There is a Way Through

Please forgive if I’m saying this too strongly, but I’m passionate about it. I see how it ruins lives.

Food Addiction

Yup! It’s not usually called that, but whatever you want to call it, if food is something you lose control of yourself around, you crave it and think of it incessantly, it’s causing issues that are disrupting your life and future, excusing it away because everyone else is doing it, hiding when you are consuming it, not being honest about how much, not wanting to know if what it is you are consuming is healthy for you or not, not able to reel it in for more than a few days or weeks…that, my friend is addiction.

➡️ I know, because I was there and still find myself there at times.

➡️ I know because I see how this addiction affects people I deeply care about.

Food is supposed to be fuel, nourishment, energy - enough to match how much we USE for the day. Not enough, we don’t feel good. Too much, we don’t feel good.

But instead, we use it as comfort, distraction, stress release, filling up boring moments, “oral fixations”, dopamine release, a literal drug effect seeking pleasure, grief, celebration, giving and receiving love. I probably wouldn’t feel this way if the foods we tended to use for such experiences were arugula, grilled chicken, hummus, cucumber 🥒, you get the idea…but no, it’s the sweetest, fattest and saltiest or mood altering-est (alcoholic beverages especially) possible. In order to be worth our while, the portions have to be enormous, enough to satisfy several meals. The chemicals added to our food are literally put in there to MAKE us addicted, and the FDA almost didn’t allow sugar because it was so addictive and dangerous-as much as cocaine! These poor habits are literally killing us, but we tiptoe around the subject because it triggers. I’m SORRY!! What kind of culture are we contributing to and passing on to our kids?!

I’m on my soap box here, but I’m sad and upset that so many of us allow ourselves all the excuses to keep doing it even though it will be literally the death of us and our next generation because of the poor example we are setting. Nor are we bothering to fight the industry that is taking full advantage of our addictions. Yes, we are (or should be) at war!!

Another frustrating thing is how so many well meaning attempts to change habits end futilely because the advice they are given won’t work. That doesn’t bode well for confidence to give anything else a go.

The biggest issue I see in the normal American way of eating is the amount of sugars and simple carbs consumed in a day. Most people aren’t using up all the glycogen ingested. What we don’t burn 🔥 off will get stored. Try tracking what you are eating for a few days. See what your numbers are. Many of you will be shocked!

Exercise is SUPER important….but not really the way to lose weight, though. Not without FIRST dialing in how you eat. You MUST change your nutrition habits to lose as well as keep it off. Let me say it again…you MUST change - create a new pattern, new behaviors, a new relationship to foods to lose the weight AND keep it off. Exercise helps tremendously once the nutrition is dialed in but NOT before.

The next issue I see is starving oneself to lose weight. Not eating and not eating on time is TERRIBLE for the metabolism and the blood sugar and therefore the hormones. Our LIFE ENERGY is important. The months where we are in process of finding our new ideal weight set point should be full of life and energy, not feeling tired and depleted and moody. Yup, I’ve done those kind. And not eating just leads to cravings and feeling insatiable and out of control. That only makes our addictions stronger!!

You might be surprised at the next two…not getting enough carbs and thinking any amount of fat is ok. Nope, our bodies (muscles and brain) need a certain number of carbs and too much fat is terrible for the liver long term.

The solution I have found is:

Eat only nutrient dense foods that are balanced macros with portion control (based on your basal metabolic rate, daily activity and whether you need to lose weight, maintain your weight or gain weight), eat on time (every 2-3 hours) throughout the day and drink at least 64 ounces of water. This regulates our metabolism and hormones, improves sleep, turns off cravings, keeps energy even all day, not spiking and crashing-EVER. When we give in to the extra sugar or the foods we tend to be addicted to, the dopamine receptors start to fire up and demand more, more, more. Some of us (ME!) are more susceptible than others. We have to be vigilant and daily contending for what serves what we ultimately want.

I have been eating this way for 20 months now. I’ve never felt more alive. That feeling is SO MUCH BETTER than that extra sugar I’m saying no to.

But beyond the actual eating habits are the more important mind habits. I don’t care what kind of addiction you have, if we don’t train the mind and seize control of our mental habits, we will always return to the patterns that stole our life away.

I have found INSTEADS. Here are 9 of them:

1: Instead of eating, I will walk. Exercise gives a beautiful mental boost and clarity. The blood courses through my veins and I feel refreshed and much more capable of making good choices.

2: Instead of grabbing something from the pantry or fridge, I will grab my water. Often, I’m just thirsty or the time it takes me to drink allows the other “feeling” whatever it was, to pass.

3: If I’m feeling emotional or stressed, extra sleep is restorative, putting on worship music, praying, journaling, calling a friend, a hot soaking bath, deep breathing, meditating, reading or watching something inspiring, vigorous exercise where I break a sweat, all these help shift my mind away and actually can provide the real comfort I’m looking for.

4: Bring my own food to events. That way I know I can always make a good choice. Failing to plan is planning to fail. Don’t leave things up to someone else. It’s YOUR life not theirs.

5: Just say no. Is that dessert staring at you? Get used to saying no. It gets easier the more you do it. When you are clear about what you REALLY want, that deep desire trumps all the desserts out there. It’s gotta be compelling and vivid and emotional, though, or it won’t last.

6: Leave the room. Literally. Just don’t be around it. Especially notice your “weak” times of the day. Plan to NOT be where the foods are when you are most vulnerable.

7: Have healthy options ready to go so you can easily make the right choice. If it’s not doable consistently, you won’t stick with it. You will fall right back where you started.

8: Check in regularly with someone who wants me to succeed. When I know I’m going to have THAT conversation, it definitely affects what my choices will be before that!

9: Have your list of INSTEADS handy and ready so you can easily turn to them. Put the list on your fridge or pantry or as a sticky in your car or as you open your phone.

I pray none of you reading this will ever waste a moment of your precious time doing anything that won’t actually work. There are a lot of great plans out there. Find the one that YOU will stick with and one that you have seen proven to work (best if that proof is with your own eyes!) Also, find someone who is willing to hold you accountable. There are many who will pressure you to not stick to your plan. Maybe it inconveniences them somehow? Find your healthy tribe. They are out there! Your life is too important to waste one more day not taking care of your health, and addictions are too difficult to tackle alone.

If you aren’t sure where to start, I’ve got you!! I will share with you what my system is (with recommended tools provided or not ….my coaching is expanding…😊 and find out what is the best fit for you.)

Addiction does not have to control your life anymore. You CAN witness yourself have discipline and self control. I know, if I can, so can you!!

If we are to be addicted to anything, let’s be addicted to keeping promises to ourselves, living a life, full of love and vitality, addicted to that sense of satisfaction when we know, we have done our best and are living excellently.

If you read this far, thanks for sticking with me and hearing me out and letting me rant!! I would love to hear how you have overcome your addictions, whether to food or something else, or if you recognize you need some support through to the other side of it. Yes! There is a way through!!

#inspiringhabitsofharmony

#mydailywarmup