What are you consuming?

I am no fan of that old saying "You are what you eat." It's judgmental, inequitable, and unjust. But I do believe that we are significantly influenced by what we consume. And I'm not even talking about food here.

Many of us are consuming images and words and messages about food, about eating, about our bodies, and about our basic worth and they influence how we eat, feel, and live. Many of the things we consume make us doubt ourselves, mistrust our bodies, question our judgment about eating and moving and just living our lives.

Neuroplasticity tells us that we can change the thoughts we think by paying attention, by noticing habitual ways of thinking and course correcting. One further thing to pay attention to when changing our thoughts is what we are consuming - consciously and unconsciously - through social media; through the implicit messaging in books, magazines, movies, etc.; through the words of friends and family; through the guidance of healthcare practitioners; even through our own internal soundtrack.

As we careen toward the end of this roller coaster of a year, consider asking yourself "What am I consuming?" and "How does it make me feel about food, eating, and my body?" Are there social media accounts you would benefit from unfollowing? Are there others that would nourish your heart, mind, and body?

Are there people in your life who make you feel 'less than?' How could you erect and defend boundaries with those folks in a way that is empowering and infused with self-love? Could you call out the implicit messaging in books and movies and other places to name the harm they do and perhaps vote with your wallet in terms of what to support?

Remember, don't take this on as your full responsibility. You wouldn't have to do this work if the toxic diet culture didn't exist and make us all sick and insane. But taking an inventory of and changing what you consume with your eyes, ears, and brain can help you take your power back and re-establish yourself as the expert of YOU!