What you’re saying may be sabotaging your health goals
Reframing our language
The ‘diet culture’ is pervasive, kind of like the English ivy that has taken over my neighbor’s tree – it’s slowly killing it. Dead, choked branches falling off each year. As health and wellness coaches, we are here to question the buzzwords and phrases that keep us stuck in the diet mentality and not moving our health forward. They are so embedded in our everyday language that we don’t think twice about them. We want to bring more awareness to them in hopes that it will get you to ask deeper questions about what truly matters to you (not just the number on the scale or what size you wear).
First things first.
Notice. Check in with the language you are using.
Any of these phrases sound familiar?
- eating clean
- cheat day
- treating myself
- guilt-free
- guilty pleasure
- empty calories
- fattening
- being good
- should or shouldn’t eat
Reframe
Next time you say, “I can’t, I’m on a diet” – we urge you to reframe your thinking and start saying things like –
- no thank you – that food doesn’t make me feel good
- no thank you – the energy zap that gives me isn’t a good trade
- no thank you – if I do, my sleep tonight will be all wonky
- yes please, it’s wonderful to share this homemade piece of cake with you
- yes please, I appreciate all the love you put into this food we can share together
What words and phrases keep you stuck? Are there messages from magazines, billboards, your neighbor, your grandmother, your best friend that influence your food language? And to be real, we get stuck in the language too. We aren’t perfect – nor do we have expectations that you will be either. We also don’t judge – that’s another slippery slope we all can let go of (read more on that here https://nourishcoaches.com/judgment-is-a-curious-thing/).
The reason we are talking about this very important topic of ‘diet mentality’ is because it takes practice to unwind the habitual language and feelings that are attached to it all. How many years have you been using diet language?
The number one idea we want to share is: notice the language – both spoken and running through your mind. Then, gently and with compassion, practice words to reframe how you really want to commit to your health journey.
- strong
- kind
- vibrant
- nourishing
These words send a totally different vibe to your whole body. And as we continue to use these kinds of high vibrational words, our actions will begin to shift. Try it this weekend and let us know how it goes. If this resonates for you and you want to talk more about it, connect with us for one-to-one coaching or join one of our upcoming groups.
