I've been desperately wanting to write this post for weeks now.
I like sharing pictures of ice cream and pizza on Instagram because I want---no, I NEED---you all to understand how much of a "normal" (what does that word even mean?) person I really am. I went to Cleveland last weekend and ate out for nearly every meal, including pizza and pancakes galore. What can I say? I loved food before I even loved nutrition.
I really am a foodie at heart. So when I post a What I Ate Wednesday and you don't see any ice cream, it's not because I don't ever eat ice cream. I'm sick and tired of people portraying themselves to be something they're not, painting a picture of the ideal woman who only eats Quest bars and broccoli slaw and making everyone else feel like crap. The truth is that I work out often and I balance fun foods with green smoothies, which I actually adore. I don't force myself to eat healthy to be thin---I eat healthy because I actually love the taste of hummus, sweet potatoes, lentils, and bananas. I love how healthy tastes and feels, but you won't see me passing on pasta, either.
I live in a world where people judge and pick apart everything I do. That's what happens when you're a food blogger or health professional. If I post a picture of ice cream, is some vegan girl going to unfollow me? If I didn't eat any green veggies today, is everyone going to think I'm a big fat phony? The ridiculousness of it all!
I'm only human. You're not healthy if you don't live life. But whether you like it our not, there is constant comparison going on all.the.time. Forget the haters! Be YOU. You've got one life to live and you sure as hell shouldn't be living some one else's.
I thrive on balance. I'm not some one who can avoid all added sugar or gluten or caffeine for a month---I'm just not. I get cranky and weird. Sometimes I go out on the weekends and drink vodka sodas and eat pizza at 2am. Sometimes I wake up feeling hung over and lazy and too tired to work out. But I always, always, always find my way back to balance.
I don't try to be perfect because I don't want to be perfect. Perfect isn't real. Perfect is weird. So find the beauty in your imperfections. Life will be a lot tastier that way.
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For more Life Lessons posts, check out: --On Being Too Healthy --On Natural Body Care --On Counting Ingredients, Not Calories --On Beer & Kale --On Packing a Lunch ]]>
Brooke says
I hate to hear that people have been giving you a hard time. Since discovering your blog just about a year ago, I (along with all of my family and friends I've shared your blog with) have learned so much about high quality, nutritious, and most importantly, DELICIOUS food that has made me look and feel so much better. And I've always appreciated your transparency when it comes to maintaining a healthy balance - we're only human!
I agree with all the comments above - don't focus on the negative. What you're doing is great and so helpful for so many of us, keep up the awesome work!
Alexis says
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Brooke! I'm so glad you appreciate the sense of balance. It really is SO important to be transparent!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
Graters ice cream is the BEST. I've even had it shipped over to Cleveland (or at least my in laws did) so I know how good it really is.
I'm all about balance. For real, look at my IG feeds: it's a bowl of veggies, next to a brick of cheese, followed by a fitness class, then a bottle of booze, bad yolk porn, pasta and some fruit. Oh and toss a random cat picture in too because I'm really a feline is disguise. Cat Woman, I like to say.
Keep being you, keep doing you. Other people's judgments are worth your time or even energy.
P.S. Do people really associate Quest bars as being healthy. Geesh, I am so out of what the community deems as healthy. I think that's a good thing.
Alexis says
I love that you had Graeter's shipped to Cleve! I die for black raspberry chip. Horray for balance!! And yes, people sweat by Quest Bars. I think it's the athletic/weight-lifting community that loves them so much.
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
Love this post 🙂 So real and so true!
Alexis says
Thanks, Tara! So glad you liked it 🙂
Francesca says
You rock! Love this post...almost as much as I love french fries -xo-
Lauren says
THIS. ALL OF IT. It's EXACTLY HOW I FEEL.
I especially love all of this" I thrive on balance. I’m not some one who can avoid all added sugar or gluten or caffeine for a month—I’m just not. I get cranky and weird. Sometimes I go out on the weekends and drink vodka sodas and eat pizza at 2am. Sometimes I wake up feeling hung over and lazy and too tired to work out. But I always, always, always find my way back to balance.".
Coming from someone who just got back from a wedding weekend full of booze, mom's home cooking, 1 AM pizza, and more than one diet coke this makes me feel great. I'll eat healthy today, workout and get back on track. I felt bad for feeling tired and lazy on Saturday and not working out but life happens and working out 5 days a week instead of 6 is still damn good. Sometimes there is a bubble of healthy eaters or clean eaters and I forget that most of the world isn't like that. I'm not broken with no self-control because I can't do a whole 30 or restrict a food group or count calories-I'm human!
She Rocks Fitness says
Love this...you ROCK woman! XOXO
Alexis says
Thanks deary!!