If you've ever struggled with emotional or binge eating, you know how tough the holidays can be (or really any day for that matter).
You binge your heart out at a holiday party, date night or a night alone on the couch watching Netflix and you wake up the next morning thinking to yourself how can I "fix this".
So you run to the gym, obsessively workout for 2 hours to "work it off"
I'm 100% NOT going to tell you to do ANY of those things because I've been there and not only do they not work, but they perpetuate the "I'm not enough" and obsessive cycle.
Here are my favorite ways to overcome food guilt, the RIGHT way.
1. ADOPT THE MANTRA FOOD IS FUEL
That latest diet trend that's all the rage? Paleo? Whole 30? Juice cleanse? Keto?
It's called a trend for a reason -- and is only going to give you quick fix results that will ultimately perpetuate your emotional eating and trigger your negative eating habits.
Trust me, I spent years rocking the diet trends and thinking they would be the answer to all of my problems when it turns out, the real answer to breaking free of my yo yo dieting cycle of death was to focus on eating REAL FOODS and have a meal plan that included ALL the food groups ('cause this type A gal thrives off of structure and always will)
Why the structure and not intuitive eating?
Honestly? I tried the whole intuitive eating thing and I intuitively ate an entire box of oreos...
While I'm in a place now where I can be more intuitive with my food choices because my body has self regulated after eating well for so long, I truly believe that the best way to transform your life is by adopting a meal plan that lays out the specifics of WHAT kinds of food will FUEL our bodies and the amount of food we need depending on our body type and goals.
Learn more about my food philosophy here...
2. TOSS YOUR TRIGGER FOODS
If you're an emotional/binge eater, chances are there are specific foods that set you off.
Mine are cookies, reeses cups, pizza, nutella and that monster trail mix from Target. If it's in the house, I WILL eat it. And all of it.
I used to think this made me weak, especially after being on the path to recovery for a few years and "doing so well" -- but here's the thing about binge/emotional eating, it's not a clear cut path to recovery.
We can take steps forward and find a healthy relationship with food but those pesky trigger foods are REAL.
Best way to overcome them? TOSS 'EM. Don't keep them around your house.
And if you live with someone, have the conversation with them and ask them if they'd be open to keeping those things out of the house. Your home should be your safe space and that means nothing that could trigger you, period.
3. SHOW YOURSELF SOME COMPASSION
So much about breaking free of the guilt cycle has nothing to do with our actions but everything to do with our MINDSET.
When you find yourself emotionally eating, what are you saying to yourself?
Are you using negative self talk or are you talking to yourself like you're your own best friend? It will feel completely weird at first but speaking to yourself with kindness is SO key in your journey to self love.
It starts with yourself and you have the power to turn that around in an instant -- so be KIND to yourself. Give yourself grace for not being perfect. Do something for yourself that lights you up -- take a warm bubble bath, read an inspiring book, call your mom.
You are defined by so much more than what you're eating, babe.
Still struggling with your relationship with food?
Check out these additional resources:
How to Overcome Emotional Eating
Why I refuse to do the Whole 30
Cheers to loving ourselves & fueling our bods with amazing food.
Xo Amanda