A few years ago, I felt stuck.
I was caught in a cycle of trying to eat perfectly, then binge eating when i felt stressed or guilty. I thought I needed more willpower or the right diet to fix it but nothing worked for long. Every attempt made me feel like a failure. I was tired of rules, tracking and guilt.
Then I started looking at things differently.
I began listening to Marisa Peer, a therapist who teaches something simple, but powerful: “You are enough”. That message stayed with me. I realised that I do not need to punish myself with food rules- maybe I just needed to treat myself with more kindness.
I also discovered intermittent fasting, and that was another turning point. At first I couldn’t believe I could skip breakfast. But I realised something surprising – I wasn’t actually hungry in the morning. I had just been eating out of habit. Now I usually eat my first meal at around 11 a.m., and the space in the morning gives me time to think more clearly about food. I plan ahead. I think about what will really nourish me for the rest of the day.
Most days I start with something fresh and satisfying – either a colourful, rich salad with lots of veggies or a big bowl of fruit. But I also don’t avoid foods I used to label as “bad”. If I make a nice focaccia with my kids, I’ll have some too. I just eat with more balance and awareness – and because my window eating is shorter, I naturally don’t eat as much as before. I enjoy what I eat without guilt.
I am still earning, I am far from perfect. But I no longer live in a constant battle with food.
Now I eat with more intension, less shame and a lot more peace.