I am not anyone else except ME. Which means the person sitting next to me has different nutritional needs than I do, so comparing myself to them is pointless — the only person I need to focus on with food and exercise is myself.
Health is about trends and consistency — just like one day of “dieting” and exercise doesn’t cause a person to lose weight, eating out of routine for a short time and enjoying foods that allow you to fully experience life and nourish your soul will not make you gain weight. Health is all about the big picture, not a snapshot.
“Occasional overeating is part of normal eating. If you don’t fight it, it doesn’t fight back. It can be a gentle experience that satisfies us and doesn’t keep us coming back for more.” – Marsha Hudnall, MS, RDN, CDN
And as one of my favorite RD pals, Kylie from @immaeatthat said as a follow up to this, “Food is also nourishing in creating positive emotions and joy. Eating past fullness can be a part of creating those positive emotions when you are using food to enhance an experience, rather than using food to smother a negative emotion or fill a void. If you are using food to fill a void, eating emotionally is not the end of the world, it just lets you know something is going on that you are trying to cope with.” So stop beating yourself up, give yourself a whole lot of grace and instead become curious about what’s really going on.
Any one food choice will not make you fat. Any one food choice will not make you fat. Any one food choice will not make you fat. But the stress and anxiety that comes with worrying about that food choice could be damaging to your long term health. So eat it, enjoy it, experience it, and move on.
Being active doesn’t come from only formal exercise — moving your body in any way is exercise…walking, hiking, swimming, some pushups before you shower, dancing, playing with your kids, and so much more. Our culture makes you think you need to be at the gym nearly every day. That’s silly and unrealistic. Move because you want to and because you care for your body. Not because you think you should and because you hate your body.
Your body was meant to be nourished and fed. Restricting leads to nothing good and will not make you happier or enough. Often, it leads to a dark place for you and affects your relationship with others.
Food rules and recovery cannot co-exist. Food rules and food freedom cannot co-exist. You have to turn from one in order to walk in the other. It doesn’t happen overnight and it isn’t all breezy, rather it’s small steps a little at a time. Because freedom is for you.
And you. And you. And you. And you.
So often I forget this sentiment. Yes, we are all humans, but that’s where the similarities end for food. My body doesn’t work the way my best friend’s does, or my brother’s, or the skinny girl that sits across from me in class. We are all living different lives, and that transfers over to our eating habits to. That quote from Marsha Hudnall is beautiful, and I really like looking at health as an overall picture, rather than one meal acting as an all or nothing perspective on health.
You are a consistent breath of fresh air, Robyn. Thank you for popping into my blog feed every so often to remind me of the natural beauty of our bodies.
SO wells aid Julia! YOU are such a breath of fresh air for women deeply struggling – your story is a source of hope!
Enjoy your weekend 🙂
This is great- I needed a reminder like this today and am so grateful to you for providing it. The part about “trends and consistency” is especially pertinent. Things always have a way of balancing out. Thank you, thank you.
If we stop fighting our bodies, they always balance out 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend!
Love this – grace, grace, grace and being gentle with ourselves are so essential! Thanks for sharing so much positivity in this space!
http://homegardenlove.com/
I love the thought of “being gentle with ourselves” – thanks for sharing! 🙂
A recent “diet trend” that I’ve noticed has been carb cycling and intermittent fasting. I’m curious…do you know anything about this fad? If so, what are your thoughts?
Love this! The wonder of grace, just as God showered His boundless grace on us, does wonders for the body. <3
This post is exactly what I needed to hear. Reading your blog has helped become a healthier, happier, more balanced person, and I cannot thank you enough for your inspiration.
Oh I’m so glad you’ve found refreshment in it!
Have a wonderful, restful weekend 🙂
I especially love this message about exercise. We tend to lock ourselves in to the same boring routines because they “burn calories” or “sculpt killer abs,” but what about just the sheer pleasure and joy of moving your body?
Love this. full of truth and a message i totally believe in! Love your stuff. so glad I found your blog!
Robyn, you are honestly such a breath of fresh air! In a world where so much pressure is put on food, it can be really easy to give in to the guilt and allow yourself to feel bad. I believe that it is truly up to each individual to make the conscious decision to give yourself grace and move on. Thank you so much for continuing to encourage me to live a more positive, free life. You are such an incredible role model.
Thank you SO much for this. Not only did I need to read it, but every single person on the PLANET needs to! Will be sharing. <3
Thank you so much for sharing!!
Robyn, LOVE this. Cannot wait to graduate and get through my internship so I am able to share this message with more and more people. It is such a strong message that meeds to be heard. No matter how educated I am about it, I still struggle myself. Thanks for sharing :*
Good luck!! You have an amazing career ahead you! xoxo
I love this post so much and it’s just what I needed today also. I have struggled with food issues for most of my adults years and I’m so weary from it. I want to incorporate many of these ideas and be easier on myself. I was feeling especially bad that my night snacking is emotional eating but reading this is helping me to look at it a different way, to evaluate what those emotions are and to be kinder to myself. Thank you!
It can be so tiring and weary – know that foods is JUST food and this life is so short. It’s not easy to fight the thoughts, but you can do it! Be gentle on yourself 🙂
Amen! Thank you for this – sharing with some of my clients!
This is such a great post Robyn. Really a slap in the face for me today, exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much xx
so glad it came at the right time 🙂
have a wonderful weekend! xoxo
Thanks girl for another truthful post. For so long I didn’t trust my body and would think my metabolism couldn’t handle certain things. Now I eat dessert pretty much everyday and my weight has not changed.
YES! And knowing that your body doesn’t change builds confidence in your food choices and trust with your body – love hearing this! 🙂
Bravo!! Wise words and well written!
I have been living this way for years!!! At 65 I could not be more healthy or happy because I realize the root of Well-being is ENJOYING LIFE, that includes what we eat.
I love hearing from a woman who speaks from experience!! Keep sharing that message Sharon! 🙂