If you find yourself obsessing over your caloric intake and portions every day, then SociEATy member Regina Black is here to offer some tips on how to sever that unhealthy obsession, the first one being to stop counting the darn calories! It takes time, as it did for Regina, but Regina and I both used to be obsessed with counting our calories every day, so if we were able to kick that habit, then so can you!

Regina shares her story of how she went from obsessively counting calories for every single meal and every single snack every single day to now not counting them at all and not feeling even the slightest bit of guilt over not counting. She also reassures those of you who might be new to eating intuitively that it's okay to feel guilty at first. Emotions like guilt and discomfort are natural and are signs that you're changing your lifestyle. Change can be scary but can also be good for us! No longer counting calories means that you're surrendering control over something and walking away from a coping mechanism. That is not easy to do but is so rewarding and fulfilling once you do!

We also discuss how important it is to remember that good things come to those who wait. Patience with yourself is so important on this journey because you can't unlearn things overnight that took years to learn in the first place, especially not when it comes to something as pervasive as diet culture. Once you reach the point at which you're comfortable no longer counting calories, you will realize that there is no need to be obsessing over calories because those numbers don't know you. Only your body knows you, and we have to listen to and trust our bodies. That is, after all, what it means to eat intuitively!

Be sure to get in touch with one or both of us and share your own thoughts and ideas about counting calories. We would love to hear from you!

 

Time Stamps

[1:27] – Colleen introduces this episode's guest, SociEATy member Regina Black, as well as this episode's topic - counting calories.

[2:17] – Regina offers us some background information about herself, such as her vocation and her history of obsessing over calories and nutrition.

[6:40] – Colleen reminds us that food obsessions often start at important milestones in our lives and that we need to recognize what else is going on in order to address our issues with food.

[9:07] – We learn that Regina's obsession with food stemmed from a need to have control over things in her life.

[11:28] – Regina talks to us about the guilt that set in as a result of counting calories every day and how that led to her changing her relationship with food.

[15:52] – Colleen comments on how the journey toward cutting calorie counting out of your life often takes time because it's hard to stop overnight.

[20:30] – Colleen enthuses over how experimenting is a pivotal part of breaking our food rules, and Regina talks about how experimenting leads toward enjoying food again.

[24:23] – Colleen diverts the conversation toward drinking calories, and Regina shares with us how she recently bought a Starbucks drink and had to overcome her fear of drinking calories.

[29:38] – We get advice from Regina about what to do if we are trying to stop counting calories mentally.

[34:25] – Regina offers reassurance to people who might be experiencing guilt about not counting calories and also offers her opinion about whether or not counting calories is ever beneficial.

[41:08] – Regina closes by offering three actionable steps that can be taken immediately to move toward stopping calorie counting.

 

Links and Resources

Colleen Christensen Nutrition – Website

The SociEATy – Website

Colleen's Instagram Page

The SociEATy's Instagram Page

Regina's Instagram Page