12 Empowering Principles to Live a Life of Peace with Your Body and Food

"The body is a self-healing organism. So it’s really about clearing things out of the way so the body can heal itself."

— Barbara Brennan

Drawing from my own recovery journey and my work with countless others in various capacities, I've identified the underlying principles that inspired the creation of DEEP Body Love. I genuinely believe these principles are essential to life, not just for those who struggle with emotional eating or negative body image. They serve as foundational truths that can help anyone cultivate a healthier relationship with themselves and their bodies.

The relationship you have with your body and food is one of the most profound connections you’ll ever have. Through your body, you access everything you need to live fully. When you cultivate a loving relationship with your body, you open the door to experiencing more of life—tapping into a sense of freedom, joy, peace, and a connection to something far greater than yourself.

This feeling can only be understood while you're in it, and the beauty lies in knowing there’s no final destination. The more you connect with your body, the more you discover what’s possible for you. Your body is a vessel that holds everything, allowing you to access the magic and mystery of life as it resonates within. You just keep taking small steps forward.

To nurture this bond and cultivate lasting peace within yourself, it's important to keep certain truths in mind. These guiding principles will support you as you honor your body, break free from emotional eating, and create a life filled with love, balance, and alignment.

1. Your Body is Your Home

Your body is where your emotions, experiences, and life reside. She is a sacred space deserving of your honor and care. When you treat her with respect, you create a safe environment to thrive in.

2. Emotional Eating is a Superpower

The urge to emotionally eat isn’t a flaw; it’s a powerful message from within. When it arises, it’s signaling that something inside is out of balance. Use this as an opportunity to tune into your body’s wisdom and address what needs care. As you grow in love and respect for your body, these urges and cravings naturally diminish because you begin to notice and respond to the messages much sooner.

3. Hunger Comes in Many Forms

Hunger goes beyond the physical. It can also be emotional, spiritual, mental, or even social. Emotional hunger often seeks comfort or relief from stress, loneliness, or unresolved feelings. Spiritual hunger yearns for deeper meaning, purpose, or connection with something greater.

Mental hunger can arise from boredom or the need for stimulation and creativity. Social hunger seeks connection, belonging, or validation from others. By understanding the true source of your hunger, you can nourish yourself in more meaningful ways, no longer needing to rely on food to fill these deeper voids.

4.Stress and Deeper Emotions Are Clues

Hunger isn't just physical—it can be emotional, spiritual, mental, or even social. These different types of hunger can offer clues about what's happening beneath the surface. They may point to the replaying of old thoughts, stories, or beliefs that aren’t true, or signal that self-care has taken a back seat, leading to burnout from the day, week, or even the year.

When stress or anxiety arises, it's a clear sign that something within you needs support or healing. Rather than suppressing these feelings, allow them to guide you, and you'll uncover what truly needs attention.

5. You Are Not Broken

You’re human. Every craving or urge is valuable information. As you learn to sit with these sensations, feelings, thoughts, beleifs rather than fear or reject them, you’ll become empowered and less controlled by them.

6. Love Your Body Like a Child

Your body, like a child, responds best to gentle, unconditional love. Often, the voice behind emotional eating is the voice of your inner child. Offer yourself the same care and compassion you would to someone you deeply love. Would you talk to a young child the way that you talk to yourself? How would that child respond? We shut ourselves down and remain fearful and it does not feel safe to be in the body. We have to change this, step by step. This is what love, compassion and self respect is.

7. Your Body Speaks

Your body communicates through emotions, feelings, and needs, each providing important clues about what’s happening inside you. When you feel joy, sadness, or discomfort, it’s your body sharing vital information.

Honoring these signals means paying attention without judgment. Instead of ignoring cravings or discomfort, approach them with curiosity and kindness. This respectful attitude helps you build a stronger relationship with yourself, fostering compassion and understanding.

As you deepen this connection, you learn to recognize not just your physical needs but also your emotional and spiritual well-being. Ultimately, listening to your body can transform your relationship with yourself, opening doors to greater joy and peace.

8. Be Present with Your Body

The more present you become with your body, the stronger your connection to her grows. This presence is where your true power resides, fully experiencing and inhabiting your body with mindfulness. When you engage with your body in this way, you create a nurturing environment that fosters peace and healing.

Being aware of your body’s sensations and feelings allows you to understand her needs better and respond with compassion. This deepened connection not only promotes physical well-being but also opens the door to emotional healing, helping you navigate challenges with greater resilience. Ultimately, embracing this awareness transforms your relationship with yourself, allowing you to experience life more fully and authentically.

9. Food is Not the Enemy

Food is nourishment, not something to be feared or fought against. As your love for your body grows, so too does your peaceful relationship with food. It becomes a source of energy and life, not stress or guilt.

10. Embrace Alignment

When something feels off, explore it with curiosity. Your body will always guide you toward what needs alignment. Trust her wisdom as you seek balance and well-being.

11. Your Journey is Unique

Your journey is one of a kind, and there is no point in attempting to follow someone’s idea of what this looks like. We can be guides for each other, however your body and your connection is the most powerful compass not only on the planet, also in the universe, this is why we need to learn to inhabit her fully so that she can be free in so many other ways too.

Your path is uniquely yours, so take the time to celebrate each small step, your progress and trust your process, understanding that each step you take holds value. The key to finding peace in your body lies in accepting her exactly as she is and learning to love her, even if there are aspects you may not particularly like. Just as you would a loved one.

12. You Are Worthy

You deserve love, peace, and freedom in your body and with food. These are not things to earn, they are your birthright. Embrace your worthiness, always.

As you move forward, keep these truths close. They are here to support you, help you reconnect with your inner wisdom, and guide you on a path of empowerment. Living in harmony with your body and food is not only possible, it’s your natural state. Stay committed to this journey, and the peace you seek will continue to unfold.

Take a moment to reflect on the miracles your body performs every day, from breathing to healing to movement. Write about three things your body does that you are grateful for, and how you can show appreciation for these wonders.

Create a "Body Listening Practice." Set aside 10 minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on how your body feels. If this is hard, start with 1 minute, literally. Put a timer on. This is not about ‘emptying your mind'. Pay attention to any sensations, emotions, or hunger cues. Without judgment, write down what you notice. Over time, this practice will help you tune into your body’s wisdom and respond with greater awareness and compassion.

I invite you to listen to the words as if you are sharing it with your body and feel the music, notice your energy. Breathe and enjoy.

 Sarah Reeves - More Than Enough (Official Music Video)

Drawing from my own recovery journey and my work with countless others in various capacities, I've identified the underlying principles that inspired the creation of DEEP Body Love. I genuinely believe these principles are essential to life, not just for those who struggle with emotional eating or negative body image. They serve as foundational truths that can help anyone cultivate a healthier relationship with themselves and their bodies.

✨ Only 2 Spots Left for 1:1 Coaching! ✨

Are you ready to take back control from emotional eating and transform your life in a real, tangible way? I have just 4 spots available for my 6-month coaching program starting in October. This journey offers weekly coaching, where we work in real-time through your current life situations, addressing both the obvious aspects of emotional eating and the deeper underlying patterns.

If you’re seeking support to make lasting changes and want to create real shifts in your daily life, I’d love to connect with you. Let’s schedule a free 30-minute conversation to see if we’re the right fit to work together.

Warmest regards,

Liz