For those of us who struggle with weight there can often be no “joy” left in eating.  Food has become a compulsion rather than a pleasure.  We are in a fight with ourselves around food.  We feel strong cravings but also emotional conflict over what to eat, over when to eat, and over how much to eat.

 I spent many years tortured by food choices.  I starved myself trying to stay thin – depriving myself of any enjoyment around food.  Then, all of the sudden, I would find myself on a compulsive binge – shoveling unhealthy foods into my body without tasting a single bite.

 My relationship with food was out of wack, because I used food to cope with stress, anxiety, and emotion.  Food choices became so stressful that I had trouble slowing down and really tasting what I was eating. 

 Becoming conscious of the needs that I was using food to try and meet, I began to dispel the powerful grip that my negative relationship with food had on me.  Finding “self-honoring” ways to meet my needs and designing practices to slowly change my eating habits, I ultimately began to change my experience with food.

 With compassion and care I have come a long way to change my relationship with food.  This is a journey that continues, but I am committed to eating consciously.  My intention is to bring the joy back to eating.