Tim J Vance

I recently put together the 11 Laws of Fitness, a few pearls of lifestyle wisdom that
should help folks lead a healthier, happier life. But, lately, I’ve been thinking –
why should exercise get all the attention? Sure, No.11 on the list is “Food and
Nutrition,” but given the huge role food plays in our health, doesn’t it
deserve its own list of laws?The answer to that question, my friends,
is “yes,” so here’s the latest in the 11 Laws of Nutrition, a series designed to get
you thinking about what, why and how you eat. Hopefully, it’ll inspire you to take
all the hard work and commitment you use on the exercise mat and transfer it to the
placemat. Here is law No. 9. (And, in case you missed the others, here are No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No.
5 , No.
6, No.
7, No.
8 and No.9)Have you ever attended a holiday meal with the forgone
conclusion that you were going to eat yourself sick? Have you ever flown to sunny St.
Somewhere with the knowledge that you’d be seeing the sites though a sugar-spiked
haze? Have you ever let your grumbling tummy allow you to succumb to the call of the candy
aisle at the gas station?If your answer to all of these questions is
“no,” you can color me impressed. You are a true nutritional badass. But if
you answered “yes” to any of these — or just shrugged and declined to comment
– I pass no judgment. Eating right in such situations is a first-class challenge. But
I’m here to tell you this: You’re tougher than you think, especially if you
walk into situations like these equipped with my next Law of Nutrition: Vision.Vision means you keep your eye on the prize, even in difficult situations, and adapt
your healthy diet on the fly instead of surrendering to junk food.Vision goes
hand in hand with Consistency and Variety. The
combination of the three works together as a triad that creates a platform for success.
Consistency means you commit to eating what you need to succeed. Variety allows you to
shift your diet when those needs change. Vision combines the two. When you’re in a
jam, it allows you to use Consistency as a beacon and Variety as a tool to adapt
quickly.Think outside the box. Ask yourself, “How do you eat healthy
foods in tricky situations?” Sometimes, the answer is obvious. At those holiday
dinners, simply eat less and choose wisely. That succotash might not be perfect, but
it’s better for you than the garlic mashed potatoes. Ask for turkey breast instead
of thigh. Walk away from the dinner roll bowl. And just because Uncle Mort goes back for
thirds doesn’t mean you have to. If you’re feeling a little peer pressure to
pork out, again, use your Vision. First, look at the possible future 20 minutes from now,
when you’re sitting on the couch, pants unbuttoned, feeling bloating and gross.
Then, look at an alternate future 20 years from now, where you’re looking and
feeling great (better than poor Uncle Mort!) because you spent a lifetime eating right
under pressure.Other situations are a little more complicated. Cross-country
driving, for example. There’s just no need to see our beautiful land while snacking
on truck stop fodder. Before you head out, have the vision to pack a cooler filled with
strawberries, blueberries, hummus, carrot sticks, veggie sandwiches on whole grain bread
and bottled water. You’ll never be that far from a grocery store, so make a point of
restocking whenever you see one, whether you’re running low or not.If
you do end up at a truck stop, experiencing hunger pangs with nothing but garbage around
you, use Vision for a little self-check. Ask yourself if you really need that hot dog. Do
you think you can
survive for another 20 minutes on a bottle of water until you get to a place that
sells decent food? It depends on how badly you want it. And when I say “it,”
I’m not talking about processed, nitrite-packed tubes of mystery meat that have been
sitting in a heater for two days. When I say “it,” I mean your desire to
achieve, to strive, to be the healthiest you that you can be.In other words,
your desire to turn your Vision into Reality.Check out Tony Horton’s new
meal delivery service, Tony Horton’s Kitchen, at tonyhortonkitchen.com, as well as his
website www.tonyhortonsworld.com.

Continue Reading

Health & Sports on AskMen