Week 5: Breakthrough The Shit - If You Want Different, You Need To Do Different

Old habits die hard. 

And when it comes to diet culture, most of us have some really, really, really old habits. 

These habits are so deeply ingrained that they happen without conscious thought. 

• Cooking foods in calorie-free spray instead of oil or butter. 

• Choosing the “low-fat” cheese. 

• Drinking water in response to hunger. 

• Intentionally eating less when you don’t work out.

• Skipping lunch before a holiday dinner.

• Using smaller bowls and platters to “control” your portions.

• Not eating bread with dinner if we know we’re going to have some pie for dessert. 

I could keep going, but by now, I think most of you have a good grasp on what these habits are for you. 

Self-awareness is a great first step, but simply knowing that our habits are rooted in diet culture won’t change them. 

That’s why week 5 is all about making a change.

Introducing Week 5: Breakthrough the $h*t — if you want different, you need to do different.

Change is an active process. And if you want different results, you need to do things differently. Over and over and over again.

There are probably a million and two things you want to change now that you’ve recognized all the ways in which diet culture is showing up for you. 

And while we want you to eventually break through alllllll the shit…before I continue, I need you to know this:

YOU CAN DO IT ALL, BUT YOU CAN’T DO IT ALL AT ONCE.

So this year, we’re challenging you to make a change.

• To eat the pumpkin pie that you haven’t eaten in years.

• To take seconds even if you’re the only one.

• To move if you want or rest if you don’t.

• To resist picking apart your body down when everyone else is putting theirs down. 

We talk a lot more about the specifics of how to choose your change in this week’s podcast episode, and how to set realistic goals around it. But all we want you to do is make a change. One change. One small change to start. Because small changes, one at a time, again and again, add up. Whatever you choose is up to you. But whatever it is, we recommend it being something meaningful and achievable. 

This week we also talk about a whole slew of things that you can do to make a change.

We break things down into pre-, during, and post- festivities to help you break through the shit at any stage of the game. Some of the tips we explore include:

• Keeping all foods “on” limits

• Eating regular meals and snacks the day of any celebration

• Using normal talk around food

• Going for seconds

• Taking leftovers home with you

• Getting up and eating breakfast the next day, no crash workout or cleansing necessary. 

Doing the work is HARD. Really, really hard. It’s scary. You might feel out of control. You may feel guilt. You may feel shame. You may feel judgment. And you may feel dozens of other really uncomfortable emotions. AND, it’s possible. Very possible. And worth it. So worth it.

We can’t wait to continue the conversation during this week’s group call, which will be moved to Tuesday, November 24th at 8 pm EST. 

As always, we’re still looking to answer your questions! If you have any questions you want us to answer on an upcoming episode, CLICK HERE and submit them! 

Gang, we’re here to support you this holiday season -- we’ve got:

• A new podcast episode this week for practical tools, tips, food for thought (best served along with the food you’re enjoying this holiday season).

• The private group in our online community for questions, venting, advice, and more

• The BALG Instagram page for journal prompts to learn, reflect, and grow

• Connect with me here on my Instagram page if you’re looking for more on your journey towards ditching diet culture.

And if you haven’t yet, join our online community where we post the weekly journal prompts, share our a-ha moments, listen to our struggles, give advice, celebrate our wins, support each other every step of the way. It truly is a special corner of the internet. GET IN HERE! 

Let’s do it!!!

-Kayla