Restricting Is Limiting

Restricting food limits the body.

It limits the nutrients your body receives. 

It limits the energy you have for the day. 

It limits your mind’s ability to think clearly. 

It limits your emotions’ ability to stay calm.

And there’s more.

When I restricted food, I also restricted my:

Patience — because a hungry brain is a loud brain. Thoughts controlled my life. I’d power through 100 things to get the one ice cream I wanted, and if the ice cream wasn’t there, the whole day collapsed.

Self-acceptance — because nothing I accomplished externally ever felt like enough internally.

Presence — because I was ALWAYS thinking about food.

Joy — because I couldn’t enjoy a meal without judging it or myself. I ate beautiful food and told myself I didn’t need it.

Connection — because I was distracted by my own rules. I missed deeper connection with my children when they were younger. I wasn’t able to listen well enough to know them better.

Restriction wears many disguises. It can look like control, discipline, and “being good.” But underneath, restriction is fear. For me, it was fear of the body, fear of weight, and fear of not being liked.

And restriction doesn’t just limit what the body receives. Eventually restriction takes from what the body has stored, including your bones.

I know about the severity of bone loss because I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in my mid-forties from restricting my food intake.

I share this because my experience may support your experience.

Real food rarely needs to be restricted. Real food is what the body thrives on. And when real food is provided to the body consistently, the part of you that wanted to restrict starts to quiet.

Restriction limits. Nourishment expands.

Welcome to the meal.

Stacy

I share my experiences and my perspective. Eating and healing look different for everyone. If you are struggling with food or your relationship with your body, please find support. You don’t have to do this alone.