Fire. Fire in me belly. Aaaghhh…FIRE.
OK. Whatever. Keeping the main thing the main thing: I’m eating a more balanced diet. I’ve been doing a super job with my efforts to keep a nutritiously balanced breakfast, and it’s even trickling out to the rest of my day (well, lunch at least. Still have that evening mindless eating to get a handle on…and that’s another conversation to be had). My lunches have generally been better, as have my snacks. So I’ll throw out a little analogy that I like.
Your metabolism is the “fire” within you. It’s the system that’s in charge of utilizing the fuel you ingest to “heat” you the most efficiently as you go through the day, perform your life and sports and mundane stuff, too. You need the perfect fire to last the day. Ask a dozen people how to build the perfect fire, and a dozen answers you’ll receive. But the basics are still this:
Twigs. Carbohydrates.
You start with the twigs. They ignite quickly, but don’t last very long. Sometimes we want the fire to ignite more quickly…we add paper…and that flame burns out even faster! These are like your carbohydrates. If they are in your system, you’ll use them, and you’ll use them quickly. You need them…your brain loves them for fuel!
Kindling. Protein.
Then you add some protein. Lots of choices here…animal and plant. Like kindling, we don’t access the proteins right away, so you still need the carbs to get the party started. Once burning, however, they will last a little longer.
Logs. Fats.
And then we’ve got to add some logs. They can not be lit with a match. They need the twigs to burn out, the kindling to be accessed, and then they light. But when they burn, they are there for the long haul. All day, all night if you play your cards right. Like fats, we don’t need a lot of them to get the job done.
Pretty basic, I know, but it’s easy. Little children can learn this. If you want to make your snack-grabbing easier look at your food in this light. Some carbs to get you going, some protein to sustain a little longer, and a little fat to keep the sustained fuel in your system. Simple nutrition for simple times.
8/40 I will pay attention to the BASICS of my nutrition the rest of my day. No mindless eating. No filler foods. The basics, and I will build from there.
Want to complicate it? We’ll do that later. Dry wood works better than wet. Should you add an accelerant? More twigs or more paper? And it MAY matter in which order you stack the stuff.
Ask a dozen people how to build the perfect fire, and a dozen answers you’ll receive. Once you get the proper tools you can play with the placement and amount and type and color and…
Ug. Me need fire.
breakfasts are going…deliciously! Couple days of busy work, so exercise rest. Back to doing yoga with a focus on stabilizing my weakest muscles and balancing. Breathing work done in conjunction with that. Scapular push ups for shoulder strength and stability. More aware of the environment as it’s getting cooler. Great (chilly to start!!) ride in the hills today…thought of “fire” since I could smell them!! Beautiful fire wood for sale…
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About Lisa Jamison
Welcome! I'm Lisa, and I specialize in Integrated Somatic Therapies. I'm a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, Coach/Trainer, Body Worker, Yoga Therapist, Breathwork facilitator, educator, and all around great gal (not necessarily in that order!). I thrive on watching people move, both in sport/activity as well as how one maneuvers the world. Professionally I can help you do that with more grace, ease, and efficiency...AND help you determine those pesky limitations, often from adverse experiences/trauma. It's about eliminating the stresses on your body and teaching you a new way. Physically. Cognitively. Emotionally. Body, mind, and spirit.
Fire. Fire in me belly. Aaaghhh…FIRE. 
Mobile Balance 
Love your analogy and the fun way you put it out there! This is one I will repeat — with credit to the source, of course.