My Story: Finding Peace with Food Through Mindful Eating

May 14

I’ve never shared this publicly before, and it’s not easy. Writing about my struggles with body image and bulimia means facing a part of myself I kept hidden for years. I’m sharing it now because I know many of you—women who’ve juggled careers, families, and life’s ups and downs—might relate. You may carry doubts about your body or feel disconnected from food. My story is about how I found peace through mindful eating, and I hope it helps you take a step toward healing, too.

It started early, around 12 or 13, when people called me “chubby.” Those comments stuck, fueling an obsession with my weight. I was active—swimming, running, playing badminton and volleyball, teaching fitness classes by 16—but I couldn’t stop comparing myself to others. Growing up in the 80s, before social media, spared me some pressure, but every remark from family or friends hit hard. Looking at old photos now, I see a healthy, fit girl, not “chubby.” It hurts that I didn’t see her then.

At 17, college felt like chaos. I was young, directionless, and alone. Food, always framed as something to control in my world of salads and skim milk, became my comfort. I’d overeat, feel ashamed, and purge. Bulimia took hold quietly, then dominated. I skipped classes, barely passed, and pulled away from roommates who tried to help. Depression settled in, and food was my escape—until guilt brought it back up.

I kept teaching fitness classes, up to 22 a week at a women’s gym. The praise fed me as an empath, but one negative comment could spiral me back to binging and purging. I didn’t think it was a problem then. Now, I really feel for that young woman who felt so down and depressed.

Mark, my husband of 28 years, changed my path. From day one, he saw me as beautiful. His family showed me food could be joyful, not feared. They cooked with care, ate slowly, and balanced their choices. It was new to me, but unlearning years of guilt took time.

I don’t blame my family for my struggles. My mom, despite tough times, got me into sports, sparking my love for wellness. She stretched our budget to keep me active, and that foundation shaped who I am.

Admitting bulimia is tough. Writing it is tougher. But those hard years built me into someone who’s learned to be gentler with herself, day by day. I’m not perfect. I weigh more than I used to, but my mindset’s different. I breathe easier. I move with care-yoga, walks, golf. I lean on tools like mindfulness, journaling, meditation, and time with my family and dogs.

Mindful eating, above all, has been my lifeline, shifting food from guilt to nourishment.

That’s why I created Pause & Savour: A 21-Day Journey to Rediscover Mindful Eating. It’s my story turned into a guide for women like you who’ve fought body image battles or felt lost with food.

For a one-time $24.50 (50% off from $49), you get lifetime access to the guidebook (the 21 day challenge/recommendations, recipes, 21 mindful eating journal prompts and mandala colouring pages), five audio meditations, 365 journal prompts, a mindfulness quiz, and wallpapers. It’s about slowing down, savoring each bite, and reconnecting with yourself. (on checkout, use the promo code: PAUSE50)

You’ve carried so much. Maybe you still judge your body harshly. I understand. But you’re enough, just as you are. Mindful eating isn’t about being perfect; it’s about listening to your body and finding balance.

To opt-in and grab my full book, plus all the extras, CLICK HERE.