After six weeks of overdosing on sangria, jamon and gazpacho, not to mention crazily delicious pastries and sweets, my holiday on the Costa del Sol is over. Back to Sydney, reality, and three cups of coffee a day. Or four?
Since arriving home I’ve been blessed with a smaller appetite than I left to go on holiday with, thankfully. This in turn has spurred me on with my Goddess Mission, which I unintentionally abandoned not long after starting it back in July. It was smack-bang in the middle of winter, and I was cursed with a voracious enthusiasm to consume the evils of all evils: pasta, rice, and bread at all hours of the day and night.
It’s human nature to get side tracked every now and then, but with summer just around the corner, my anti-cellulite crusade needs to launch into full swing. And better to start now than never.
The part that causes me to stray from total goddess-ness is my diet. A sucker for anything super sweet and cavity-causing, my taste buds are like mini-magnets that attract substances seriously high in sugar, such as lollies and more lollies.
So after searching high and low within the realms of the internet, I have come across an inspirational slide show regarding ‘Fitness Foods’ from Women’s Health Magazine online. I use the word ‘inspirational’ as any adjustments to my diet that will prove beneficial to my waistline, is inspiring for me. Rather than bookmark this slide show, to make it easier I’m going to list WHM’s list of 17 Best Fitness Foods for Women right here:
1. Avocadoes: Contain cholesterol-lowing, monounsaturated fat which keeps our bodies strong and pain-free.
2. Whole Grain Bagels: A form of complex carbohydrates in their natural form (whole grains), low in GI
3. Bananas: An energizing carbohydrate, high in potassium which can reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
4. Berries: Rich in anti-oxidants and protect muscles from free radical damage.
5. Carrots: Complex carbs for energy, and also a form of potassium.
6. Whole-grain cereal: 3/4 cup with skim milk, 60 minutes before working out will boost your endurance whilst exercising.
7. Chicken thighs: Great source of iron and zinc, essential for energy.
8. Chocolate Milk: New studies confirm that milk with a touch of cocoa is just as powerful at replenishing and repairing muscles.
9. Low-fat cottage cheese: High in protein.
10. Cranberries: Prevent and fight urinary tract infections.
11. Eggs: Excellent form of protein.
12. Ground flaxseed: Fibre to help keep you regular.
13. Hummus: Complex carbs, unsaturated fats and protein all in one. Great source of energy.
14. Oranges: Full of vitamin C, key for producing collagen that helps to keep bones strong.
15. Peanuts: The extra fat contained here within may help improve endurance levels.
16. Potatoes: Apparently, a small baked potato is an excellent recipe for electrolyte replacement.
17. Salmon: Rich in protein and promotes cardiovascular health, as well as being an excellent source of omega-3 fats.
I refuse to diet simply because life is too short to be pedantic with food, and there are too many restaurants in this city, let alone the world, that I have yet to try. But I figure that if I can at least incorporate certain foods into my diet that are more beneficial than others, then that’s a start.
