How I Ate Everything

By Jan Hauser
Weight Loss Coach, Personal Trainer Food

I have eaten through my entire life.

In the beginning, I ate to taste new things, to grow, to be a part of the peanut butter and jelly on white bread group at the lunch table.

When we were poor and I was a homeless child, I ate to feed my malnourished body, to fill the void in my gut, to have enough until the next meager food bank meal came along.

As the years passed, (and as I was able to) I ate more.

I ate for comfort, solace, hope and peace.

I ate at celebrations, for happiness, and to mark the high points of my life.

I ate because I loved those foods, they defined me. Who am I without chocolate? I love chocolate.

I ate sugar. Because I could.

I ate more because I couldn’t stand how my body looked and felt. I was so sick.

I ate to squelch anger, frustration and even hate.

I ate to cover up the bitter taste of rejection, defeat, disappointment, sadness.

I ate to find flavor again after losses, death and grief.

I sometimes didn’t eat for all the reasons above. Then I would eat again until I felt like I was going to explode. I would stop. Just long enough for the discomfort to pass and then I would eat again.

I ate my way through a size 6 to a tight size 22.

Then I ate my way down to a size 4, meal by meal; one good choice after another every few hours.

I still eat. That is why I am still a size 4. Food is wonderful. You should eat foods you enjoy, that can fuel, heal and sustain your body as you go through your life. The key is that I realized that I was not being true to myself by using food as a way to deal with my emotions. It did take courage to face my demons straight on rather than feed them, but today I am healthier and happier for it.

Feed your body right, feed your mind right. Personal Trainer Food can help you do that, and our Weight Loss Coaches can help you find true success and victory in your journey today.

Get the RIGHT foods you need to get (and keep) the body of your dreams.

About the Writer: 100 pounds ago, Jan knew what it is like to be obese, unhappy, and stuck. She has spent the last 17 years as a fitness writer, trainer, yoga teacher, and Weight Loss Coach. Today, she’s proud to be a part of the Personal Trainer Food team so she can continue her goal to help others live their fullest lives possible.