Because “listen to your body” left me heavier, unhappier, and more confused than ever.

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted here—okay, more like four years—but I’ve never stopped thinking about the women who’ve followed this blog, trusted me as a coach, or found a little comfort in knowing they weren’t alone in their health journey.

So, let’s catch up. Because a lot has changed.

When you last saw me, I was deep in the world of intuitive eating. After years of diet rules, calorie counting, carb cycling, and chasing smaller pant sizes, intuitive eating was the answer to unlearning all of that. I gave myself permission to eat without judgment. I broke up with MyFitnessPal and my scale. I honored my cravings. And I began healing my relationship with food while unpacking the mental weight I’d been carrying from years of diet culture.

And for a while, it felt amazing.

Until… it didn’t

When Intuitive Eating Left Me Feeling Worse

Over time, I gained weight. My clothes didn’t fit. I had less energy. I had acne breakouts on my chin and felt uncomfortable in my own skin. And while I told myself I was being kind and gentle with my body, it didn’t feel kind to wake up every day out of alignment with who I wanted to be.

I kept waiting for intuitive eating to work. But what does that even mean?

Was I healing? Or just ignoring what my body truly needed?

I Swung Too Far—and It Backfired

Looking back now, I can see it clearly. I went from being hyper-disciplined with food to having no structure at all. And that pendulum swing—like most extremes—wasn’t healthy or sustainable.

As a Certified Health Coach and Nutritionist, I knew better. I specialize in cognitive behavioral change. I teach balance. But somehow, I had convinced myself that any intentional weight loss was toxic, and any structure was restriction. But that type of thinking is just as toxic. Science has proven that lowering your weight can have significant health benefits.

Diet Culture Didn’t Work. Neither Did Intuitive Eating. I’m Choosing a Smarter Way

I’m not here to bash intuitive eating or anyone who takes a mindful eating approach. It helped me heal my relationship with food and body image in ways traditional dieting never could. But taken to the extreme, it stopped serving me. Just like diet culture did.

I now believe the healthiest approach lies somewhere in the happy medium.

So What Am I Doing Instead?

I’ve created my own approach—one that pulls from the most effective, science-backed strategies of both intuitive eating and dieting.

✅ From intuitive eating, I keep:

• Respecting hunger and fullness cues
• Rejecting shame around food choices
• Prioritizing mental and emotional health
• Find joy in movement

✅ From dieting, I apply:

• High-protein
• High-fiber
• Gentle calorie deficit for fat loss (without obsession)
• Hydration
• Strength training

I’m Teaching Women Over 40 How to Do the Same

Women over 40 are often told it’s either strict dieting or surrender. But that’s a lie. You can feel good in your body and protect your mental health. You can lose weight and still eat foods you love. You can set goals without falling into extremes.

This isn’t about six-packs or starvation. It’s about confidence, consistency, and feeling like you again.

If you’re stuck between the all-or-nothing trap of dieting vs intuitive eating, you’re not alone. I’ve lived both sides. And I’ve come out the other side with something better—balance.

This Is the New Chapter

This post marks a turning point for me—and for this website. I’m no longer anti-diet or all-in on intuitive eating. I’m here for what actually works for individual bodies and holistic wellness.

So if you’ve been feeling lost in the gray area between structure and freedom, between body goals and self-love, I want you to know: there’s a better way.

Welcome to the happy, healthy middle. Somewhere between a donut and kale.

Let’s go!

To learn more about my healthy lifestyle, be sure to follow me on TikTok @loveyourself2healthy.