Easier and way more efficient.

Photo byPhoto by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

So, you ate more than usual over the holidays. So did I. That’s what holidays are for.

I know you’re worried about putting on weight. Maybe you’ve even gained a few pounds.

So what?

I’ll tell you right now: dieting in hopes of losing what you feel guilty about having eaten is the worst idea.

You’ll starve yourself, force yourself to eat soup and veggies, put yourself in a bad mood, impair your physical and mental abilities, and probably won’t even lose what you gain.

I have a much better idea for you. I’ve myself been living by this principle for over a year, and I’ve lost 14 pounds in six months. Yes, even I am surprised.

It’s all in one sentence: eat what your body asks for

I can’t say it enough. Your body knows best.

Over the past year, I have come to understand this thanks to Stephanie Buttermore’s videos, especially this one. She was tired of starving herself, so she decided to trust her body. As a result, her life has changed.

I was full of eating disorders myself. I monitored everything I ate. I counted calories. I felt guilty all the time.

I got tired of it. When I saw these videos, I decided to try to trust my body too. And it changed my life.

Here’s my theory: I believe that giving your body what it asks for, when it asks for it, allows you to reach your healthy weight because food stops being a reward and a comforter. And I believe in the ability of our bodies to self-regulate.

I was obsessed with eating. Because food was limited. It was at specific times. Specific foods. Specific amounts.

When I broke the rules and started eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, something happened. I stopped being hungry all the time. I stopped craving pizza, burgers, and ice cream. Instead, I felt a longing for a balanced diet. Sometimes pizza, sometimes vegetables. I also learned to hear my satiety.

Because my body had what it wanted. Because these foods were no longer holy grails.

Forget about dieting

Diets only lead to frustration. You may lose a few pounds, but it’s unsustainable in the long run: what happens when you go back to your normal diet?

You’ll gain it all back. Or even more.

So forget about dieting. Accept what you ate over the holidays. That’s what holidays are for. It’s a time for sharing, joy, conviviality, happiness, and good food. Accept that you ate more than usual, and celebrate your luck in doing so.

Now just listen to your body. What is it telling you right now?

It’s telling me that I want to eat something warm tonight. Maybe a homemade soup with some toast for starters. Yes, that’s healthy. But after lunch, I had peanut butter ice cream.

Because I felt like it.

When you give it back the power, your body regulates itself.

Don’t start the year with a diet. Start it by learning to listen to your body, and to trust it. This is one of the best resolutions you could make this year.

Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist or a doctor. This article is only meant to share what I have discovered about my own body. I do not accept any responsibility for the application of these experiences. Consult a physician before making any changes to your diet.