Eat Clean... All The Time?

It's a good concept, isn't it?

I would say it is. I mean, it promotes eating whole, healthy, nutritious foods that are good for your body. It promotes a healthy attitude towards life and even working out. But sometimes I feel I can take it a little too far.

I never really recognized this at first. I am 'bulking' or simply just trying to put more mass on this body of mine. I want the muscle so bad so that one day I can achieve my dreams of stepping across numerous stages in figure competitions and be a fitness role model. I mentioned before that I am doing it the 'clean' way, eating more healthy foods to put on the weight rather than stuffing my face with Ho-Hos and Twinkies.

Well now, I'm not giving my eating habits a label. 

...true. (Source)

I feel like the concept of eating clean is amazing. It sends a good message. But for some of us (not ALL), I think we tend to take it too far. We become so enamored in this whole process of "eating clean" that when we do in fact attack a Ho-Ho or Twinkie, it's as if we have committed a crime. Oh how dare we eat something so NOT clean?!

This is NOT what the whole concept of eating clean entails, and I know that. It's not MEANT for us to become obsessive. It's meant for us to use it as affirmation that we are fueling our bodies correctly for the rest of our lives. 

I've learned so much from some awesome bloggers, Sable and Tara. These ladies are so knowledgable about their areas of study in the fitness world, and I can't help but admire that. Sable has mentioned on her Facebook group page that after two years of bulking, she didn't have as much muscle as she thought, hence why bulking can be so necessary. Tara posted a post that shows some of her weekly cheats, and YES that is plural, because she has more than one. Also, I admire Naomi for reminding her clients that one shouldn't ask "Is so and so bad to eat?" because nothing is 'BAD' to eat. Just eat it if the craving is that bad and MOVE ON!

I LOVE how these ladies just roll with reality. The reality is, you don't have to eat clean all.the.time like so many people seem to think. Okay, so you want a treat, you've been exercising all week and have stuck do your diet, and now your friends want you to go out with them for a pizza. Do you say no and freak out because pizza is not 'clean'?

I love Giordano's deep dish pizza. I get sick every time I eat it, but it's so worth it. :) (Source)

I used to only have one 'cheat meal' during the week. But in the past few weeks I have changed my habits as I think the 'eating clean' had made me too obsessive. Now, I eat eat carbs at night (OMG no way!) and I will have little treats in the middle of the week and up to three 'cheat meals' during the week. I don't like that term. Let's just call them meals, because quite frankly, whether it is a cupcake or a carrot, both are food, so I am not going to overanalyze it by being all "Well carrots are clean and cupcakes aren't..."

And by doing this, you would've NEVER guessed... I've become more fuller, I can see more muscle definition (shocker!!!!) and I can see myself getting bigger (in a GOOD way). So, ladies (and gents), if you're trying to put on some mass stop telling yourself that you can only doing it by eating clean. It's really hard to gain mass when you're eating a bunch of vegetables, because let's face it, veggies are so low-calorie that they won't get you to where you want (or need to, in my case) to be. I'm not saying cut veggies out completely. I eat veggies everyday! But take a step back and realize you need the proper CARBS and FATS to attain the muscle. Just do it. It's easier said than done, I completely understand. But if you don't make an effort, you will stay the exact same way. Do you WANT to change? Do you WANT to see the muscle? Then suck it up and EAT, and eat more than just protein and vegetables, I beg of you.

I admire those who can eat clean and still enjoy their treats. If you're 100% dedicated to eating clean but are not obsessed, then that is completely and utterly fine. More power to you! But for those that take it a step ahead, you simply don't need to 'eat clean' for every food that touches your lips. For the most part, sure. A majority of the meals I consume ARE healthy. But I am not going to beat myself up for eating a greasy, fatty burger every now and then as I am simply taking advantage of the moment and enjoying myself. And I'm not going to convince myself that I "need this cheat meal" because it "revs up my metabolism." Sure that may be true, but for the most part I think this is just an attempt to justify why one is not eating a 'clean' meal. No. Just be realistic and say "I'm eating this because I'm hungry." Why justify it? :)

I am fully admitting that I became too obsessive. And I don't want to have a bad relationship with food, so I stopped preaching eating clean. I think it's best for me and I am preventing myself from going down a dark path.

Questions: Do you find that your eating habits are obsessively controlled by the concept of 'eating clean'? Do you agree or disagree with me? Share your thoughts, good or bad! I don't moderate comments so if you truly disagree, shoot me a line!

***DISCLAIMER: I am NOT suggesting that people eat whatever they want in whatever amounts. I am simply saying that eating something not 'clean' every now and then will not make the world implode. Thank you.***

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