What is food freedom?
Is it the freedom to eat whatever you want, whenever you want without restraint? That feels freeing in the moment, right? No more saying no to the bread basket, or declining dessert. No more thinking twice about that third piece of pizza, just go for it! Sounds kind of enticing, doesn’t it?
But let me ask you, how free do you feel an hour later? Or a day later when you wake up feeling totally bloated? How about a month later when you’ve put on an additional 10 pounds from all of the “yes please, I’ll have another,” and not being able to fit into your favorite jeans?
My guess is, not so great—not so free.
And then you may start to think, “it’s not fair, how come I can’t eat like a normal person?” or “there must be something wrong with me.” And you feel defeated and broken.
I know this story all too well. I’ve been there more times than I want to admit.
Luckily, I’ve redefined food freedom in a way that works for me.
To me, food freedom is reducing the desire for shitty foods. Food freedom is not eating my feelings. It’s being able to say no to dessert without any charge or trigger. It’s going to a restaurant and focusing more on the company, than the appetizers. Food freedom is driving past In-N-Out without having the slightest urge to stop.
And even more freeing is the way I feel when I put my clothes on. Or not having to put a ton of foundation on to cover the blemishes I used to get from processed foods. It’s having energy all day. It’s the confidence that comes from following through with my commitments to myself. Freedom is knowing what foods fuel my body, and which ones don’t.
I ultimately believe that true freedom is being able to differentiate a short-term indulgence from long-term satisfaction!
So let me ask you, how do you want to define food freedom?
In health & happiness,
Jamie
