Alive with pleasure - Free from food

Apparently, there is a built-in paradox within this statement. After all, we must eat in order to live; our bodies must have food in order to function. So, what we do mean when we say, "live our lives free from food?"

Let us first try to define what we mean by the word "freedom" and what does this mean?

According to the dictionary, the word freedom means: "freedom, pertaining to those individuals who enjoy personal liberty, exempt from work or specific obligation."

And the word free means: “As free individuals, released, exempt from work, not under the influence of exte al pressure, enjoying freedom of movement, exempt from tax or a specific obligation, free from pressures, calm."

The term "freedom of choice" is defined as, "a perspective whereby the individual is able to freely choose his own way in life."

"To be free" from "food and eating" can be interpreted as follows:

-"Giving yourself a license to eat." That is to say, transforming eating into something "legal" and enjoyable! Without feelings of guilt

-Freedom from the non-stop pre-occupation with food, planning the next meal, one's weight and exte al appearance

-Release from the battle with food, eating and weight.

-There is no forbidden—you can eat everything!

-When you are not hungry you do not think about food

The result of being free from food can also find expression in the fact that the relationship between food and the body has changed.

There is a befriending with the body with which you were born, an appreciation, a respect. Likewise, there is a befriending with the person who you are, and with this new recognition of ourselves, there develops an appreciation and respect for who we are.

How can we be free in general, and in particular free from food?

1. Positive, encouraging and supportive belief —in your ability and strength to create a new reality in your life and to change that which causes you difficulty and suffering.

2. To consciously stop our pre-occupation with "what should happen" and "how should things happen," and to simply recognize the facts before our eyes and deal with them, even if they are not to our liking or are not compatible with our own desires at that very moment.

3. To free ourselves from trying to make our environment satisfactory, based on their expectations of me, from their definitions of myself, and to focus on listening to my internal voice.

4. Prevent comparisons—freedom from the struggle of opposing forces "If I compare myself to an image of how I want to look, I am trying to be better tha I am, in actuality. This desire creates an ete al conflict" (Jiddu Krishnamurti).

Choosing to befriend yourself and your body rather than the ete al comparison with the model on Channel E or the muscular model in the fashion magazine, that is a way to free yourself from the ete al conflicts that lead to the feeling that something inside of you is not good enough.

5. Silencing the incessant "noisy prattle" that "runs around in your mind" Our minds are busy most of the time. And, most of the time we are busy with "what was" or "what will be" and with "threatening scenarios" which doubtfully will be realized. Recognizing what is going on in our minds, and finding activities that will quiet these thoughts, will help you become free.