311: Changing My Mindset with Food
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Today’s topic is a really vulnerable and honest one and I’ve been sort of hesitant to cover it. But while putting yourself out there like this is a little scary, it’s been impacting my life so much that I wanted to share in hopes it might help and encourage someone else.
In this episode, Jesse and I sit down and talk about my journey of changing my mindset around food and the major shifts that I have experienced in the last few weeks. I talk about why I signed up with a dietitian (it’s fully covered by insurance for me and most people!) and what I thought I would get out of it and how it’s completely not panned out like I thought!
During my first session, I had some pretty big “a-ha” moments as the dietitian challenged some of my long-held beliefs. She asked me a lot of questions and then explained to me that in eating too few calories for years, especially while under immense physical and emotional stress, I have actually been hurting my body.
I discuss how, over the following weeks, I really struggled to increase my calorie intake, as it felt like “too much food” after restricting for so long and I was scared. I went through a period of intense anxiety and stress as the weight didn’t immediately come off, and I ultimately realized that I needed to break free from this unhealthy mindset and get rid of the scale altogether.
I am now focusing on nourishing my body and listening to my hunger cues rather than obsessing over macros or calories. I have experienced a new freedom and energy, I’m working through and processing so much, and I hope to break this cycle for my kids and set an example of true health and wholeness!
This is just the beginning of my journey, but I am so excited to continue to heal and share the process transparently!
In This Episode
[0:36] – I am discussing my as of yet unhealed struggles with food.
[2:24] – Hear how I discovered a dietitian service covered through insurance, prompting some clarity around my health goals.
[9:08] – Despite years of dieting, I couldn’t lose the last five pounds after my fourth pregnancy.
[11:18] – Repeated dieting and surprise pregnancies left my body stressed and resistant to weight loss.
[14:07] – Parenting, fostering, writing books, and business pressures overwhelmed me physically and emotionally.
[17:46] – Realizing that my chronic stress and calorie deficit was damaging me, I began increasing my calorie intake.
[20:00] – Although I was encouraged to eat more, I initially struggled emotionally when weight loss didn’t immediately follow.
[21:27] – Hear how I realized that my unhealthy fixation on weight was an addictive, joyless pursuit of external validation.
[24:17] – I reflect on how I clung to the scale for validation, not realizing how deeply it controlled my self-worth.
[25:14] – Jesse and I discuss how I came to realize that true health isn’t about weight loss but about feeling nourished, energized, and balanced.
[28:58] – I realized that my obsession with the scale was mentally and physically harming me.
[31:37] – Not knowing my weight daily gave me relief and began to break toxic thought patterns.
[33:30] – Hear how I replaced obsessive food tracking with photo-based check-ins, allowing space for more intuitive eating.
[35:09] – Listening to my hunger cues and eating more gave me energy and modeled balance for my kids.
[38:12] – I express gratitude for my dietitian helping me launch a healing journey.
[40:13] – I now practice gratitude for my body’s function, rewiring thought patterns toward healing and self-love.
Links & Resources
My Completely Honest Experience With Nourish
Nourish – Hire a Registered Dietitian for $0 Out of Pocket!
Social Media
Crystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)
Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)
Crystal Paine on LinkedIn
Crystal Paine on Twitter
Crystal Paine on Goodreads
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Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group
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