UNDERSTANDING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD

Over the course of time, everybody begins to develop certain

habits. We develop habits in all arenas of our lives. We develop

hygiene habits, food habits, work habits, and all sorts of other

types of habits. However, they are usually pretty oblivious to our

habits until they

begin to affect us negatively. And even then, when we begin to

understand that we are being poorly impacted by our habits, it

can be very difficult to change them. Because that is what I have

it is like.

A habit is something that we do almost unconsciously. We are

programmed to follow these habits, and it takes a great amount

of willpower to break free from the cycle.

Once you begin to understand that your relationship with food

has everything to do with the habits that you have created and

habits that you can continue to mold and cultivate, then it

becomes far easier to change your mindset.

When you realize the impact and importance of your future and

making positive choices about these things, it can make you

more primed toward healthy eating and less inclined to make

choices that negatively impact you and your future.

To be truthful, many of us seem to consider the future bleak. We

do not see reasons enough to change our habits because if we

do not believe that we have anything good to look forward to,

then it doesn’t matter whether we make good choices or not.

We do not see how we can actually pave our future to be in our

best interests. Probably because we do not believe that we have

any power over our lives.

If you can relate to this feeling, don’t be alarmed. It is very

common of the human experience. We are generally

discouraged from taking control and utilizing our power from an

early age, and sometimes stopped believing we have any

authority over our lives because we are usually told what to do

by other people.

As children, that makes sense. Children don’t always know what

is best for them. But it can encourage a very helpless type of

mindset that causes us to have a hard time understanding that

the consequences of our actions can truly begin to shape who

we are and how we present ourselves to the world.

This is why it is important to truly take steps to help you

understand yourself and your dietary habits. When did your

habit begin? How did you form that habit? Why? What benefits

do you have from this habit? What negative effects do you have

from this habit?

Ask yourself as many of these questions as you possibly can so

that you begin to truly have an understanding of how it is that

you are shaping your future with the food that you are eating.

Are you creating a healthy and energized future, or are you

creating a future that is bleak and potentially full of negative

health consequences?

Next, evaluate your sense of self discipline. Are you capable of

maintaining discipline over your choices? Or is this an area where

you struggle? Discipline can be difficult for everybody, and if you

find yourself having a hard time staying disciplined, it would do

you well to look into different ways that you are able to

encourage yourself to be a more disciplined person both in

practice and mentally.

Only then will you truly have what it takes to begin a journey of

healthy eating. Because whether we like it or not, and bad health

choices are everywhere. They are easy and they are addicting.

If we allow ourselves to be swayed by these poor choices, and

do nothing to change our habits, then it doesn’t matter whether

you eat healthy sometimes or not. The negative effects will still

be gripping your body and waiting to spring up on you when you

least expect it.

In a way, unhealthy eating is a self-destructive pattern that a lot

of us take part in. Whether this is because of poor self-esteem,

or simply because we are unhappy with our situations and have

no faith in the future, self-destructive eating patterns are

dangerous. You have to look to yourself and truly value your life

and your future before eating healthy will stick.

There are many ways that you can do this, and if possible, you

may even want to consult a mental health professional for

support. Sometimes, they can help us to see biases and negative

patterns in our lives that we remain oblivious to. Once those are

understood and accepted, then it can be that much easier to

overcome them and take the steps that you need to take in order

to make positive choices.

Whether you seek out the help of a qualified professional or not,

there are many things that you can do to change your mindset.

As long as you understand that you are worthy of a healthy body

and a positive future, then you will allow yourself to take the

steps necessary to get there.

But if you do not feel good about yourself, it is going to be a lot

harder. Overall, understanding yourself, your habits, your

mental roadblocks, and your discipline, will help you in your

journey. All of us can take steps every day toward becoming our

best possible selves, and healthy eating is one great step in that

direction.