Thank you so much for this. I struggle with this so much. As a health nut I tend to get over obsessive with trying to do everything perfectly. Love this
This resonated deeply with me. I was on that same crazy train of health obsession to the point of starving myself in to hypothyroidism for the sake of being thin. I worked out too much, ate too little, fretted over sleep scores to the point of insomnia and shrank myself in to a size I wasn’t even comfortable in. I suffered panic attacks, and was obsessed with food, my body and brain trying desperately to coax me in to eating enough to fuel my needs. Through all that, I was constantly being told how fabulous I looked and it was all so confusing and sad. Didn’t I look fabulous before all this? How can I look fabulous when I’m such a wreck inside? Our society values thinness so much that people are willing to compromise their health to fit some ridiculous ideal. When I finally was so exhausted from this rigid lifestyle, I had to just let go and stop everything. I gained weight, but I also got my life back, I sleep peacefully, my mental health is solid and I’m far happier. Being healthy is a metric that looks different for everyone, but the pursuit of thinness for societal value is a silent killer that needs to be exposed.
The essence of Buddhist practice is living in the truth that human suffering exists only in the gap between the way we want things to be and the way they actually are. Acceptance of the way things are is not defeat, it’s an empowering surrender. Glad to hear your story and best of luck staying aware. It’s tricky, for sure.
Though I never took it to the extremes you have, I know the cycle of indulging in things that are deemed unhealthy, followed by that voice of regret…or the recurring question if this time I favored weight
I like the quintessence that getting off your health track can be a good thing, especially while being more social and not stressing out over being imperfect
This was such a breath of fresh air! I’m studying nutrition and it’s so easily to over analyse your own health and lifestyle and be restrictive without realising. Still trying to find the balance 🙌
The problem is that we are bombarded with so much information as to what it good for us and what is not. It actually becomes paralyzing or is some cases harmful to our health. I was once in that same situation where I worried about everything when I started my nutrition and health changes but I soon came to realize, we can't do it all and have to live and have fun too. So if I want to have that margarita or that pizza I do because I know that for 80% of the time I so all the things to keep me as healthy as possible.
You pretty much summed up my health & food relationship evolution.
I've studied in the field for many years, but what's shaped me the most was my personal journey with it. Now, just like you, I'm most drawn to help with the part where we restore a 'normal' relationship with food. It's kind of like taking a step back from it all together.
It's still not something that's in my face nearly as much as the diet stuff. So you just shared an important story.
Thank you for this. I’ve struggled with obsessing about my health for so much of my life. I’ve known for a long time that my stress is probably the culprit behind a lot of my problems. I’m someone who stresses about stressing! This read was a breath of fresh air.
Also, sometimes I don't know how to take a step back and do breath work when I'm in a time crunch. How do you go about this? A lot of the time I tell myself I'm not stressed out but I think I hold a lot of underlying stress that is causing me all these gut problems, inflammation etc. How do I actually LET GO, even when it seems like my mind is racing about trying to be "healthy" all the time.
Just brilliant ! Thankyou for the sense of it!! Find the Balance! Dont feel guilty if you have a day or even Two of not drinking enough water , or drinking one too many glasses of wine! Mainly im doing really good, Im 80 years old but look 60 Im young at heart ,
Health is my Wealth , but also a joyous life is my Health , Anyway thankyou for this wonderful reminder I dont have to be PERFECT, !
Thank you so much for this. I struggle with this so much. As a health nut I tend to get over obsessive with trying to do everything perfectly. Love this
Such a timely and important post, especially in today's world of putting a wellness sticker on EVERY SINGLE THING!
This resonated deeply with me. I was on that same crazy train of health obsession to the point of starving myself in to hypothyroidism for the sake of being thin. I worked out too much, ate too little, fretted over sleep scores to the point of insomnia and shrank myself in to a size I wasn’t even comfortable in. I suffered panic attacks, and was obsessed with food, my body and brain trying desperately to coax me in to eating enough to fuel my needs. Through all that, I was constantly being told how fabulous I looked and it was all so confusing and sad. Didn’t I look fabulous before all this? How can I look fabulous when I’m such a wreck inside? Our society values thinness so much that people are willing to compromise their health to fit some ridiculous ideal. When I finally was so exhausted from this rigid lifestyle, I had to just let go and stop everything. I gained weight, but I also got my life back, I sleep peacefully, my mental health is solid and I’m far happier. Being healthy is a metric that looks different for everyone, but the pursuit of thinness for societal value is a silent killer that needs to be exposed.
The essence of Buddhist practice is living in the truth that human suffering exists only in the gap between the way we want things to be and the way they actually are. Acceptance of the way things are is not defeat, it’s an empowering surrender. Glad to hear your story and best of luck staying aware. It’s tricky, for sure.
What a relatable article
Though I never took it to the extremes you have, I know the cycle of indulging in things that are deemed unhealthy, followed by that voice of regret…or the recurring question if this time I favored weight
I like the quintessence that getting off your health track can be a good thing, especially while being more social and not stressing out over being imperfect
Great read
I needed this today man, thank you.
This was such a breath of fresh air! I’m studying nutrition and it’s so easily to over analyse your own health and lifestyle and be restrictive without realising. Still trying to find the balance 🙌
The problem is that we are bombarded with so much information as to what it good for us and what is not. It actually becomes paralyzing or is some cases harmful to our health. I was once in that same situation where I worried about everything when I started my nutrition and health changes but I soon came to realize, we can't do it all and have to live and have fun too. So if I want to have that margarita or that pizza I do because I know that for 80% of the time I so all the things to keep me as healthy as possible.
Such another good read.
You pretty much summed up my health & food relationship evolution.
I've studied in the field for many years, but what's shaped me the most was my personal journey with it. Now, just like you, I'm most drawn to help with the part where we restore a 'normal' relationship with food. It's kind of like taking a step back from it all together.
It's still not something that's in my face nearly as much as the diet stuff. So you just shared an important story.
I really keyed in on the word “rigid” — it is a slippery slope and I appreciate this article highlighting the downsides of such a rigid routine
Thank you for this. I’ve struggled with obsessing about my health for so much of my life. I’ve known for a long time that my stress is probably the culprit behind a lot of my problems. I’m someone who stresses about stressing! This read was a breath of fresh air.
Love the post, especially the part about mantras and trusting oneself to be able to handle the moment.
-- a grandpa-aged guy who makes funny noises
Also, sometimes I don't know how to take a step back and do breath work when I'm in a time crunch. How do you go about this? A lot of the time I tell myself I'm not stressed out but I think I hold a lot of underlying stress that is causing me all these gut problems, inflammation etc. How do I actually LET GO, even when it seems like my mind is racing about trying to be "healthy" all the time.
Just brilliant ! Thankyou for the sense of it!! Find the Balance! Dont feel guilty if you have a day or even Two of not drinking enough water , or drinking one too many glasses of wine! Mainly im doing really good, Im 80 years old but look 60 Im young at heart ,
Health is my Wealth , but also a joyous life is my Health , Anyway thankyou for this wonderful reminder I dont have to be PERFECT, !