There have been many times where I get a question or comment regarding a “clean” lifestyle….
- “I didn’t know _______ was clean.”
- “But I could never fully give up ___________!!”
- “How can you advocate a “clean” lifestyle and eat _______________?”
For the record, I’m not a health professional. I am just someone who is passionate about being healthy and happy. With that being said, let me give you my two cents.
I am in no way perfect — none of us are. If you spend your life trying to achieve perfection, you will run yourself down extremely quick. I used to be the “perfection” girl when it came to my clean eating lifestyle. Nothing processed touched my lips. No candy was consumed. Was it organic? No? I wasn’t eating it. To be honest with you, this completely sucked. I wasn’t happy, I felt deprived, and I was turning into a Judgy McJudgerson. Regardless of what others were eating, I found a way to judge what they were eating — was it organic? Didn’t they KNOW what they were putting into their body? Um, can I be the first one to say that no one likes that girl? Including me?
Over time, I’ve evolved to a wonderful balance. I eat whole, fresh foods. I buy organic or locally when possible. I shy away from artificial ingredients and preservatives. That’s what clean eating looks likes to me.
But does that mean when I want a box of Cinnamon Chex or a handful of M&M’s I’m going to tell myself no? Absolutely not! I know the majority of the time, I am honoring my body by feeding it quality ingredients. I also know I need to honor my body by giving it an “unclean” food from time to time. Psychological health is just as important to me as physical health — which means a balance must be met.
I’ll be the first to admit when I started this journey, I was an uptight PITA about “eating clean”. But no one likes a PITA, do they? I actually still get crap from family members if I am seen eating an “unhealthy” food. Apparently I let it be known a few years ago I would “never eat” __________. Never say never apparently.
Now, striving for more of a 90/10 balance is what I am for most days. I’m happier, healthier, and I’m sure the people who love me are happier to be around me. Even more importantly, if you are eating clean or just starting out, don’t get down on yourself if you happen to have a bad day. Get right back on the saddle, Cowboy. And eat some GD M&M’s if you need to.
Question: Have you ever felt like you needed to be perfect? When did you realize you couldn’t be?
{ 89 comments… read them below or add one }
Amen! Love this.
AMEN SISTA-FRIEND. It’s all about balance.
You summed up my feelings on this perfectly! A 90/10 balance is what I strive for
Love the PITA acronym and love this post!! It took a while for me to realise that being healthy doesn’t mean deprivation but I am so much more at peace mentally now! Oh and just for the record…I HATE the term “clean eating” mainly because I don’t like to think as the occasional chip/choc bar/whatever as dirty…everything is fine in moderation, right
!
haha my mom and I love that PITA acronym!
I know, “clean eating” is kind ofa love hate relationship word for me. There’s such a stigma around it, but I can’t really change my blog name - haha!
Love the balanced viewpoint! I’m working on adopting such balanced ideas and making progress.
Good luck Candice!
I love this post! I struggle a lot with trying to be perfect and in the end I need to realize no one is perfect and there is no sense driving myself crazy trying to achieve it! I do my best every day and that is just fine! Thanks for a great post!
I’m 100% with you! And I love that we are so similar - “Judgy McJudgerson” and “progress not perfection” (my fave mantra).
35 DAYS. That’s all!!!!
I totally agree with you! i was crazy! it was never any fun and i never really enjoyed food.. if anyone of my fam wanted to make dinner i’d never eat it because they mite of been puttin somethin i didnt no in it or using something so id always offer to help and it would come out no1 wantin to cook for me bc i was crazy lol now im on the same page as u i love where i am and i still get crap from time to time of the “oh ur makin popcorn wen theres 0 nutrition to it” well idc i like it and i think all the food i ate today will meet my nutrition needs just fine… ugh people!!! good for you for findin your balance!!
I’m glad you’ve found balance, Kaity!
Truer words have never been spoken.
I totally appreciate this post. I find myself getting caught up in the trap of trying to be completely perfect about my eating or being completely out of control. You are right…it takes a nice balance of “cleanliness” and of “pleasure.” Thank you for sharing.
As far as food is concerned, I strive for the 80/20 balance because life is too short not to eat ice cream and chocolate cake every now and then!
haha amen sister friend!
I loved this post, and could totally relate. There is so much pressure on all of us to be perfect in every aspect of our lives (work, school, relationships, health, etc.). The truth is it is better to be imperfect and perfect. I’d rather have flaws that make me stronger, than have nothing going for me because nothing is wrong with me. I embrace my flaws and allow them to be my next goal in my journey to make myself better (life, health, relationships, etc.). I think I first started to realize this at the beginning of the year when I started my own personal health kick. I wanted results right away, wanted to look like other fit women, but I knew that it would take time and I could only be the best version of me. After a month of doing P90X and saw that I hadn’t lost any weight or inches I was devastated. Instead of giving up, I pushed harder. I know I am not perfect and I am a work in progress, but I’m 10 steps ahead of where I was 8 months ago; Working out is fun, not a chore, and I have made better choices when it comes to eating, but never deprive myself of wanting something that isn’t healthy.
I’m glad you’ve figured out a balance for you Lindsay!
Fabulous post!! My perfectionism was the prime driving force behind my eating disorder for so long. I tried to let go of it, but then I just converted it to clean-eating during my recovery. Now, I’m definitely for the 90-10 balance, for my mental health (just as you said) — it makes me more clear and lets me be more relaxed with myself. I really liked the line “honouring my body” — that’s what it’s all about. Our bodies love clean-eating, but they also love the treats from time to time as well.
Great thoughts for the morning!
Thanks Chelsie!
I completely appreciate this post. I get snide comments sometimes because while I promote a healthy and clean=plant based diet, I’m not perfect and do eat candy and french fries occasionally. It’s all about doing the best you can while preserving your sanity. Obsessing and stressing about being perfect is no good for your health either!
I totally agree!
All I can say to this post is amen! I can relate to everything you are saying!
Very true post! ….Always striving to be the best you that you can be is all that anyone can every truly achieve. ….I always tell my kids at school, ‘There will never be a better you than YOU!’
I agree! That makes me think of the song “there could never be a more beautiful you!”
Great post! Have a wonderful day!
i love this post! when i first started my journey I felt like I had to be super strict about what i could and could not eat and also how much food i let my body consume. I feel so much better now after finding a good balance that works for me. I love to eat heathly,whole, unprocessed foods but like you I love me some m&m’s every once in a while..especially pretzel m&m’s..yum.
Thanks Chelcie! It sounds like you have a great balance worked out!!
After reading about your love for Cinnamon Chex, I had to buy some. They are so addicting!!!
Ugh, I know! I haven’t had any in a week. I think I need a box.
Great post Chelsey! And it came at a perfect time. Thanks
You’re welcome! I’m glad you could relate!
Based on the blog, you seem to have a great sense of balance and realistic attitude about food - I don’t think it’s PITA-ish at all.
Amen, sister!
“Judgy McJudgerson.” hehe.
I think that’s the hardest part about telling people you’re changing your eating habits. Ever since I’ve been (roughly) following the crazy sexy diet plan, people will say, “hold on! that’s not on your plan!” and I agree - it’s total nonsense to think that I’ll be a perfect eater! It’s soo much more fun to eat what my body needs, including some sweet stuff every now and then:)
I agree - it’s hard to let people in without them making it their own personal mission to remind you what you are doing wrong!
Amen! I couldn’t agree with you more!
I’m not surprised!
This was such a wonderful post; thank you SO much for sharing it!! I have been somewhat of a perfectionist my whole life-mentally berating myself when I made mistakes in ballet class, having a meltdown when I didn’t pass my driver’s license test the first time, stressing out if I didn’t get a perfect score on a test or exam. But over the last year or so I have realized that striving toward 100% perfection is a fruitless and damaging goal-one that has only caused me unhappiness and anxiety. Though I still try to work hard at everything I do, striving to do the best I can, I no longer feel that I have to be “perfect” in order to be successful, happy, or at peace with myself.
You and me both! My perfectionism started at a young age. I never wanted to do anything wrong!
Amen! I seem to have more of those “Get right back on the saddle, Cowboy” days than I’d like but it’s a process. I know that I need to let myself indulge in some not so clean eats every once in a while, but I find that if I keep those kinds of food in the house self control is COMPLETELY out of the window! Such a tough balance.
You’re completely right - it is a process,and it’s great that you realize that!!
I’m still on my own personal journey, but I know that I can never be perfect. I did have a roommate who was annoyed that I was okay with my imperfections. She was trying overly hard, and taking her frustrations about it out on me. Perfection does not make a happy person. Go with the flow and do what’s best for your body.
What does PITA stand for? Did I miss that?
Pain in the…
Pain in the @$$!!
I am still on that journey to not feel that I don’t have to be perfect.. one of the things I’ve done is stop weighing myself… I found this was making me so unhappy if I wasn’t at that “perfect” weight. Now I just try to listen to my body
This post has my name all over it! I think I tried to be perfect to the point of it be UNhealthy! And working my way towards more of a balance has made such a difference. I actually feel better, less stressed, and have more energy. I think there is a time and place to splurge-for mental health, and even some overall health. Way to be a good role model by finding a healthy balance.
I love when you say “psychological health is just as important to me as physical health”, that is so true! I try to eat a whole, plant-based diet but yes occasionally I’ll eat something packaged too. But the next day I go right back to eating clean.
DaNelle recently posted…Copycat PF Changs Lettuce Wraps Recipe
You STRIVING to eat clean most of the time is what matters. Great post and keep it up
Perfection isn’t ever perfection…balance is 
Great post Chelsey! And such awesome words of wisdom!
I was just working on a post like this too after some questions I got. Looks like we’re on the same wavelength;)
Yesss. This was very much me. I was so obsessed with eating 100% clean because I thought I was doing my body a world of good, when in reality I was more sick and miserable than I had ever been. And not to mention I made the people around me miserable as well by judging and commenting on whatever they were eating. It was a long and difficult process, but I abandoned the whole notion of clean eating, and just ate whatever made me feel happiest and healthiest. Sometimes that means a big salad, and sometimes that means a big bowl of ice cream. Balance is definitely key
AMEN, awesome post Chelsey, we are perfect as we are and need to have a balance, if we tip too far one way we most certainly will fall off
You said it, Chelsea! Sometimes there is a little TOO much emphasis on food in the “healthy living” blog world. There is such a thing as an obsession, and it’s all about balancing a lifestyle of healthy eating!
I cannot tell you enough how inspiring this post I found this post! I’ve fallen into a bit of a clean eats Nazi and I feel it has taken a toll on my social life and sanity. Yes, I feel great BUT it’s not “living” when you’re concerned with the intricacies of food, nutrition, good vs. bad fat, etc. Thanks for encouraging me to enjoy food and moderation, while stopping all the worrying/judgement.
TOTALLY love this!!!! I totally eat ice cream once in awhile & I had some fake syrup…life goes on!
It’s all about balance, baby.
I absolutely love this post. I have this problem and need to get over it. Depriving myself of little cheats actually makes it worse for me, as I am likely to go overboard anytime I do cheat ie last night. Not a pretty sight and its definitely emotionally draining. This post was exactly what I needed to read. Thank you. Its something we all need to read every once in a while!
Haha I’m guessing you get a LOT of annoying comments because of your blog title, but great post, life is NOT about being perfect. I used to be the same way and I was so unhappy!
I love this post! I feel the same way and yes, people are always quick to point out when anything non-clean touches your lips. Thanks for posting this!
Oh my gosh, I could not possibly stress enough how much I LOVE this post! I am all for clean eating, but there are times where people get so caught up in “eating clean” (which very clearly is code for “eating perfect 100% of the time”) and feel compelled to shove their beliefs on nonprocessed, organic, whole foods in my face, it drives me bonkers! There’s a difference between eating clean and being orthorexic, you know?
Such truth!
I’m not 100% perfect with my diet, nor will I ever be. When I was anorexic there was only a small list of acceptable foods, whereas everything else was off limits. This was not a good way to live! I’ve learned that eating some nutella or a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup once in a while is awesome, but I will feel like crap if I eat it all the time. As long as I’m eating at least 80% good, whole unprocessed food, a little bit of the extra is perfectly acceptable.
I totally know what you mean. I used to do fitness competitions and would be VERY strict. I still eat clean, but have treats etc. At family gatherings, I still get the “she won’t eat that” or shocked looks when I do eat something naughty!
Love this!! What a great reminder.
I recently became addicted to Cinnamon Chex and I am not sorry! Coconut milk chocolate ice cream is another new favorite…
“Psychological health is just as important to me as physical health” <- me too! And that's exactly why I stopped trying to perfect about eating clean all the time. Now if I want a Snickers, I'm going to eat a freaking Snickers!
LOVE this post. I’m just beginning this journey and this is just what I needed to hear!!
I love how honest you are. Thank you!
In my workplace and in my family, I am looked at as the “healthy” one. So when someone whips out chocolate cake or an ice cream sandwich, they expect me to pass. And when I gladly dig in, they are SHOCKED. I used to let it bug me but now I just say, “Hey - I work hard, so I give myself room to eat what I want. ”
Glad you are on that wagon, too!
Love this post, Chelsey, and I can completely relate! I still find myself with that judgy all-or-nothing attitude sometimes. I really got sucked into that trap a while ago but I’ve “let loose” a little more lately and, like you, focus on a 90/10 (or some weeks 80/20) diet….We’re always learning and improving!
Lol, Been here! Glad I’m not alone. I get held to such a higher standard/i.e. get teased if I am not eating granola and drinking spring water, haha. It’s all my own doing, I suppose. But truly, I’m with you. Last night I was watching a show with a scene in a candy shop and then just HAD to have Gummy Bears (whatever is in them, I don’t want to know!) You’re spot on about psychological health being equally important in the process of a balanced life. I’m happily back to my raw kale salad and summer squash for dinner tonight. Anything that feels FORCED, instead of a choice, is never fun. @kaity… popcorn has more nutrition than you know, look into it
Thanks for being real, Chelsea! p.s. what is a “PITA”?
Could.Not.Agree.More. I realized pretty quickly on my clean eating journey that 100% wasn’t really attainable for me. I had already decided I like soy milk too much (although I’m learning to like almond milk I’ll never make my own). I’m living in the 85/15 zone most days, some more and some less. The overall focus is on health, not obsession. And if it makes you feel any better, I had Cheerios for dinner.
Great post! It is all about balance! I see too many people bashing others online. It is really sad. No one is perfect nor should you strive to be. Healthy and happy is all that matters.
Amen to all of this! I used to be so strict about what I would let myself eat and it made me into an uptight no-fun person! My definition of “healthy” used to be eating healthy foods 100% of the time, but now my definition of “healthy” is having a balance. And I feel so much more physically and mentally better when I live by this new definition. Greens are good for our bodies, but cake is good for our soul, right?
Chelsey, I love this post!
I need to be perfect in everything I do, and I’m slowly learning to let it go. I eat so well most of the time, and I get really down on myself when I eat anything ‘naughty’. Stuff it. I just ate some ice cream with breakfast. It’s not something I do generally, but man it felt good!
I’m a halfway perfectionist. I agree with you about balance. It’s funny though how people can put you in some sort of judgmental/authoritative position when you eat healthy. haha
I love this post!! Sometimes when I’m with friends that know I eat healthy, and I splurge a bit I feel like they may be judging me. I just need to get over it. No one is perfect….and that’s okay!!
You summed up “clean eating” perfectly here. I like having a healthy balance without depriving myself of anything.
Chelsey you hit it right on the head! There has to be room for slip ups, treats, cheats or whatever you want to call them. As long as you use the 90/10 rule as you explained it should all be good!
P.S. I am a recent follower of the healthy living blog world and I LOVE YOUR SITE! Thanks for sharing your world..
This post is just what I needed! Thanks!
I found myself nodding along to this whole post! All so true. I try to eat organic, whole foods as much as possible but I am not going to deny a treat if it comes along in a social setting. You gotta enjoy life too! It’s all about the balance.
I totally agree! I feel that people judge me when I’m eating something you “shouldn’t be” as soon as they know I’m trying to eat healthier, or watch what I eat. It’s terrible!
I used to be the exact same way, but now I also try to incorporate more balance in my eating. I just got back from vacation, and while I brought some healthy snacks, I didn’t beat myself up about eating some non-clean meals. I really love this post…it’s a great reminder that we don’t need to be so strict with ourselves until the point where it’s mentally unhealthy, and that we will be okay if we have a damn M&M once in a while since we normally fuel our bodies with healthy, whole foods!
Agreed 100%!! A “clean-eating” title is whatever it means to you and no one else, so no one should judge what you put in your mouth (ha TWSS). It’s all about balance and giving your body what it wants.
Just saw this post linked from Tina’s blog and I can really relate - especially the end about being judged by family members. I’ve been through a similar process to you, where I’ve gone from being incredibly strict about what I ate, to relaxing into a much more comfortable level of balance. But like you, I now get comments from people when I eat something which I wouldn’t have chosen before and then I feel like I have to make excuses for myself. It makes me feel guilty and causes me to demonise certain foods, which is never healthy. I definitely believe that it’s an evolving process, and I’m still learning about it all the time.
this post was perfect. short. sweet. and I think every HLB needs to read it! LOVE YOU CHELS!
I’ve been a little perfectionist ever since I was a little girl. I sometimes struggle with it, as I always want to be “perfect,” but I’ve learned that NOT being perfect is okay. I don’t have to be perfect to be happy. I can be happy being imperfect. I can strive to eat healthfully most of the time. Balance in all things.
Great post!I can tell we have a lot in common
I 100% agree and feel the exact same way. My mantra is that health and fitness, including nutrition, are a lifestyle. Nothing is forbidden or off limits. You said it beautifully - it’s like a 90/10 balance.
I have felt that way - a lot of that pressure comes from ideals I place on myself and hold myself to too rigidly. Sometimes I’m afraid to Instagram my dinner if I’m eating french fries or not share that I’m drinking wine because I wonder if those who read my blog will think I’m a “hypocrite”. Lately I’ve been more open on my blog about my struggles with food guilt and being OK with being less perfect, so I think that those who read my blog regularly will understand that wine with dinner as actually an accomplishment for me!
AMEN. Love this post! <3
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