Hey there. We live in a world of extremes, especially when it comes to food. On one end, you’ll hear “food is fuel” and be told to only eat for nutrition. On the other, it’s all about indulgence, with messages like “eat whatever you want because life is short.” The problem is, neither of those extremes usually works for long-term success. What really works is learning to live in the middle.
For years, I tried everything. I followed the plans that told me to cut out entire food groups. I tried to will myself into only eating “clean” foods. And like many people, I developed what felt like fear-based reactions to certain foods. They became off-limits, and eventually turned into trigger foods. But what I’ve learned is that the food wasn’t the issue. It was the relationship I had with it.
One of the best things you can do is take a step back and look at how you respond to specific foods. Do you feel guilt when you eat them? Do you feel like you’ve failed if they’re even in the house? If so, it might be time to start the process of reintroducing them, not as a cheat or a treat, but as part of your regular routine.
Here’s what I recommend. Pair the food with something nutritious. For example, if you love chips, make a protein-packed shake to go along with them. Put the chips on a plate instead of eating out of the bag. You may not finish the whole portion. That’s progress. Eventually, that food will lose its grip on you.
You’re not just developing discipline. You’re building skills. You’re learning how to make food choices around your preferences without falling into the extremes. And yes, therapy can help with this too. But if therapy isn’t something you can access right now, there’s still work you can do on your own that moves you forward.
That’s what the inside-out process is all about. You’re not racing against the clock. There’s no deadline. You’re building a foundation that supports you for the rest of your life. And as you develop consistency, not just with what you eat but with how you think about food, you gain control. That’s where real change happens.
If you're ready to start building your own forever active lifestyle with guidance and support, I’d love for you to join The YLF Experience. We’ll work on this together.