EP 221: Present Over Perfect ~ How Food Obsession Steals Your Life (& 4 Strategies to Get It Back)

In this powerful episode, Lindsey explores how eating disorders and food obsession act as "time thieves" and "energy vampires," stealing your presence from the moments and people that matter most. She shares the life-changing realization that when we don't sacrifice for what we ultimately want, we become the ultimate sacrifice - and our relationships pay the price. Key Takeaways 🎯 The Real Cost of Food Obsession Eating disorders aren't just about food - they're mental energy drains that steal your presence from your own lifeThe constant mental chatter about food planning, guilt, and rules exhausts you before your day even beginsYour pursuit of food perfection is sacrificing your ability to be fully present with the people you love 💡 The Sacrifice Revelation "If you don't sacrifice for what you ultimately want, then you become the ultimate sacrifice." What you ultimately want: Connection, presence, energy for what matters, peace of mindWhat's actually being sacrificed: Time with your spouse, conversations with your kids, your ability to be fully present in your own life 🔄 The Present Over Perfect Shift Your family doesn't need a perfect you - they need a present you. Stop waiting to be worthy of love when you "figure out" the food thing. You're worth loving right now, struggles and all. 4 Practical Strategies to Reclaim Your Presence Strategy #1: The 3-Second Check-In Throughout your day, pause and ask: "Where is my mind right now?"If caught in food thoughts during important moments, simply notice without judgmentAsk: "What would it look like to be fully here right now?" Strategy #2: The Energy Audit Track for one day how often you catch yourself in food-related thoughtsMake a mark on your phone each time you're planning, worrying, calculating, or obsessing about foodCount them at day's end - this is how much life force is being redirected from what matters Strategy #3: The Presence Practice Choose one meal/snack daily to eat with complete presencePut phone away, don't plan next meal, ignore calorie countingFocus on taste, texture, satisfaction - practice being fully there Strategy #4: The Connection Redirect When spiraling into food thoughts, immediately reach out to someone you loveText your teenager, call your spouse, hug your petRedirect mental energy toward connection instead of obsession Real-Life Application: The Dinner Table Revolution Make dinner time device-free AND food-rule-free for your mind: No mental calorie counting or meal planning during family timeAsk about everyone's day and really listenShare something about your day unrelated to foodPractice being completely present with your family This Week's Homework Choose one person in your life and commit to being fully present with them for at least 10 minutes every day: Morning coffee with your spouseAfter-school time with your childPhone call with a friend or family memberNo phone, no food thoughts, no mental planning - just you, fully there Episode Quotes "Every moment you spend obsessing about food is a moment you're not fully living your life." "Your kids don't need a perfect mom. Your spouse doesn't need a perfect partner. They need YOU. Present, engaged, fully there YOU." "You are not your thoughts about food. You are a woman with purpose, with love to give, with a life that's happening right now." Resources & Next Steps Join Our Community Her Best Self Society - Our private community where women support each other in choosing present over perfect every day. Stay Connected Visit www.herbestself.co to join our email list and be the first to know about upcoming events and services. Remember Stop sacrificing your presence for the pursuit of perfection. Your people need you here. Your life needs you here. You deserve to be fully present for your own beautiful, imperfect, real life. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who needs to hear this message. Together, we're choosing presence over perfection, one moment at a time. xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application ______ Email me directly -> [e-mail] ______ Join the free FB community -> www.herbestselfsociety.com ______ Need a helping hand guiding you girl!? You don’t have to do this alone! Step 1: Go all IN! Decide to commit to yourself & your future! Do it scared girlfriend. Just do it! Step 2: Apply for limited 1:1 & let’s work together -> Client Application Step 3: Leverage the FB community for support & stay tuned for all the resources up & coming to help serve you! YOU TOTALLY GOT THIS! * While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.