Changing My Mindset with Food
Today’s topic is a truly vulnerable and honest one which is why I have sort of been hesitant to cover it, but as difficult as it can be to really put yourself out there like this, it’s a really important topic. I, along with Jesse in the studio as well, am sharing my journey of changing my mindset around food and the major shifts that I have experienced in the last few weeks. After being approached by a company called Nourish that offered free access to a dietitian, I ultimately decided to give it a try.
Listen in as I share how, during my first session, I had some pretty big "a-ha" moments as the dietitian challenged some of my long-held beliefs about taking in fewer calories to lose weight, explaining to me that in eating too few calories for years, especially while under immense physical and emotional stress, I had actually been harming my body. This revelation truly shattered my dependence on the number on the scale as the sole indicator of my health.
I discuss how, over the following weeks, I really struggled to increase my calorie intake, as it felt like "too much food" after restricting for so long. I went through a period of intense anxiety and stress as the weight didn't immediately come off, and I ultimately realized that I needed to break free from this unhealthy mindset and get rid of my scale altogether.
I am now focusing on nourishing my body and listening to my hunger cues rather than obsessing over macros or calories. I have experienced a new freedom and energy, even on less sleep, and I hope to break this cycle for my kids and set an example of true health and wholeness!
I encourage others struggling in similar ways to act as if they are already healed. I, after all, am not on the other end of this yet and am still in the process. This is just the beginning of my journey, but I am so excited to continue to heal and share the process transparently!
In This Episode
[0:36] - I am discussing my as of yet unhealed struggles with food.
[2:24] - Hear how I discovered a free dietitian service through insurance, prompting some clarity around my health goals.
[6:07] - I was shocked to learn from my dietitian that I was under-eating, not over-eating.
[9:08] - Despite years of dieting, I couldn’t lose five pounds after my fourth pregnancy.
[11:18] - Repeated dieting and surprise pregnancies left my body stressed and resistant to weight loss.
[14:07] - Parenting, fostering, writing books, and business pressures overwhelmed me physically and emotionally.
[17:46] - Realizing that my chronic stress and extreme calorie deficit was damaging me, I began increasing my calorie intake.
[20:00] - Although I was encouraged to eat more, I initially struggled emotionally when weight loss didn’t immediately follow.
[21:27] - Hear how I realized that my unhealthy fixation on weight was an addictive, joyless pursuit of external validation.
[24:17] - I reflect on how I clung to the scale for validation, not realizing how deeply it controlled my self-worth.
[25:14] - Jesse and I discuss how I came to realize that true health isn’t about weight loss but about feeling nourished, energized, and balanced.
[28:58] - I realized that my obsession with the scale was mentally and physically harming me.
[31:37] - Not knowing my weight daily gave me relief and began to break toxic thought patterns.
[33:30] - Hear how I replaced obsessive food tracking with photo-based check-ins, allowing space for more intuitive eating.
[35:09] - Listening to my hunger cues and eating more gave me energy and modeled balance for my kids.
[38:12] - I express gratitude for my dietitian helping me launch a healing journey.
[40:13] - I now practice gratitude for my body’s function, rewiring thought patterns toward healing and self-love.
Links & Resources
Social Media
Crystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)
Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)
Crystal Paine on LinkedIn
Crystal Paine on Twitter
Crystal Paine on Goodreads
Money Saving Mom
Money Saving Mom on Facebook
Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group
crystal@moneysavingmom.com
