Allow yourself to go on a diet from your diet and the fasting and all the fads that are out there… you give yourself the permission to really explore and ask yourself what kinds of food do I really like?
Let’s talk about food. Specifically, the complicated, emotional, guilt-ridden, I-love-you-I-hate-you relationship many of us have with it. Recently, I joined Carmen Hecox on her podcast, Create The Best Me, to unpack exactly that—and wow, what a conversation it was. If you’ve ever wondered how to heal your relationship with food, this episode is packed with insights and ideas to help you.
Here’s the deal: food isn’t just food. It’s memories, comfort, stress, celebration, and sometimes… a straight-up battleground. So if you’ve ever felt like food has power over you, or if you’ve spent far too much energy stressing about your body, this episode is for you.
Why Food Isn’t the Enemy (Spoiler: You Aren’t Either)
One of the biggest myths we tackled is this idea that food is something to “control.” Carmen and I explored how so many of us use food to cope, punish, or reward ourselves—and how that can spiral into shame and guilt. If you’ve ever stood in front of the fridge feeling like you’re in a fight you didn’t sign up for, trust me, you’re not alone.
The takeaway? You don’t have to win the fight. In fact, you can call a truce. Food isn’t the enemy. It’s not about control; it’s about connection—to yourself, your needs, and what actually makes you feel good (hint: it’s not the number on a scale).
Rewriting the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Let’s get real. Most of us have some pretty unkind things to say about our bodies. Too this, not enough that—sound familiar? Carmen and I talked about how to shift those narratives into something kinder, more truthful, and honestly, way more fun.
What if, instead of nitpicking every so-called “flaw,” you celebrated your quirks? (Yes, even that thing you think you need to hide.) Reframing how you see yourself isn’t just life-changing—it’s freeing. Imagine what you could do with all that mental energy you’ve been spending hating your thighs.
Breaking Up With Diet Culture
Ah, diet culture. The toxic ex that just won’t quit. Carmen and I dove into how society’s obsession with diets has us stuck in an endless cycle of deprivation and guilt. But here’s the radical idea we explored: what if you stopped dieting altogether?
Instead, we talked about focusing on nourishment—choosing food for how it makes you feel, not for how many calories it contains or how “good” it is. Spoiler alert: this mindset shift can change EVERYTHING. This approach is at the heart of transforming your relationship with food and turning it into a source of energy and joy instead of stress.
The Magic of Starting Small
No one wakes up one day and magically feels great about their body and food. (And if they do, they’re probably lying.) But what you can do is start small. Maybe it’s skipping the scale for a week or practicing a little mindfulness during meals. Maybe it’s just noticing when you’re being hard on yourself and saying, “Hey, cut it out.”
Tiny changes add up. And they’re way less overwhelming than trying to overhaul your entire relationship with food in one go.
Why It’s Okay to Change (And How to Love the Process)
Our bodies change. Our minds change. Our needs change. It’s life! Carmen and I talked about how to embrace those changes instead of fighting them—and how to find joy in the process. Yes, joy. Even when your jeans don’t fit the way they used to.
This one hit home for both of us, and I think it will for you too.
What You’ll Walk Away With
By the end of our conversation, you’ll have:
- Permission to ditch the guilt around food (it’s not serving you anyway).
- A few fresh ways to reframe the way you see yourself—no toxic positivity required.
- Strategies to make peace with your plate, one bite at a time.
- A reminder that you’re not alone in this (seriously, we’ve all been there).
This episode is a love letter to anyone who’s ever struggled with food, body image, or just being kind to themselves. If that’s you, come listen. I promise you’ll walk away feeling lighter—no scale required.
Watch or listen to the episode here:
Let me know what resonated with you! I’d love to hear your thoughts. And remember: you and food? You’re on the same team. Always. 💛
