I LOVE FOOD!

I’m not an expert on anything...

I’m not an expert on anything, other than myself and even then I’m still learning how to manage ME with better consistency on a daily basis.

One of the things I’ve struggled with the most in my life is my relationship with food. I recently learned, or better said is that I paid attention to the definition of bulimia.

This according to mayoclinic.org:

Bulimia nervosa

Overview

Bulimia (boo-LEE-me-uh) nervosa, commonly called bulimia, is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. People with bulimia may secretly binge - eating large amounts of food with a loss of control over the eating - and then purge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way.

To get rid of calories and prevent weight gain, people with bulimia may use different methods. For example, you may regularly self-induce vomiting or misuse laxative, weight-loss supplements, diuretics or enemas after bingeing. Or you may use other ways to rid yourself of calories and prevent weight gain, such as fasting, strict dieting or excessive exercise.

If you have bulimia, you’re probably preoccupied with your weight and body shape. You may judge yourself severely and harshly for your self-perceived flaws. Because it’s related to self-image - and not just about food - bulimia can be hard to overcome. But effective treatment can help you feel better about yourself, adopt healthier eating patterns and reverse serious complications.

I don’t know if technically I would have fit a clinical diagnosis of bulimia, I never made myself purge, but I definitely used every other way described to get rid of the calories. I’ve used a variety of things over my life time in an effort to “get rid of the calories” and it was deeply related to the shame in the self - image I held of myself.

I loved food. It was my escape, my unconditional, warm, loving embrace from Abuelita (grandmother), since childhood. I still love food! Is there anything better than a meal lovingly prepared and served to you by a loved one?

The problem was, I used food to fill the void, ease the stress, anxiety, sadness, anger, depression, the feeling of not being enough, not doing enough. I ate for fun, to relieve boredom or to escape from the perceived reality I lived in that I felt I could never escape from (that’s a post for another time). At my worst I’d eat my worries away with a large pizza, a gallon of ice cream, a soft drink or two, and maybe a light snack before bedtime like a cereal box of Cocoa Pebbles with pasteurized milk, (that’s right, a whole ass box). I’m not exaggerating. Unfortunately my wife could testify to this.

It’s been many years since those days, and I’ve struggled to change my behavior over the years. I began to exercise more frequently, running half-marathons, entering exercise boot camps of all types and have participated in a few martial arts, (I have a 1st degree black belt in karate, dabbled in some boxing and bjj and competed in my first - and last - Mauy Thai tournament just a couple of years ago).

And I’m still learning to master my relationship with food.

I’ve had multiple injuries, par for the course if you participate in those types of activities most would say. Maybe, but you’re definitely increasing your risk when you are in an excessively inflamed state from poor food choices and your body’s stress bucket is overflowing.

My healing path, both physical and spiritual, led me to the C.H.E.K. Institute where I’ve learned a comprehensive and balanced approach to health and fitness, a 1-2-3-4 step approach for long-term well-being. I’m more consistent today and at 47 years old I manage my old injuries not with any pharmaceuticals, but with a balanced view of food and a renewed sense of love for myself no matter what my current body-shape is like.

If you can relate to my story and need someone to work with you to help tackle your health challenges click the “Book A Consultation” button. It’s free. Let’s talk and see if this holistic approach resonates with you.

Stay tuned for the next blog post to find out more about simple things you can do to improve your relationship with food that have helped me.