Breaking Free from the Diet Roller Coaster: My Journey to Mindful Eating and Movement

For over 30 years, I was trapped in the relentless cycle of dieting, struggling with the toxic influences of diet culture, negative body image, and the pressures of exercise culture. This trifecta led me into a whirlpool of disordered eating, which disrupted my natural ability to listen to my body’s needs and damaged my relationship with food and movement.

The wake-up call came during a family ski trip around the New Year. With my journal in hand, I poured out my frustrations, particularly about what I perceived as an addiction to sugar. After years of restrictive diets, I realized that it wasn’t sugar I was addicted to—it was dieting itself. My relationship with food needed a complete overhaul.

Inspiration

Determined to break free, I searched for something I hadn’t tried yet. Inspired by the story of two alcoholics who founded Alcoholics Anonymous, I sought out a supportive community. That’s when I discovered The Eating Disorder Foundation, a nonprofit offering weekly support groups for those struggling with disordered eating.

As a yoga teacher and someone who was seen as health-conscious, it was challenging to openly discuss my binge-eating behaviors. Yet, attending these groups helped me confront the shame and embarrassment that had long kept me silent. The real turning point came when I discovered Lynn Rossy’s research and course on Mindful Eating. This program, deeply rooted in mindfulness, offered a path aligned with my goal of living a more present and mindful life.

Turning Points

Taking Lynn’s Eat for Life course marked a significant shift. It provided a safe space for me to explore not just my relationship with food but also with exercise. As a child, I loved moving—whether it was riding my bike, swimming, or flipping on monkey bars. But as an adult, my relationship withmovement became tainted by the “no pain, no gain” mentality, leading me to push through injuries in my yoga practice just to burn calories.

It wasn’t until I attended a yoga therapy workshop in my 40s that I began to slow down and reflect on what I was doing to my body. The more-is-better mindset had taken a toll on me, and it was time to question what truly constituted healthy movement. I reconnected with the joy of movement I had experienced as a child, rediscovering the pleasure of moving slowly through practices like qigong.

Freedom

Today, I eat what I’m hungry for, enjoying the freedom of celebrating and savoring my food without restrictions. A pivotal moment for me was attending a potluck where I proudly declared that I had no food restrictions—a liberating experience born from seeking support and embracing mindful eating.

Now, I’m honored to teach qigong at the Eating Recovery Center in Denver, where I work with children, teens, and adults who rediscover the joy of movement. They love gathering the Qi with me, and I see the joy on their faces as they move for fun, not because they’re being pushed by a coach.

Lynn Rossy’s mentorship in the Eat for Life course has been life-affirming. I’m grateful for the opportunity to pass on the joyous lessons of how to bring pleasure back into eating and moving again. Breaking free from the diet roller coaster has transformed my life, and I’m here to help others do the same.

Join me in building a community that is changing the narrative around food, bodies, and eating. My goal is to help you develop a more mindful relationship to your body, food, and your life.

Learn more about how the Eat for Life Guided and Online Course can transform your life. New course starting September 9, 2024.