: "Oh, I eat pretty healthy and don't splurge that much." If we put that to the test: the test in which you wrote down EVERY SINGLE THING YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH FOR ONE WEEK...the results would probably stun you into silence. (Please download My Fitness Pal, a free calorie counter app on your smart phone & find me as a friend on it to share your menu with me.) You really do have to do the math and figure out what the splurge can be and how often. And with American standards, you need to calculate the portion size because we supersize everything all the time.

For example, last week was Halloween. I like many others, definitely nibbled on some chocolate (Reeses are my weakness.) With the 80/20 rule, that means that I could probably have 1 Reeses a day for a week, provided that I ate healthy the ENTIRE REST of the time. What happens is a little slip here (such as an extra slice of bread) or a slip there (putting a double portion of dinner) there. Or for goodness sake, you had to "eat on the run" whether you grabbed a "bad easy snack" or you hit the drive thru that week, you just blew the 80/20 rule and you are more like 70/30 or 60/40. If you were to grade your self on eating well (that's the teacher in me,) you are now at a C- or D/F. Is that what you want for your body? I hope not. I would hope I am a "B or better" because I know I can.

So what do I do? Lately, I have been battling my worst snack time: after the kids go to bed. So I have been drinking my Shakeology with dinner (or for dinner on days when the nausea is bad) or I make it after they go to bed. I usually make the Vegan Chocolate and add a little peanut butter and then it tastes like a Reeses to me. And it helps me avoid eating popcorn (my #1 vice at night) or some other nibbly or pregnancy craving (which has been lemonade this pregnancy.) This is what I am doing to get through and make sure I don't sabotage my hard work during the day or all week. Because believe you me, I can probably finish the whole bag of Reeses by myself in one sitting...almost.

But before I end, let me say one thing. I grew up enjoying food and I believe food is meant to be enjoyed and shared and celebrated. So when you do have the 20% splurge, enjoy it and feel no guilt especially when it is your birthday, anniversary or other special occasion. My birthday was last month and I feel no guilt that I had my favorite breakfast, eggs benedict. But I will tell you this: I only have it on my birthday or Mother's Day because I follow the 80/20 rule and I love to enjoy the 20 when it is "treat time." Enjoy your treat time when you have earned the 20%. I promise you that it really tastes much better.