What To Eat Before Your Boudoir Shoot?
Recently, I was asked by a lovely client, “Gabby – what do I eat before my boudoir shoot?!”
I paused, and immediately realized – I’ve got to get this on the blog!
I do not claim to be a dietician or nutritionist, but I do have a pretty amazing suggestion for a pre-photoshoot diet (if I do say so myself!)
Some may be surprised, others may not. I think it’s pretty revolutionary.
The Pre-Photoshoot Diet
You really don’t have to dig for long to come across the saturated & obsessed world of dietary advice, meal plans, and “quick fixes.” Our world is OBSESSED with diet culture/thinness. It’s pretty crazy & overwhelming.
Diet culture is usually focused on hitting a target number or a certain size, without considering what your body actually desires & requires. (This isn’t Brandy Melville with their one-size-fits-all approach!)
Ahead of your boudoir shoot – and honestly in everyday life – instead of adhering to rigid rules dictated by obsessive diet culture, I suggest embracing an intuitive approach.
This approach requires some self-reflection, as you tune inward to really listen to your body and its unique needs. Our bodies are wise & smart, and truly letting them take the lead by telling us what we need, can do wonders for your health, holistically supporting overall well-being and a more balanced lifestyle.
Opposite to diet culture, there are no hard & fast rules, just the ones you write, according to what works & feels good for your body!
Holistic Nourishment
Nourishment & nutrition go beyond the food on your plate.
“You are what you eat” is a popular adage for a reason – food impacts how you feel physically and mentally! According to plenty of research, certain foods (whole grains, unprocessed, etc.) make your body & brain feel strong, capable, and powerful.
Oppositely, excessive sugar and overly processed foods can cause inflammation throughout the body and brain, impacting our overall mood and making us feel a bit down in the dumps.
Munching Intuitively
The first step to intuitive eating is becoming aware of your body’s signals. When you eat something, anything, take the time to notice which foods leave you feeling energized, content, and satisfied and which ones might cause discomfort such as tummy aches, headaches, or bloating. These unpleasant sensations are your body’s way of communicating that something isn’t quite right!
Intuitive eating takes time, as you create a positive relationship with food through truly respecting & honoring your hunger & fullness cues, while also recognizing & addressing any emotional eating, to break free from diet culture.
A common misconception about intuitive eating is that it means people will just honor their cravings and eat ice cream all day. FALSE! It’s about developing a holistic understanding that all foods can fit into a balanced diet, while always listening for cues about how your body responds to different foods.
If you’re craving ice cream – dig in! Have some! Savor every bite mindfully and satisfy those cravings. This way, you prevent feelings of deprivation that can lead to less positive behaviors.
Cravings are not the enemy. Poor things get a bad rap, but the reality is they are often the body’s way of telling you it needs something/specific nutrients! Instead of suppressing these cravings, explore them mindfully.
How To Prepare For Your Boudoir Shoot
I’m assuming you’ve guessed it – I am not going to suggest what meal to eat or how to eat before your boudoir shoot. Why? Because you know your body best, and you know what is going to make you feel prepared, satisfied, and ready! I trust you, and you should 100% trust yourself, too.
If you are looking for a photographer who is going to suggest how to lose 10 pounds before your shoot or how certain drinks can make you look tiny in two days – you’ve come to the wrong studio. Sadly, we aren’t a match!
I’m of the belief system that everyone is a MASTERPIECE.
A perfect mosaic of imperfections, quirks, glory, power, and more that makes you – you. You do not need to change a SINGLE thing about yourself to be a shining star in your shoot. You are sexy enough, playful enough, sweet enough, cool enough, and absolutely powerful enough today, as you are, to get in front of the camera and blow us all away!
Saying that here are some general lifestyle tips that can support you to feel & look your best every day!
- Joyful movement
If you don’t like something, you’re not going to do it. It really is that simple! Discover different forms of movement until you find ways to move your body that you love doing. Everyone is different. Many women love lifting weights as it’s incredibly empowering, while others can’t stand the gym and would rather swim laps. AMAZING. This is YOUR life and you get to choose how to spend your time and energy! Whether it’s walking, karate, dancing, hiking, skiing, or gardening, joyful movement supports digestion, boosts mood, and enhances energy levels. What’s your favorite movement method!?
- Quality ZZZ’s
If you are not getting 7-10 hours a night, it’s incredibly important to prioritize getting enough sleep each night. Good sleep hygiene demands you keep a consistent sleep schedule by trying to go to sleep and wake up at the same time, fostering a restful and peaceful environment, and swapping screen time for literally anything else (books, meditation, journaling, talking, etc) before bed.
- Stress Management
Unfortunately, there is no escaping some form of stress in this life. Whether from an external or internal source, stress snakes its way in, one way or another. Stress is incredibly dangerous, and contributes directly to sudden and early death.
Scary? I know. Use that fear to add in stress management practices like regular yoga, meditation, therapy, time in nature, community building, breathing exercises – or whatever you find helps you some peace!
- Drink Water
Striving for at least 8 glasses of water a day supports hydration, which maintains energy levels, supports digestion, and improves skin health.
- Don’t skip out on herbal teas
Herbal teas are hydrating and have additional health benefits – for example, chamomile can help with relaxation, peppermint can aid digestion, and ginger can reduce inflammation! Pinkies up!
- Listen & respect your body
Being intuitive extends beyond paying attention to your body’s signals of hunger, & thirst but also fatigue, anxiety, and stress.
Increase your self-compassion by responding to your body’s needs – we are not machines. Responding appropriately will invite more balance into your life, and increase well-being.
These 6 tips are really just scratching the surface. There are many tips about increasing personal growth and well-being which you can explore further in the following blogs:
- 8 Things To Try On Your Personal Growth Journey
- Love Your Food, And Yourself With Mindful Eating
- 14 Free Ways To Invest In Yourself
- The Connection Between Mindfulness and Self-Expression in Boudoir Photography
- How to Address Insecurities & Self-Doubt During Your Boudoir Shoot
- Diet Culture 101
Harmoniously Balanced
I want to repeat this, as I believe women do not hear it enough: your body is wise & smart.
You have permission to live for you – and you have complete control over how you spend your free time & what you consume. Let your body take the lead. Let your body tell you what it needs – and watch the TRUE transformation happen as you holistically support your overall well-being towards a more balanced lifestyle.
Do you have any questions? Comment below!
Get out of your head and into you body with a boudoir shoot!
