How I Stopped Obsessing Over Food

Being in the fitness industry can be tough.  There is constant pressure to look the part.  There is also a lot of competitiveness within the industry.  Clients and students are looking to us to be an example.  We are also in clothing that can be revealing and shows off our bodies.  It is hard to cover certain areas that you are less confident about.  We are also expected to be the best.

 The pressure can be overwhelming and can cause immense pressure on what we eat.  I was afraid that someone would see me out at a restaurant or at the store and judge me for what I was eating or buying.  I lived in a constant state of fear about food and my image.

This is also coming from someone who is 5’9 and 140 lbs.  I have a very muscular build and very little shape.  I was constantly comparing myself to others and wondering why I could never get down to 120 lbs.

I am going to share my story of how I stopped obsessing over food and learned to use it for what it’s meant for… FUEL!

 For me counting calories was torture.  I would obsess about it and calculate everything I ate.  This became all consuming.  I didn’t want to go out with friends or to events afraid that it would throw off my allotted amount of calories.  If I went over my allotted amount then I would torture myself with more exercise to make up for the extra food that I ate.  I hated seeing the calories add up during the day.  I became depressed looking at the number and knowing I only had 500 calories left to eat the rest of the day, yet my stomach was growling.   I would get so defeated that I would end up giving up and then eating way more than I should have.  Thus making me feel even more depressed.

I had to learn a different way.  So, I started listening to my body.  I know that sounds so simple but it worked for me.  I started listening to when I was hungry and not obsess about writing everything down.  I found that I was having less binges and eating less.  I also found that I stopped eating when I was full.  I didn’t over eat.

Before I would eat something I would ask myself what does this offer me?  What can this food do for me?  It helped me get rid of the snack foods and lots of carbs.  If the food wan’t serving a purpose or offering me nutrients then it didn’t need to go in my mouth.  I am very active and I need to make sure I am giving my body what it needs to perform and recover.

Yes, even breakfast.  I add veggies to my shake in the morning.  You can also add them to your eggs or to a sweet potato hash.  Adding veggies gives you nutrients and fiber.  It also became fun trying to figure out how I was going to get my veggies in.  It also has made me be a little more adventurous and try new ones.

The movie theaters, being home all day, getting a quick meal for the kids and not having to cook.  Those are some of my triggers that can send me into a junk food binge.  Now, that I am aware I can prepare and make sure that I don’t fall into my old ways.  I eat before I go to the movies and only get a small popcorn instead of the large with refills.  Instead of being home all day I get out and get moving.  I also don’t have the food that tempts me at the house.  This way I don’t have easy access to it.  I plan a head for dinner.  That usually means it is in the crock pot.  We also eat early, around 4 pm.  This way we get something healthy to eat and I know each day that I need to get dinner done by then.  Having a set time helps keep you on track as well.

“I am never eating a carb again!”  I have told myself this many times.  But I would last a couple days or maybe a week with no carbs then I would go crazy and over indulge.  Adopting such drastic changes is very hard.  Not many people can maintain that.  What worked for me is giving myself some cheat meals and foods.  But thats all they were cheats.  Then I would go back to my healthier ways.

I have used food as a reward my whole life.  If I did well at something I would celebrate by going to dinner or out for ice cream.  But I think that sets ourselves up for using food to make us feel good.  Yes, food is amazing and tastes great but what are doing to ourselves by over indulging and eating junk food?  I replaced my food rewards for clothes rewards or massages or vacations.  I know they are more expensive but it causes us less harm in the long run.

My obsession with food was controlling my life and my relationships.  I wasn’t happy or confident.  Now that I have mastered it I feel so free and confident in myself.  I have endless energy and can keep up with all my classes, sleepless nights with my newborn and the 2 other kids and husband.  I am at my ideal weight and size.  I know that its possible to be free from it.  If you would like to learn more you can join my program “Change Your Relationship with Food”.  This will give you the tools you need to stop obsessing about food.