Sully and I were having one of my favorite meals.
The foodcourt pizza at Costco!
Can we take a sec to honor how dang delicious that culinary delight is?!
While we were enjoying our pizza we saw a friend as she was walking toward the exit.
I grabbed her attention, she came over, we all hugged, and briefly got caught up with what we’ve all been up to since we saw her last.
Towards the end of the conversation she asked if we like their pizza.
Of course I gave a short profession of my deep and undying love for Costco’s pizza and was sure to mention their chocolate chunk cookies because sharing is caring.
What happened next made me so sad.
Our friend said, “I would have to workout for hours to enjoy the pizza and a cookie.”
Ouch.
My heart broke for how she essentially thought, felt, and acted like she had to earn food.
That she could not eat and enjoy the deliciousness without having to workout before or after.
And OMG, I understand this mindset.
I remember in college, going to so many step aerobics classes to burn calories that I was planning to eat or had eaten.
I internalized all the bullshit thoughts society tells us about what our bodies should look like.
And when we buy into a mentality, and make it a part of our belief system, it dictates our actions and gives us the life we have.
The best news is that because you created the thought in your mind, YOU can change that little sucker, yay!
It’s not permanent unless you keep fueling it.
You can decide that you’re getting off that judgmental, meany pants, punitive way of looking at food and your body.
Little by little you can rewrite the story you tell yourself about having to earn food.
Certain foods don’t have to be off limits unless you “burn the calories.”
And when you put in the effort to do so, you can savor every bite of pizza, mac-n-cheese, icecream, or chips.
Then this really cool thing happens, food and exercise noise quiets, and you can go on about your amazing day without beating yourself up.
Freedom and ease with food are 100% in the realm of possibility because our brains are wired to change. Thanks to neuroplasticity!
Notice the current noise, compassionately decide you aren’t going to play that game anymore, and make an intentional decision about how you want to think about it instead.
Just because it’s been one way for a long hot minute, doesn’t mean it’s automatically destined to be that way forever.
It’s your choice and I believe in you!
And I can guide you through it.
