So, you might be thinking, how exactly does a movement based on getting rid of excess in my household relate to weight loss? It really does, trust me!
When I did a Whole30 for the first time a couple years ago, the one thing that stuck with me the most was during the reintroduction period. The idea that you don’t
have to be perfect. You just need to make a conscience decision while eating if the “splurge” is worth it and then eat food that is good for your body the rest of the time.
It is very similar to the idea in minimalism. You don’t have to get rid of everything and have the least number of items possible. It is about keeping what is useful and you use daily (your daily clean eating) and then also keeping a couple items that bring you joy or are attached to very special memories (your splurges). You want to keep what helps you on your life path and not let the excess weigh you down. Sometimes you will have a difficult decision if the huge teddy bear your kids loved as a child, but takes up half the corner of your new yoga room, worth it.
You must weigh the positives with the negatives. Is that item helping or hurting you on your path to be the best minimal you?
You know that you can’t eat processed foods or foods you know your body doesn’t react well to all the time, the same way you can’t keep every item that has ever had any meaning to you. Neither of these will help you on your path to healing both your body and mind. You will be back to marching in place again, saying you want change, but with more things in your house than you need and a bulging waistband again.
You should look at the food you are craving or are faced with at a party/baseball game/office snacks and make a conscience decision if it is worth it. Is the tiredness, the bloating, and the guilt that come with eating it really worth it. Some things are going to be a resounding yes! I can usually say no to sweets without a thought, but I’m going to have In ‘N Out every once and a while, because it is SO worth it to me. For you, it might be a cookie or popsicle or grilled cheese sandwich. And when you do decide to say “yes, it is worth it,” give yourself permission to eat it without guilt.
We are working on redesigning our lives forever, not just tidying up because guests are coming over or dropping weight as quickly as possible for a wedding you’re in.
The thing to remember is clean eating is a personal forever habit, NOT a diet, just like a minimalist lifestyle is not just an organization project. Take those first steps to moving forward on your path to a healthier and minimal you!
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