Every new year, as the clock strikes midnight, we make resolutions to change our habits, eat better and lose weight.
We often turn to the latest diet trends, hoping that, this time, we’ll find the answer.
But what if, instead of searching for the next diet, we focused on something deeper? What if we gave ourselves the space to truly understand our relationship with food and how this relationship might have been holding us back from achieving our health goals in the first place?
In 2025, it’s time to approach nutrition from a new perspective. Rather than another restrictive diet that promises results but leads to burnout, let’s take a step back and focus on the root cause of why we’ve struggled with food in the past.
When we try to force change through restrictive diets, we often end up right where we started — feeling frustrated, defeated and even ashamed. It’s not that we’ve “failed,” but rather, we’ve been trying to change the what (the food on our plates) without addressing the why (our mindset and emotional relationship with food).
True transformation comes from shifting our mindset around food, health and our bodies. It’s about unraveling the stories we’ve been told — the ones we’ve internalized about what we should eat, how we should look and how we should feel.
These stories, shaped by societal pressures, past experiences or even family dynamics, have a powerful hold on us. They often leave us feeling that our bodies are not worthy of health, energy or vitality.
But what if we approached this year with the intention to release those stories? What if we allowed ourselves to recognize and heal the emotional blocks that have kept us trapped in cycles of self-doubt and self-sabotage? When we start to understand the beliefs and feelings that underlie our habits, we finally can break free from diets that only offer temporary fixes and begin to build a sustainable, compassionate relationship with food — one that supports our bodies and our minds.
The journey to true health and vitality is about more than just changing the food you eat. It’s about cultivating a mindset that honors your body’s needs, respects its signals and nurtures its inherent worth. It’s about letting go of the perfectionist ideals and giving yourself permission to enjoy food without guilt or fear.
This year, make the resolution to get curious. Ask yourself, “What stories have I been telling myself about food and my body? What beliefs do I hold about my health and wellness? And how can I start shifting those narratives in a way that empowers me to make choices that truly nourish me — mind, body and soul?”
The road to better health is not a straight line, and there will be ups and downs. But by making a conscious choice to work on your relationship with food, you are setting yourself up for long-term success and a healthier, happier life.
Let 2025 be the year you finally release the diet mentality and step into a more balanced, authentic and empowered relationship with food and your body.
Bri Edwards is a holistic health coach at Healthy Foundations in Dubuque.
