Abolishing Food Rules pt2

When last I left you, I asked you to consider the power that food may hold over you and what you can do to change that.

Reader, I’m here to tell you that you will also need some help. Whatever plan you may have considered, find someone to help you with it. You’ll need accountability and maybe you’ll also need some guidance too. Someone who’s walked that path and can show you the way.

Today I’ll continue my discussion on rules related to eating to discuss helpful boundaries related to food. Note the difference: I want you to rid yourself of rules and consider what boundaries you may benefit from. Rules are hard and fast. Rules invoke certain emotions. Boundaries are helpful and lead to freedom free from shame or hurt. .

I cannot think of establishing boundaries without remember Cloud and Thompson’s book Boundaries. It’s been a while since I’ve read it, but they use an illustration that has never left me. They tell of a preschool playground near a busy road. They describe all of the fun attributes of this playground- swings, slides, see-saws, etc but explain that no kids are using the fun equipment. Instead they are playing in the mulch near the teachers. See this playground does not have a fence around it, and the children- knowing the dangers of the busy road- do not enjoy using equipment so near the road. The illustration continues with the school installing a fence around the playground and children running, chasing, and using every inch of the safe, fenced in, play area. Clear, established boundaries lead to freedom.

So then, if we are to get rid of established rules that are not helpful or beneficial. How do we know what are helpful and beneficial boundaries that can lead to being freely nourished??

This is where you’ll need some time to reflect and consider and probably someone to help you work through this. Ask: If I break this rule do I feel shame? If the answer is yes, it’s probably a unnecessary food rule you need to let go of. If I follow this rule do I feel satisfied and free? probably a helpful boundary.

Let’s get specific. In my last post, I mentioned some common food rules that many of us were taught growing up so I’m not going to reiterate those now. Instead, let’s focus on helpful boundaries. A helpful boundary could be I know I feel less stressed when I plan my meals ahead of time. or When my snacks include both protein and carbohydrates, I feel more satisfied and have a clear head to consider my next meal.

Do you see how those are boundaries put in place to help you think more clearly and levelheaded about nourishing yourself? Another helpful boundary: I love this piece of cake I’m eating, but the specialness is started to fade, so I’m going to save some of this so I can enjoy it tomorrow too.

These subtle, nuanced differences are there to be helpful and lead to freedom and enjoyment. Instituting boundaries around food should not lead to shame, but joy. Let that guide your thoughts when you consider your opinions about food.

Want to learn more about how to implement this? Are you ready to make change but this seems too overwhelming? Contact Elizabeth today to change your life.