MY STRUGGLES WITH EATING HABITS | OT vlogs

So I had been asked a few times to do a 'What do I eat in a day' and I had been put off for a few reasons which I explain in the video. My relationship with food hasn't always been the easiest.
I really tried to explain myself clearly but feel like I still have loads to say on this subject. From struggling with body image to being a recovering perfectionist. But anyway, its a start!
Would love to hear your feedback on this topic and if you enjoyed it!
We also jumped the ponies which was great fun so that in the video too!
ENJOY AND REMEMBER ... YOU GOT THIS
www.oliviatowersdressage.com

[@hevshorsestuff]

This was such a great video!! it didn't seem doom and gloom to me throughout at all, it just felt like you wanted to be as candid and easy to understand as possible :-) thanks so much for making this video, I find it really hard to maintain a good balance of what im eating, especially when im on the yard so much, I sometimes find it easier to skip a meal so that I can get ahead on work.. then by the time im done with the day, im so exhausted from not eating that I miss dinner as well because I go straight to sleep. it always feels like such a hard cycle to break, but i'm ultimately making harder it for myself by (similarly to you) telling myself that it's simply the way it is. thanks for the wake up call!! ps, Tony Hawk's Underground was the cause of several intense arguments between me and my brother. so many hours were spent with that game hahahah

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

heatherharvey aww bless you! Thanks so much! It is hard but I am glad you enjoyed listening to it! Also... the comment about Tony hawk is literally exactly what me and my bro went through 😂 sibling issues! Xx

[@PoniesOnWheels]

The disorder you are talking about is called Orthorexia which is where you restrict to only eating healthy foods and are scared of not safe foods etc. It’s very common with social media as everyone always shares their healthy meals and never their slip ups so many people obsess over only eating healthy. As someone who has struggled so much with eating habits (I’d restrict then binge and repeat the cycle viciously), until I just started to listen to my body and eat when I was hungry. There is a KZbin channel called Sarah’s Day which is all about being intuitive with your own body which I absolutely love. I loved this video and body image/diet is something that is largely mis-understood in the equestrian world that needs to be talked about more 💜

[@brionyrose6849]

Heyooo I friggin LOVE your openness and honesty. One thing I have learnt with food that has changed my mindset completely is that just because something is good for one person, doesn't mean it would be good for you. We are all unique beings. Like one person might feel awesome and get a massive boost from eating coconut whereas coconuts might bring down another individuals immune system. I only learnt this because I saw a Kenisiologist (I think that's how you spell it) but I've found it sooo life changing knowing what my body loves and what it doesn't. 💜💜💜

[@mollybrooke]

I'm so there. I totally understand getting the happiness you aren't getting from your day, from food. I'm always trying to do better and often not succeeding. I also often eat one bad thing and then throw all the good work I've done out the window.

[@sophiacomins6607]

Can’t tell you the amount of relief I feel watching this video and knowing I am not alone on my body and mindful eating journey! Thank you thank you for this video

[@snickercappydo]

I’m twice your age and I have struggled with food and my weight my whole life. Honestly it gets exhausting. I’m currently trying to get fitter and eat healthier but I do cave and eat bad food. I have such a sweet tooth! I’ve decided to try and change my mindset around it and not give up just because I ate a bowl of ice cream. This vlog is extremely timely for me. I ate that bowl of ice cream last night! Love your openness.

[@christinaabrahams8362]

Great vid Olivia , I've taken so much of this on board . I suffer with OCD and I understand the struggle of making things perfect and right and if it doesn't go as planned it's the most horrible feeling ever , sending you hugs hun xxx

[@dorothybennett6596]

You look fantastic all the work you do with the horses and exercise you should not be worried about what you eat. We all have our weaknesses now and then. One thing I think important is GUILT its useless it doesn't make things different and the time that is used on beating yourself up is wasted time you could use on positive things . Keep doing what you're doing 👏👏👏

[@charlottefeast3757]

I love this vlog! What a great topic to talk about this is so real for me. Have been struggling for the last 8 years. Hearing you speak about is helpful as it’s made me do some self reflection.

[@bonnieschroeder9605]

Love this vlog. You are such an inspiration to all who watch you and so so important for the younger girls especially. I am a mom of 4 girls and have ridden for most of my life. I have always struggled with body image and food and still do at 53 ( yes I’m ancient lol) . Somehow my girls (28,26,23 and 12 ) for the most part all have healthy mindsets (1 does struggle a bit) and growing up they never knew my inner struggle. I always exercised and we always ate healthy but I never put a “bad” label on the fun yummy foods with them and we just made sure we ate what we liked but balanced meals. So many people now due in part to social media have such crazy influences and not enough of the real ,honest role models to follow. I look back now at pictures and videos of myself riding and think “ wow I was in really good shape back then “ even tho at that time I never felt that I was. I am now more open to my girls about my struggles back then and even now with body image and I wish I had had positive role models like you back then! Thank you for all the hard work you put into your vlogs and I love love love all your sweet horses!

[@chloebaxter6804]

I absolutely loved this vlog! It's such a great topic to keep an open conversation going about, because I think majority of people in this day and age all struggle with food/weight/body image. I love the style of this. Also, I ADORE watching dressage ponies jump, they're so cute and sweet!

[@paigeandfj9359]

I absolutely loved this video! Probably just because I'm super nosey so loved seeing you do all the yard stuff and food😂 I'd love you to do a house tour, your family home looks so nice! I love the look of the house, that would be a very good video 👋🏼xx

[@ECBeventing]

I am completely the same - using food as a reward and I have a super unhealthy relationship with food sometimes! It's great to see someone openly talk about this

[@jarleyy]

i love love loved this vlog & topic💗thank you for sharing!

[@sophiabaranowski1026]

You are such an inspiration! Your videos make my day!!

[@nieve3898]

I love this video, Olivia your so inspirational I love you so much❤️❤️❤️

[@miasandstrom5879]

I always thought that it was just me and who I am always eating and never believing I was fit enough to ride but honestly Olivia u are the best KZbinr out there !!!!!

[@taradougherty1462]

I love your vlogs, especially this one. You have inspired me to change my habits as well.

[@GallopingGuitarist]

I have fully loaded porridge for breakfast (porridge made with milk, vanilla,a dash of salt, some butter, a spoon of natural pb, ground flax and some honey), lunch is more snacky, kinda anything around the house and supper is then a home cooked meal of some sort. I work full time as a front store manager in a small town pharmacy and try to get out and ride on weekends (my horses are an hour away currently). I tend to fall off the wagon about exercising. Living in town right now and I really don't like exercising where people can see me. Thank you for your inspiration and for letting us see a glimpse into your life.

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

GallopingGuitarist that breakfast sounds so so yummy I am Gonna try it! Life is like riding the wave. Sometimes we are on it sometimes not so much but it’s all good xx

[@donnajeffery3136]

I to am struggling with my weight so much so that the only way I can loose enough weight because I also tried everything but now have the only one thing that will help not going in to anything to personal that will help but dietitian tell me what I do eat do not say you cannot have this and you can only have this they say you are allowed everything just in moderation and not to look at it as a diet just as a healthy life style change which is a lot healthier way to look at things but it is good to see you are keeping it real because what person in reality does not struggle thank you

[@leahworth8477]

Your legs are pure muscle i feel like some people get confused between fat and muscle. I just have a nice layer of fat to protect my muscle ;)

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Leah Worth haha thank you 😂

[@reganlay1317]

Great video! Definitely helped with realistic ideas on diets x

[@trotontoffee6391]

Your story is so inspiring and motivational. It is good that you realised that the diets wasn't doing you any good apart from looking better. Hope you find a good new diet. I have just started following you on Snapchat and you replied to one of my messages and I would just to love to say thank you sososos much and good luck for the future. Hope wifly gets better soon 😘❤ xxx

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Trot On Toffee ♥️♥️ thanks for the support lovely! Have a great weekend

[@trotontoffee6391]

Olivia Towers Dressage your welcome hope you have a great weekend to!❤️😊

[@superjill]

I can totally relate to your struggles. I go through the same things. I usually ride a few days during the week in the evening so, i don't get home until 9pm so if I am in a rush from work and don't have time to eat something prior to heading to the barn, I am eating super late (usually not good choices) or not at all. I still don't know how you fit soooo much into one day!!!

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Jill Superjill haha I don’t feel like I got enough Into a day 😂 but that’s my driven side talking. It can be hard with horses to balance stuff tho. Keep going sounds like your doing a fab job! I’ll be here to support you 😊♥️

[@flingaflake]

I loved this blog and your honesty on your former diets and eating habits. Way better and dare I say authentic than the normal fancy "What I eat in a day" that will make you buy cook books (and yes I did that) and what not. What helps me with eating more healthy is meal planing and batch cooking. Making sure you have healthy basics in the house and tried and tested receipts you like make a huge difference.

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

NordicClouds I always seem to do things a little bit different to most hha! Thanks so much for your support ♥️

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

NordicClouds that is great advice! I need to prep more! X

[@brookchilvers4177]

I don’t have a nutribullet so I microwave the banana for about 50 seconds on high, then it mashes easily, so it’s not lumpy 😀

[@sarahwales6276]

That's a great way to destroy any nutritional value the banana had. Microwaves change the molecular structure of food resulting in your body not recognizing it as food but just something to pass through your system.

[@rebeccanorton4073]

love the faces your mum pulls when you tell her off about the knife

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Rebecca Norton she’s a little gem hey 😂

[@Rosie.T]

I have exactly the same with the eating habit. And I'm kinda struggeling with it too. (But I just love eating, so at the moment i do it i love it haha) But I think its okay. Everyone has his own "bad" habits, right? And ohmygod I laughed so hard at that jump session from Dexter haha😂 Just a great vlog Olivia, very inspirational! ❤

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Rosie T. So glad you enjoyed it ♥️♥️ everyone has areas they struggle with yeah. I just like to work on mine haha x

[@erinc8487]

❤️❤️❤️

[@kjones780]

my struggles with body image/body dismorphia have been there for years but i only realised 2 years ago, I like you used to not eat enough for my daily activity and would drink 7up before going to the gym, then when i had such bad IBS i cut out gluten/dairy to see which caused it, and that led to eliinating all kinds of stuff, alcohol, sugar, wheat, dairy, gluten, then i still had gut issues, i didnt know what it was i go super anxious about food, what i can and cant eat, panicy what may cause another bad belly, bloating, cramping etc that i gave up eating meals and had the worst ED i had ever experienced, i try to eat what i fancy now although still get stomach issues, and now its turned colder i usually opt for the stodgy comfort foods - cottage pie, jacket potato i need to try and incorp more veggies but im a carb lover at least :D hope you have or are finding a balance, and ive stopped going to the gym because of the pressures of social media, the gym, and i have been obsessed with wanting to run faster, lift heavier, do more reps.. for what!? at least with manual farm labour its getting strong and active having fun and without the pressure! xx

[@emmahewitt1403]

I love your laugh and your personality. You're so funny

[@westlodgemarty7653]

Best video on youtube so relatable

[@RachelMTaylor2]

Gosh, your intro is HOT FIRE! 🔥

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Rachel Taylor thanks so much! I am so happy with it xxx

[@ahkrkaoen3722]

First💗

[@ponyeventing4225]

❤️

[@kippen64]

The horse world can be unnecessarily brutal when it comes to riders figures, especially those of women. There's tremendous pressure to be thin. You could be a role model for healthy weight.

[@kristenwrate8142]

I love the collective yogurts. It's delicious. Yum! :)

[@katel8042]

Squash the kale with your hands first, till it is limp, then cook it. It takes some of the bitter taste out of it.

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Kate Loghrin great tip 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

[@nooranibrooke2587]

That veg is called Cavolo nero, my new base veg. so good!

[@megxn8585]

Amazing videos

[@megxn8585]

Olivia your so inspirational and you are amazing and you have come so far in the past 2 years ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️#oliviatowersdressage

[@PoniesOnWheels]

The way you pronounce yogurt cracks me up 🤣

[@allysmith2284]

Since getting back into horses I have managed to loose 25kgs I’m usually to exhausted to eat much and I have been just eating less of what I usually eat! Move more + eat less seems to work for me

[@equiicobz8883]

Same. It's a shame now coz everything's to big😂

[@jemmabrown7681]

Same thing with dairy! if your off dairy for a long time your body will stop producing lactate which is the protein or whatever that breaks down dairy.

[@chantelcraymallinson5676]

Love the vlog, as usual. One question. The water with the squash in it, like squash the vegetable? Or is this a British thing this American doesn't know about;). I am just picturing the orange, stringy stuff and not understanding how you are drinking it! Thanks for any insight. Always looking to up my water intake.

[@kippen64]

I am not British either but can promise you that she isn't talking about a vegetable. It's some sort of liquid she is flavouring her water with. I am Australian and sometimes put a bit of cordial in my water to enhance the taste.

[@emmahewitt1403]

33:58 is it yummy by any chance? Lol. Luv you , your vids and if course your horses

[@stephanglim7192]

Why don't you use coconut oil anymore for your banana pancakes?

[@vixiepixie1000]

Dexter needs to go hunting 😂🦄💪🏻

[@freyabassett5289]

I love your videos you are a lovely person I would love to meet you

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Freya Bassett Maybe one day we will ♥️

[@bechangelove]

Dark chocolate is so good for you shouldn't feel bad about eating if you want some yummy healthy food ideas check out Sarah's day KZbin channel you'll like her and she eats lots of dark chocolate

[@Sadie524]

I can't eat breakfast and I don't always eat tea and lunch

[@daisymacg5078]

Seconf

[@h495]

Hey 👋 why are humans so complicated ?💜🤔

[@777newworldlove]

I find it funny how today's dressage riders all wear these mushroom hats. I never wear a hat schooling at home only out hacking.

[@avalon8852]

Just eat real whole foods not packaged to fullness and you would be surprised how well you feel.