Continue Your Wellness Journey and Break Up With Dieting in 2018

My favorite part of being in the space of health and wellness is that I can be a part of a journey, or evolution of wellness. Maybe it’s your journey to find food freedom. Maybe it’s your culinary journey. Maybe it’s a journey towards self-love.

I know you’ve been a significant part of my personal health and wellness journey, one which I hope to open up even more about in the new year!

Why a journey?

Health and wellness isn’t finite. It’s something that evolves over the course of days, months and years. We have the opportunity to continually add to our journey, find new things that help us each feel our absolute best, in the way that fits how we each live our own, unique lives.

We can also open our minds to explore new avenues… And that’s what helped shape my own journey in 2017.

My goal for my corner of the wellness space in 2017 was to be more transparent. I’ve taken baby steps to open up more, be vulnerable and share my own health and wellness evolution with you.

And it’s helped me along my own journey of self-discovery, self-love, and self-confidence.

But I also hope that it’s helped you too – where ever you may be in your own exploration of health and wellness.

Reflections On 2017

2017 was a big year of transitions for me – personally and professionally. It wasn’t always easy to practice what I teach anymore, I was challenged in new ways, and finally found my space in this enormous world of nutrition and wellness. And it feels soooo good.

2017 was the year I found my confidence to actually be totally transparent. I didn’t only talk about cookie dough and huge bowls of soup (although both equally delicious and great in their own ways!). I tried to open up a conversation about weight, imperfections, and eating just because you want to.

As I’ve continued my education outside of my formal dietetics training program, I have been able to refine my science-based beliefs about food and nutrition… and the dieting industry (but more on that in a minute!).

Food is about so much more than carbohydrates, protein and fat, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants. It’s about how it makes us feel – physically and emotionally. And that’s what really clicked with me this year. So thank you intuitive eating movement.

Sure, food is tied to memories and emotions for me too. But being able to help others eliminate restriction, break up with dieting and find their food freedom, while still feeling their absolute best, empowered me to uninhibitedly do the same in my own wellness journey.

Break Up With Dieting in 2018

So as another year comes to a close, we’re once again inundated with dieting messages. If even possible, it feels like the dieting propaganda is stronger than ever. But not over here. At least not anymore…

Back in 2014, I wrote, “The sense of improving ourselves is what New Years resolutions are all about.” 

And there’s nothing wrong with using what society has come to call a blank slate, like a new year, to give yourself the nudge to continue working on self-improvement. I know I need the nudge.

But that doesn’t mean you need to change the body that you’re in.

But it’s OK if you want to make (other) changes in 2018.

If you want to continue to work on improving yourself so you feel better, have more energy, know yourself, stay present in the moment, and find time for self-care.

If you want to start eating more vegetables or less sugar because it will make you feel better or be more productive at work.

If you want to put down your phone when you’re at the dinner table (yes, I’m talking to myself here).

Years ago, I challenged myself to be more present in the moment. But guess what, it’s still something I struggle with. But on my wellness journey, I’ve learned to be more compassionate to myself, so instead of berating myself for what I don’t do, I’m looking forward to continuing to work on this.

The mindful eating community can be a little confusing sometimes. I’ve heard a lot of diet shunning for the new year (which I totally agree with), but I’ve also heard a lot of January is just another month. If January has always been a new start for you, with new buzz and excitement for a new year, I think it’s OK if you want to make changes.

You can want to improve your eating habits and overall wellness, without dieting. I want you to do so without restriction, while creating sustainable habits that can last.

You don’t need to diet in 2018.

The science shows that most diets don’t work anyways. So you follow a plan for a few weeks, get bored, and then gain back the weight you lost – and usually more than what you started with.

This is stressful for your body, not good for your metabolism, and in all likelihood, not the best experience for your psyche. Because who wants to be around a deprived strict eater?

You can use the new year to commit to working hard towards something. And that’s what I still feel New Year’s Resolutions – or intentions –  should be about!

2018 is going to be one hell of a year! I’m getting married in 8 weeks (eeeeeek!), I’m continuing to grow my business while I work full-time, and I’m more determined than ever to figure out this whole work-life balance thing.

It turns out, I too forget my “resolutions” by February each year. My sleep is still as erratic as ever (even though I vowed last year was going to be the year I found a sleep routine that works for me) and my stress is at an all-time high.

The lesson: I’m not perfect. I don’t have it all together. And I’ve finally found peace with this fact, through a lot of hard work.

I can’t get everything done on my own, but I’ve realized that it’s OK to ask for help! The same goes for you.

Why am I so passionate about helping you break up with dieting?

Because it’s freeing.

This year was transformative. 2017 definitely didn’t happen as I thought it would. I was able to breakthrough the dieting world with my clients, but also myself this year. And it’s not until your entire mindset shifts and you give yourself unapologetic permission to eat whatever you want, that you can feel this free too.

And motivated. You can feel motivated for your health. You can give your body the nourishment and comfort that it needs.

You don’t need to feel pressure to workout. You body can know it can relax if it wants to.

Personally, I feel inspired. More so lately than ever before, that it’s OK to let you in on more than just the highlight reel. Social media and blogging often shows all the highs… and yes, even acts as if the lows never happened. You see finished recipes that look and taste delicious… Not the 50 other photos that I didn’t post pre-edits. Not the failed recipes that taste chalky or fall apart.

And as a dietitian and food blogger, I’ve finally realized this… and I want to do something about it. No, I’m not going to post bad pictures of food all of a sudden, because then you won’t want to make my recipes!

But in showing you more of real life, I see it helping you on a daily basis.

So many times clients let out this HUGE sigh of relief when I say there are still times I overeat or just eat my favorite tortilla chips for dinner (like last night). I don’t have life perfectly figured out… and I don’t want you to think that I do… because what kind of example is that?

Let’s break up with dieting in 2018 and find this freedom that comes from shifting your mindset. No, you don’t have to sit on the couch in stretchy pants and eat donuts all day.

You can (and you WILL) still feel your best, look your best, and be the best version of yourself – for your family, your friends, your job, and most importantly, YOU!

Are you ready to break up with dieting in 2018? 

Let’s chat…