Why can’t I stop thinking about diet and exercise?
I want to let go of the control I have over food. I want to stop fearing food. I want to stop overthinking all my lifestyle choices. I want to overthinking about what I eat, and trying to burn off anything extra. portions and exercise routines. I want to let go… but I’m afraid of change.
What are we really trying to control here? Is it honestly worth losing 95% of our brain space and happiness over the 5% of weight we’re trying to lose?
I want you to think about what you might be feeling insecure about: your caloric intake, a specific part of your body, your portion size or eating habits compared to others, your workout regimen… or any and all of the above? Now, I want you think about when these thoughts started, or what might have brought them on? Was there a traumatic event that occurred? Societal “norms” and social media comparisons? Perhaps a comment someone once made. Do we want to keep living a life where we’re chasing to shed off a few more pounds, or is what we want to feel better about and within ourselves?
I’ll tell you what I tell all my clients during our first session - it doesn’t have to be this difficult. You likely can’t let go of control that you may not even know you had due to underlying reasons. You might fear weight gain, or that others will notice how your body has changed.
Here’s where you can start to gain your freedom back IRL (in real life, but also; identify, reframe, live):
Identify what gives you the most stress and anxiety. Is it having to look your best for every occasion? Fearing what foods will or won’t be there and that there won’t be anything for you to eat or even fit into your calories? Identify your fears and write them down.
Reframe how you think about your fears and your body - what do you appreciate about social events? What’s one thing you love about life that your body gives you the ability to do? Write this down and keep it somewhere you can see every morning and anytime these thoughts come crawling back.
Live your life by planning for an activity you once loved and haven’t engaged in so long. Immerse yourself in a creative outlet like taking a painting or pottery class. Invite a friend to try the new restaurant you’ve been eyeing for so long, and read your affirmations from 1. and 2. before going! Make a list of all the activities you want to get back into doing or try as a fresh start.
Interested in more? Send me a message and we can chat 1 on 1!
