Today was an active recovery day filled with garden prep, splitting and stacking wood and learning more about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids plus a live session - my favorite part of the program. Despite waking up with a tender foot and feeling generally swollen throughout my whole body —likely a minor histamine reaction—thankfully all of those symptoms subsided by the end of the day.
Managing Discomfort and Maintaining Routine
The discomfort in my foot didn't deter me from all of my daily activities. I took extra care moving my plants in and out of the greenhouse to protect them from the still-cool nights, as frost remains a possibility this early in April. I skipped going for the longer walk on the trails by the lake today with the dog, taking her instead throughout the neighbourhood on the sidewalks to keep on more level ground.
Yard Work and Exercise as Recovery
Aside from tending to the garden and splitting kindling and stacking some wood, I spent some time on the recumbent bike, which allowed me to continue reading the "Intuitive Eating" book. The physical activities today served as my form of active recovery, helping to keep my body engaged and giving me the satisfied feeling that comes with different types of activities. Before this program, I didn't really think about how I felt after doing things around the house and yard, but now I am appreciating that I am able to do these things and feel energized even afterwards which is NEAT (pun intended) aka non-exercise activity thermogenesis.
Deep Dive into Omega-3 Fats
Today's nutritional lesson focused on omega-3 fatty acids, highlighting their importance in our diet. Omega-3s are found in certain nuts and seeds like flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, as well as in marine life such as fish and algae. I have an allergy to nuts, so appreciate all of the different sources of these healthy fats. Omega-3 fats help with keeping our hearts and brains healthy, reducing inflammation, and supporting cellular communication.
Unique Properties and Health Benefits
Omega-3s have the unique ability to remain liquid at low temperatures, acting like natural antifreeze for cold-water marine life, which is a fascinating aspect of these fats that I had no idea about before today. They contribute to various bodily functions from joint mobility to muscle building and even mental health, impacting everything from mood regulation to cognitive function.
Practical Advice on Omega-3 Consumption
The lesson provided practical tips for incorporating more omega-3s into our diets, such as consuming more fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, or herring. For those who don’t regularly eat fatty fish, the lesson suggested considering omega-3 supplementation as a viable alternative to ensure adequate intake of these critical nutrients. This was the first time that they have mentioned any specific supplement in this program unless you count protein or green powders as supplements - although that was for the Level 2 of the lesson.
Live Session
Today, we had a live session that covered not just the current habit of Healthy Fats but revisited all the habits we've been working on. I truly value these sessions; the coaches' dedication to providing these interactive opportunities is incredibly helpful. The timing of these sessions is particularly effective—they're not rigidly scheduled for a specific day or time, which brings a dynamic mix of participants each time. This variability allows for diverse attendance and the chance to hear a variety of perspectives, enriching the learning experience and ensuring the discussions always feel timely and relevant.
One of the things that was brought up by another person in our group during the live session was losing girth without much progress on the scale. I'm so glad that they mentioned it as I was thinking about this today. My pants have become loose and I had to order a smaller size but the scale is slower to move lower vs what I had thought it would be. The coach talked about how that is normal and keep an eye on it, but also recommended that if it continues to try an emotional food journal to see where the energy I'm intaking is coming from to start and then go from there and talked about overall energy output including NEAT activities. I have never done an emotional food journal, something to think about.
Contemplating a Deeper Dive: Level 1 Learning and the Possibility of a Second Year of Precision Nutrition
As a Level 1 participant in the program, I appreciate how the structure reduces pressure and simplifies the learning process. Seeing the distinctions between Level 1 and Level 2 goals in the lesson today does make me curious about the deeper layers of nutrition and wellness. Whenever I see a lesson broken into level one and two, it once again leads me to consider whether extending my journey with a second year in the program could further enhance my understanding and skills, allowing me to explore Level 2 goals more fully and continue my growth in a supportive environment.
Not Every Lesson or Every Week
The occasional mention of Level 1 and Level 2 in the lessons draws attention to the structured progression within the program. While most lessons cater universally without such distinctions, those that do differentiate between the levels prompt me to consider the depth and pace of my learning journey. These moments serve as useful reminders to assess my comfort with the current material and whether I am ready to challenge myself further, helping me stay mindful about my growth and the potential for advancing when the time is right.
Right now, I feel that my progress in the program is on track and quite satisfying. As I think about the decision about possibly extending my journey for a second year, I plan to continue focusing on my current goals and learning. I'll make a final decision closer to the end of this year, allowing myself time to fully assess my needs and the benefits of doing a second year of Precision Nutrition but with the knowledge of the first one completed and aiming for a Level 2, if needed.
Reflections on Nutritional Guidance
The distinction between Level 1 and Level 2 eaters in the lesson was particularly insightful, offering tailored advice depending on one's familiarity and comfort with nutritional adjustments. This personalized approach helps make the dietary guidance more applicable and manageable, regardless of one’s starting point.
Overall, today was not just about recovering physically but also enriching my understanding of essential nutrients that support long-term health and well-being. As I continue to integrate these lessons into my life, each step forward in my dietary education is as crucial as the physical exercises that keep me moving.
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