Embracing Self-Love & Food Balance – My Journey Begins Here

Hi, MyFitnessPal community! 👋

I’m excited to share my journey and connect with others who may be on a similar path. My name is Hannah, and I’m here with some deeply personal goals tied to health, self-love, and a renewed relationship with food and fitness.

My Journey So Far
I've had a complex relationship with food and fitness for a long time. Food has often been my go-to comfort, a way to fill emotional gaps or temporarily numb difficult feelings. For years, I used food to escape emotions instead of facing them head-on. I've recently recognized that this was my way of coping, but I’m ready to start healing the underlying patterns and set myself on a more positive path.

In the past, I've also struggled with consistency in fitness and sometimes saw exercise as a form of punishment rather than something empowering or grounding. Now, my mission is to transform this mindset by cultivating a balanced, kind approach to both food and exercise.

My Goals
Here’s what I hope to achieve over the next year:

Weight Loss & Physical Health: I have a specific target of losing 30 kg, not only for my physical appearance but for my overall health, confidence, and energy. I know it’s ambitious, but I believe that with determination, support, and a steady plan, I can get there.

Improving My Relationship with Food: My biggest aim is to nurture a balanced approach to eating. I want to move away from food as a coping mechanism and instead see it as a source of nourishment, fuel, and even enjoyment! This shift is at the core of my journey.

Self-Love & Body Confidence: One of my most significant realizations is that I need to be kinder to myself and my body. It’s easy to fall into patterns of criticism, especially with physical appearance, but I’m working on replacing self-judgment with compassion.

Building a Supportive Routine: I know consistency will be the key to seeing the changes I desire, and I’m committed to establishing a balanced routine. I want to make space for regular movement and workouts and explore new forms of exercise that resonate with me. I've realized that one of my core beliefs is that “I hate exercise,” so I’m looking forward to shifting this mindset into something more positive and enjoyable.

How I’m Approaching Food Now
Recognizing my patterns has been eye-opening. I’ve noticed that I often eat to numb or escape certain emotions, and sometimes I end up punishing myself through restrictive cycles. My approach now is to become more mindful of these habits and replace them with better ones.

Mindful Eating Practices: I’m starting to slow down and check in with myself before eating, focusing on my emotional state and hunger level. This practice is helping me understand my true needs.

Healthy Substitutions: I’m working on finding healthy and fulfilling substitutes for the foods that typically become comfort food. I don’t want to restrict myself to the point of feeling deprived, so finding satisfying alternatives has been rewarding.

Moderation, Not Restriction: In the past, I’ve tried to go “all or nothing,” but I know this time I want to avoid extremes. I’m focusing on balance and giving myself room for indulgence without guilt.

Exercise & Fitness Goals
Fitness has often been daunting for me, and I used to struggle with feeling intimidated or defeated by it. My relationship with exercise is still evolving, and I hope to explore what genuinely feels good for me rather than focusing on what I “should” do. Right now, I’m open to finding new activities that I enjoy and that make me feel strong and capable.

Setting Achievable Targets: I’m focusing on small, consistent goals rather than massive jumps that I can’t sustain. This could mean starting with short, daily walks and gradually increasing my activity levels.

Rediscovering Movement as Enjoyable: My aim is to view exercise as a form of self-care and release, not punishment. I want to discover forms of movement that resonate with me, whether it’s yoga, weight lifting, or even dance. I’m here to explore and try new things until I find what I love.

The Bigger Picture
My journey isn’t just about weight loss or physical appearance. It’s about transforming my relationship with food and my body, creating a life where I feel empowered, confident, and fulfilled. I want to feel a deep sense of pride in the way I care for myself, and that starts with being consistent and gentle with my progress. Self-love and acceptance are at the center of my journey, and I’m looking forward to sharing the ups and downs along the way.

Seeking Support & Accountability
I know that this journey will have challenges, and I believe that having a community to lean on will make all the difference. So, I’m here to share my wins, struggles, and reflections, and I would love to connect with others who can relate or are working toward similar goals. If you’re on a journey to reconnect with yourself, build healthier habits, or simply embrace a more positive way of living, I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading, and here’s to embracing our health journeys, one step at a time