Dear Serial Dieter,
Oh, I can relate. I’ve been dieting since I was an adolescent. In fact, in my highschool year book where we listed hobbies I wrote: “Dieting!” I thought it was funny. Fast forward a zillion years and I’m still dealing daily with this area of weakness. It isn’t quite so funny. I’ve been on just about every diet in the book -except maybe the ‘brown diet’ I heard about the other day – what is it? Cigarettes and coffee? Gross! I have some limits to wanting to control my eating and my weight!
This last year has been a year of discovery for me that I wanted to share with you – hoping that we can walk this journey to victory and freedom together. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be free from the preoccupation of dieting and worrying about what you’re eating? Or feeling deprived because of what you aren’t allowed to eat?
Imagine how liberating it would be to just like yourself?! Oh this constant dieting, binge eating, and obsessing over our weight drains the joy right out of our lives.
I’ve been working with an amazingly patient and supportive nutritionist, Megan Keyser, with Full Living Nutrition , who introduced me to intuitive eating and a book that has tied so many loose ends together. The book is called, “Women Food and God,” by Geneen Roth. If you can get past the author’s definition of “god” it is a book worth reading. If you’re not up for reading the book, not to worry because I’m going to share with you my journey and infuse the wonder (and struggle) of walking with God through this process.
Firstoff, I’ve learned that all my dieting isn’t about food. It isn’t even about my messed up body image. That might surprise you – it did me! Megan kept insisting that I wouldn’t be happier if I was thinner and I thought she was crazy. Oh, I know I always feel better carrying less weight – but happier? Now I see things a little differently….
When we’ve been serial dieting for years there’s something going on deep within our souls. I think about the hundreds of pounds I’ve lost and regained over the past decades and it begs the question: Why didn’t I keep the weight off if I wanted to be thin? If it was just about looking good, why did I consistently gain the weight back?
Simple answer: If we’re serial dieting, it must be about more than just the food, the weight, or the body image.
I want to walk you through the steps I’ve found to be helpful. But we’ll take it slow, because anything this deep rooted takes time to work through. There is an emptiness that only God can fill – yet we try to fill with food (or other crazy habits).
One thing that I’ve found extremely helpful is to look at this as a process. A process which will take excavating through layers of learned behaviors and beliefs. It’s as if we are carefully excavating fossils, curiously seeing what is in each layer to be sure that we don’t miss a clue that may unlock a key to the next step towards freedom. You know how archeologists use a soft bristled brush to sweep the dust and debris off an artifact? We will be gently and curiously uncovering the layers upon layers that cause our chronic dieting.
For starters, I’d like to challenge you this week to practice being curious. Instead of watching yourself like a judge and jury – just watch. What are you eating? Why are you eating? Are you enjoying the food? Are you enjoying the experience? Don’t judge.
Just be curious and try to experience every bite. Try to enjoy every bite. Sounds easy doesn’t it? Oh! You’ll be surprised what you discover if you’re anything like me!
Remember this is a journey of discovery and you need to be patient with yourself. Freedom is yours, mine, ours! Let’s go for it and enjoy this precious life!
I want to support you and encourage you as you rid yourself of dieting and return to your normal body weight. If you’d like to walk this journey together as we uncover the why’s of our chronic dieting, as well as pinpointing the reason we struggle, I’ll continue writing you here each week. You can also join me on FB in my private group titled, “Trekking Thru…to Freedom” if you’d like to join forces and encourage each other through this process.
Meanwhile my friend, remember to be kind to yourself. God made you perfect. You’ll realize that as you walk through this process of re-learning to eat to feed your body and appreciate all God created in YOU!
This week: Enjoy your food! Every bite! Let me know how you’re doing and what you discover – I think you’ll be surprised if you taste each bite – even for a little bit. I know I was!
In this journey with you,
If you’d like to receive the worksheets each week as we walk through (with curiosity) this journey, just subscribe in the box on the sidebar and I’ll be sure to send the worksheets to you so you don’t miss any steps!
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Monica B says
Hi Char,
I love how you shared what you learned about how these issues reach far deeper. For me it feels like a relief to see this blog and know that you are sharing your growth journey. I need to have a breakthrough in this area of my life. I’m looking forward to taking this journey too. I’m curious to hear others share as well. I don’t like how much time and mental/emotional energy these particular struggles have taken from me. I agree that there is a lack of meaningful inner peace that we need to learn to get from God. This is all so exciting. Thanks for delving into this topic. I want to go deeper and be be joyful and free. I’m going to listen to my heart and mind with each bite. I’m downloading the worksheet! Please keep posting about this topic. I want freedom and a deeper walk with God too!!!
Char says
Thanks for being a part of my journey for years Monica! You’re a blessing!
Michele Morin says
This sounds like a thought process that is coming along at just the right time for this serial dieter.
Char says
Yay! It’s never too late!!!
Crystal Twaddell says
Char, I’m so looking forward to the wisdom you’re gleaning and sharing. This topic isn’t one addressed generally and yet it is as much a spiritual part of our lives as taming our tongue, taking our thoughts captive, etc. I’ve never been a serial dieter, but I can definitely identify with eating to fill the emptiness at times and simply not being mindful of my patterns of eating. So glad you will be sharing your journey!
Char says
Thanks Crystal, I so appreciate your encouragement and pointing us towards addressing the spiritual part of this journey.
Laurie says
Thank you for sharing the lessons learned from the book and the process with us. I sometimes wonder why no woman ever thinks she is thin enough. Or pretty enough. Or talented, kind, or gracious enough. We all could give ourselves the grace that comes so freely from God.
Good to hear from you again, Char!
Char says
Thanks Laurie, I love your perspective which tells me you probably don’t deal with the crazy thoughts so many of us struggle with! Please keep sharing as we all through this. We can glean from you!
Patrick Weseman says
Wow, that is so powerful. I will have to check that out. Thanks for sharing it. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Char says
Thanks Patrick! Have a great week too!
Lauren Sparks says
I read that book years ago and it had a big impact on me. Food issues are so hard to overcome. I will be joining you on the FB group. Praying for you in this. laurensparks.net
Char says
Oh good Lauren! I’m so excited to join together!
Jerralea says
This will be an interesting journey! Thanks for being so vulnerable and open with us!
I wouldn’t say I’m a serial dieter, I’ve been the same size for years and years now, but it IS heavier than when I was in my 20s. And I would like the energy of being that size again!
Char says
It sounds like you can be a role model for the rest of us Jerald’s!
Cheryl says
Thank you for having the courage to talk about such a personal topic; I can definitely relate! I feel that the insanity relating to my relationship with food is a combination of disordered factors ranging between ineffective coping, poor self-esteem, and lack of self control. Unfortunately, we live in a society which centers around food between socials for work, friends, kids, etc. to a grocery shopping trip to Sam’s or Costco where food samples are around every corner. I have found that the best food therapy for me is structure entailing less food choices; regular weigh-ins, and accountability through journaling. Through these practices, I feel more in control resulting in a happier me!
Debra Jean says
This is my first time at your blog, It is lovely! I came to participate in your link up. I can’t claim to be a chronic dieter, as I have only had any issue with weight in the last couple years (due to medications) but I am very interested in what you will have to share next week. I’ll be back! I would love to know what theme you use for your blog, I love the look! Many Thanks!
Char says
Welcome Debra, I’m delighted you stopped by and I look forward to getting to know you! I’ll email you about the theme. 😏
Lisa notes says
“I’ve learned that all my dieting isn’t about food.” We have such complicated relationships with food. 🙁 I know I do. I’ll look forward to what you’re going to share here, Char. Thanks.
Char says
Thanks for walking the journey with me Lisa!
sue says
Love it!
Mary Hill says
Sounds like an excellent plan to help with food issues. I subscribed to download the worksheet. Please share this on my weekly linkup : Literacy Musing Mondays. Here is this week’s link, but share next Monday too if you don’t mind. http://maryanderingcreatively.com/lmmlinkup-seeking-challenge/
Leslie Newman says
Char, thank you for sharing this. I loved the analogy about the fossils. That’s a great way to understand what the process is like!
Char says
Yep! A little discovery at a time. Often we put way too much pressure on ourselves to overcome huge obstacles instantly.
Maree Dee says
It sounds like a great plan. I too have gained and lost over the year. Right now I’m in the process of losing.
Char says
Glad you’re here Maree! Have a blessed week.