There was a long time when I classified foods as “good” or bad”, when I would avoid going out because I was afraid of what I would eat, when I was terrified of certain “forbidden foods”.  In addition, I would spend 2-3 hours at the gym doing mostly cardio.  When I wasn’t obsessing about food or exercise, I was criticizing my body.

All of this resulted in unhealthy restrictions, overeating and overexercising.  I spent so much time obsessing about what I could and couldn’t eat, when I would eat, and how much time I could log in the gym, and an extra 30 pounds I couldn’t get off (yes, even with all those hours in the gym).  And more importantly, I felt worse and worse mentally, physically, and emotionally.

It took work, but once I began to see food as  good, as fuel for my body, and deciding to eat and exercise because I loved my body, not because I hated it, everything changed.  I’m not saying it’s easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight,  but if you work to change your relationship with food, the changes in your mind and body will follow.    This includes eating foods sometimes that are less healthy but taste good, and enjoying them!  This includes social eating and drinking, as well as functional eating and drinking.  This includes being mindful of what goes in your body because you want to make it stronger and healthier and cleaner, but not beating yourself up when you can’t do that all the time.

Relax.  Enjoy food.  Appreciate food.  Love food!  Your body and mind will thank you.