Eating to live vs. living to eat. First of all, food is more than fuel — it’s an experience. It is completely acceptable to find joy in eating! You are NOT a bad person for eating more than you “should.” And second of all, you might not be eating as much as you think you are.
In order for your body to eat, sleep, and breathe a woman needs at least 1200 calories. Yup, that’s right. Simply existing and functioning at a bare minimum requires a minimum of 1200 calories as an adult female. Interestingly enough, this is the same amount necessary for a developing 4 year old… If you’re reading this, then we’re willing to bet you’re older than a child.
You might be saying, “I’m so confused! What about all those diets that promise amazing results if you slash your caloric intake to 1200 calories, or less???” Well, we hate to be the bearer of bad news but those “experts” either don’t understand the body or don’t care about it (because they’re trying to sell you something).
Let’s diffuse the myths promoted by diet culture and spread some truth instead: Your body NEEDS calories, and it needs a lot MORE than you might assume. Especially if you’re physically active, nursing, stressed, etc. If you restrict your calories in an effort to lose weight, you will eventually plateau only to gain it all back and then some.
Dieting not only messes with your metabolism it also messes with your mind. You’ll start forgetting things, finding yourself struggling to stay focused and experiencing mood swings as well as anxiety/depression.
Your body is meant for more than simply existing, so eat.
You’re not a child, and you deserve to LIVE a life doing things that inspire you or bring you joy, not merely survive in an effort to shrink or disappear. That doesn’t serve anyone, least of all you.