An overdue conversation

A long time ago, I wrote a blog post about living a more healthy lifestyle. At the time it was Summer, I was on a big healing kick, and very excited about a new app and dieting system I’d just started.

I’m not going to say the name of the app, because I don’t want to get sued. I also want to point out that my opinions are my own, and this is all based on my own experiences. If you’ve used that app and it helped you, that’s fantastic.

That being said, I am really sorry that I ever recommended that app, and I hope none of you downloaded it. First of all, it was way too expensive for what I was getting. Second, it turns out calorie counting is bad for you.

I actually stopped using the app shortly after writing this post. I kept some healthy habits, though I’m bad at keeping up with them. But I gained some healthy habits after getting rid of that app.

I ate until I was full, and didn’t worry about the calories.

I got rid of my scale and measured my health based on how I felt.

I hadn’t even thought about this for years until I started hearing about the damage done to people with eating disorders by this app.

And I honestly feel so bad. The last thing I’ve ever wanted to do was hurt someone with advice. As someone who’s never had a serious eating disorder, I had no idea how much this could negatively impact someone.

Then I watched this episode of Some More News.

Then I watched this video with Micky Adkins.

I know better now, and I can do better now.

Yes, writers need to worry about our health. But, health means all your health, including emotional.

I am not the person to talk in-depth about this. I am a writer, not a therapist or a nutritionist. But here’s what I can tell you.

I feel a lot better since I’ve stopped counting calories and started eating what makes me feel good. I feel a lot better since I’ve thrown my scale away. I feel a lot better since I move my body in fun ways, like walking Oliver, instead of feeling like I have to do boring things I don’t want to do.

I planned this post for today for a very specific reason. We’re now smack dab in the holiday season. And that means food, less time, more activities, more family commitments, food, food, and more food.

It also means that some of us are going to be around people who want to give us their opinions on the food we are eating or not eating.

So this holiday season, I invite you to listen to your own body when it comes to food. Not your social media feed, not some app that tells you to only eat 1,500 calories. Not some judgemental mother-in-law. You are an adult. You know what food makes you feel good and what makes you feel sick. Honor yourself. You deserve to enjoy all of the lush, wonderful things the holidays offer. You deserve to eat when you’re hungry until you are full.

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