I was recently inspired to write from the heart.
It started with a small facebook post that turned into a little bit more. I wanted to come clean and be honest about how my life is so greatly effected by food.
In my practice, I find that most women {myself included} struggle with some type of food addiction. It can range from everyday, emotional eating – to what feels like out of control, food obsession. Regardless of our unique and individual relationships with food, it seems that for many there’s an underlying psychological connection.
This is a guest post written by one of the most courageous and inspiring people in my life.
“Despite that fact that I’m bulimic and regularly abuse my body, I’m obsessed with being healthy. Ironic, I know. I’m terrified to put anything in my mouth that isn’t wholesome. I don’t count calories, I count nutrients. And, over the years, my list of safe foods has shrunk as our health obsessed culture has grown. Currently, I can’t eat sugar, bad fats, white carbs, most meats, dairy, and anything processed and sometimes cooked without spiraling into an uncontrollable binge.
I know, that’s my own issue. I’m not blaming our culture for my black or white thinking and the fact that I am unable to practice moderation. But we are a food obsessed society. And for someone with mental issues prone to addiction, health related insanity provides an easy outlet. Not only are we bombarded with messages about what our bodies should look like, but we are continually besieged with messages about what our diets should look like. If it’s not whole – grain, vegan, gluten + dairy free, raw, unprocessed, organic, locally + ethically grown or raised, then you should feel bad for eating it. It can certainly feel impossible to eat the right thing, ever. As soon as you think you are, a new article is published about how bad that food is for you or our environment.
In the end, I feel it’s far worse on our health to be constantly stressed out about food than it is to eat a piece of white bread every once and awhile. I look forward to reaching a place where I can eat whatever is in front of me and truly be grateful.”
—Janet Ford
