When we are trying to eat better to fuel our body for better health, weight loss or for whatever reason, it can really bring us up against ourselves. There was a reason that you set about to make those changes. When you come against a challenge and decide to quit your own plan, consider who and what you are rebelling against.

Sometimes when we start to make a positive change in our lives, doubt surfaces. When we are faced with a challenging moment, that doubt can creep in and make us believe that it should be easier than it is. It can also make us believe it is too hard, not worth it, no one else is doing it, etc.

Who are you rebelling against? If you reconsider your why, that may give you a clue into if it is worth pushing yourself through. Change is challenging and uncomfortable. If you are losing weight for someone else, for example, that is something to note. There is a normal part of our growth when we can say no and do what we want instead. I would just make sure you don’t start eating poorly just to ‘teach that person a lesson.’ They are not going to suffer the way you will by eating poorly over a long period of time. Consider a middle ground that is WHAT YOU REALLY WANT.

One of the reasons that might come up that can also be around avoiding pain and discomfort is the YOLO movement. It has really made an impact on an entire generation. It is true, enjoy yourselves because you only live once; however, make sure it is for what you really want to be doing. Just like too much YOLO can put you into deep debt, the same is true for eating.

There is not a limit stopping you from gaining more and more weight, just as there isn’t a ‘looking after you’ limit for getting into debt. You can get into as much debt as they believe you are capable of paying off. Being mindful of the ways you are seeking pleasure and questioning why you are doing it, might help you make that connection for yourself. Are you rebelling against your true wishes or seeking immediate pleasure?

Our brains feed off seeking more rewards and pleasure. So, if you start eating for pleasure because you deserve to YOLO, your brain will eventually adapt to the amount that you are eating and need more to get the same feeling. It is similar with any addiction. Think about alcohol.

I would encourage you asking yourself, ‘What do I really want?’ Or, ‘What would I want for own daughter/son?’

What I am really trying to open you up to is the possibility of getting what you really want to meet needs rather than food, if it is not actual hunger. An example is high stress and change. Many times you will hear people say that they are so stressed out they need x food. Is that food really going to solve the real issue? I am not saying it is wrong, I am saying if it were someone you loved, wouldn’t you want them to relieve the actual stress?

I learned a bit about pain and pleasure associations from an all time favorite book of all time: The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg