I started dieting when I was 13 years old without realising the negative impact it would have on me. For 20 long years, I struggled with hating myself, feeling unhappy with my body, and constantly trying to make myself smaller. But when I reached 33, I became exhausted and realised that this cycle couldn't continue. It was a tough journey to find self-acceptance and confidence in my body. It required therapy, self-reflection, and changing the way I think.

Letting go of diets and learning to love myself didn't happen overnight. It took a lot of effort and trying different healing practices. I went to therapy, attended retreats, read self-help books, and talked to other women who understood. I made a conscious effort to surround myself with positive messages on social media that focused on healing and accepting our bodies. I also explored my own beliefs and questioned them. I found peace through meditation, dance, singing, and allowing myself to cry when I needed to. Anger was also part of the process as I feared gaining weight while desperately seeking healing. It was a journey of transformation with many layers.

Years of dieting led to binge eating and an unhealthy obsession with food. I felt trapped and thought there was no solution. Change didn't happen overnight. It took about two and a half years of consistent effort and another two years of preparing my mind to see the beginning of real change within myself. And even now, almost five years later, the healing and growth continue. It's a gradual process of uncovering hidden truths, dealing with past experiences, and letting go of emotional baggage. Each step brings new insights and opportunities, but it requires patience, self-compassion, and facing discomfort along the way. It's important not to rush or have expectations about how long it should take.

Because of my strict dieting, I developed strong cravings for certain foods. Sweets, bread, pasta, and other delicious carbohydrates became irresistible. What I didn't realise was that my cravings were a direct result of my restrictive habits. I felt devastated and believed that a life of constant hunger and food obsession was inevitable. Every meal brought fear - fear of eating too much, fear of gaining weight, fear of undoing any progress. The binge episodes were followed by overwhelming guilt, and the cycle continued. I swung between extreme dieting and extreme overeating, without finding a middle ground. It was a vicious cycle without balance.

In the midst of this struggle, I came across a book that changed everything: "The F*ck It Diet." Combined with other tools and practices, it became a turning point. It opened my eyes to new possibilities and marked the beginning of my healing journey from binge eating and chronic dieting. At first, it made me angry and I couldn't believe what it was saying. The thought of letting go of everything I knew and giving up control just to find some sense of normalcy seemed impossible. Gaining weight was necessary, which terrified me. I had always focused on losing and controlling weight, never on gaining it. The fear of gaining weight consumed me. But I trusted the process eventually and let go of expectations, even though it was challenging.

Over the years my body had become my identity, tied to my self-worth. I pursued an unrealistic version of myself to fit society's standards of beauty. I believed that if I didn't meet those standards, I would be rejected and unsuccessful. Thinness seemed essential for success, reinforced by media that rarely showed larger bodies in a succesful light. I had to shift my focus to emotional healing and positive energy instead of solely my appearance. I projected my inner struggles onto my body, using weight control as a misguided way to gain control over my life. It backfired, leaving me disconnected and dissatisfied. It took time, reflection, and changing my perspective to realise that my body was never the problem. Society's definition of beauty and success needed to be challenged.

As I progressed on my healing journey, I peeled back the layers of conditioning that trapped me in self-hatred and restriction. I learned to embrace my curves, accept my natural body shape, and let go of unrealistic standards. It was a process of unlearning and changing my beliefs about beauty and self-worth. I started appreciating my body for its strength and the amazing things it allowed me to do. I looked in the mirror, really seeing and getting familiar with my appearance. I watched videos of myself at the gym from different angles that I used to consider unflattering, only to realise they were just unfamiliar. The mirror went from reflecting shame to reflecting strength and beauty.

My personal transformation ignited a passion within me to help others on their own journeys of self-acceptance and body confidence. I realised that I had a voice and a story that could inspire others to break free from diet culture and embrace their true selves. Through my words and actions, I aim to challenge societal norms, promote body diversity, and encourage self-love and acceptance. I want to empower women to care for their bodies without restrictions, focusing on overall well-being rather than just appearance. True beauty lies in embracing our uniqueness and loving ourselves unconditionally.

The journey to self-acceptance and body confidence is not straightforward. It requires patience, self-compassion, and a commitment to challenging harmful beliefs. My journey over three decades taught me that we don't have to conform to diet culture or society's narrow beauty standards. We have the power to embrace our bodies, love ourselves, and rise above limitations. So let's reject toxic messages and celebrate the diverse beauty within each of us. Remember, you are divine, and your journey to self-acceptance is a testament to your strength. Embrace it, live it, and let it shine for the world to see.

Let me help you,

Lyga