07/15/2026
Did I have to change the way I was eating when I started my health journey? Absolutely! I was living off fast food and processed convenience food. But did I tell myself any food category or type was off limits? No!
I loved food. I still love food. I just needed to make sure it wasn’t my first love or primary source of joy, not something I was restricting myself from, because that would just keep me wanting more of it and bingeing whenever I finally got my hands on it.
Practically, here’s what I did. ⬇️
1. I chose a way of eating I wanted to live with long term. I wanted to focus on whole, minimally processed foods with real nutrients, and meals that were simple and easy since I don’t love cooking. I found a “plan” that gave me both. But it wasn’t really a plan, it was just a new way (to me) of eating.
2. I didn’t restrict any food groups, but I did limit how often I had them. I aimed to only have the foods I had less control around (candy, baked goods, chips, etc.) when I was with other people, and stopped keeping them in my house. That helped those foods stop being my primary source of joy, since community was bringing me joy too, and I was less likely to overeat around others.
3. I shifted my mindset around food. Instead of labeling foods “good” or “bad,” I focused on what would fuel me better and help me feel my best and reminded myself that saying “no” sometimes wasn’t restriction, just a beneficial choice in the moment. I also told myself I could have those foods again anytime I wanted. Knowing nothing was truly off limits took away the urge to overindulge, because I’m an adult who can choose it again whenever I want.
I completely changed the way I ate to lose over 200lbs naturally. But I was never miserable and I never felt deprived. I still let myself have the things I craved, and I knew every choice was bringing me closer to a bigger, fuller life. There’s nothing depriving about that. ☺️
