Being on a diet shouldn’t make you miserable
Diet: A four-letter word that we all think is the start of misery. We hear it and immediately brace ourselves for pain. Hunger. Sadness. Plates full of dry chicken and steamed broccoli. No dessert. No joy. Just a countdown until it’s “over.” And for what? So we can finally be “good enough?”
Girl, please.
Let’s call this what it is: a mindset trap. The word “diet” has been twisted into something it was never meant to be. Somewhere along the way, society decided that dieting equals restriction. That being healthy means you’re not allowed to enjoy food anymore. That if it tastes good, it must be bad for you. That you’re either “being good” or you’re “cheating.”
And that’s just… toxic.
The truth is, a healthy lifestyle shouldn’t feel like punishment. If you’re suffering, obsessing, or dreading every meal, you’re not doing what’s best for your body (or mind). You’re just stuck in the cycle. And the cycle lies. It tells you that you’re not disciplined unless you’re miserable. That you only deserve praise when you’re shrinking. That a salad gives you the moral high ground, and a cupcake is your downfall.
But food isn’t good or bad. And neither are you for eating it.
Here’s the real revelation: if you’re eating in a way that fuels you, supports your goals, and makes you feel confident and energised—that’s not a diet. That’s a lifestyle. A true healthy lifestyle isn’t temporary. It’s not about “getting back on track” every Monday or swearing off carbs forever. It’s not about guilt or shame. Instead, it’s about feeling good in your own damn body and making choices that support that every day. With balance.
You’re allowed to enjoy your meals. You should. Forcing yourself to eat bland food you hate is a setup for failure. It’s not noble to be miserable at dinner; it’s just unnecessary. You can have flavour and function. You can enjoy your favourite foods and hit your goals. The two are not mutually exclusive.
Let me reintroduce the concept: eating well is an act of love, not punishment. It’s choosing the foods that love you back. It’s paying attention to what makes your body feel strong, focused, and energised. Being mindful, not obsessive. It’s finding what works for you, not copying whatever the latest “clean girl” on TikTok is eating.
And let’s talk about that for a second—this social media perfection thing? It’s gotta go.
We’ve glamorised diets that are just rebranded restrictions. Skinny teas, juice cleanses, “What I eat in a day” videos that look like nutritional sadness. No one tells you how cranky they are or how they binge later because they’ve starved all day. We’re not here for that anymore. We’re here for real, sustainable, and for peace with food.
It’s okay to have a cookie. It’s okay to eat pasta. And it’s okay to go out to dinner with friends and not spiral afterwards. Because the real flex? The real badge of health? Is freedom. Not fear. Not controlled. And not obsession.
You can be healthy and still eat the foods you love. You can crave balance without chasing perfection and set boundaries with yourself without becoming your bully. Healthy doesn’t have to mean hard. And it should never mean joyless.
So no—I’m not on a diet. I’m not suffering through meals just to check a box. I’m not forcing myself into a mould to earn someone’s approval. Instead, I’m choosing a lifestyle that aligns with my goals, energy, and confidence. I’m learning what makes me feel good, and keeping that. I’m building habits that support me long-term, not crash fixes that leave me burnt out. And I’m eating like someone who deserves to feel good, because I do.
This shift in mindset is powerful. It’s freedom. It’s peace. And it’s long overdue.
If you’re struggling with the word “diet,” maybe it’s time to ditch it altogether. You don’t need a title for eating in a way that supports your life. You just need to remember that food isn’t the enemy, and neither are you. When you lead with love, intention, and self-respect, the rest will follow.
And trust me, your body, mind, and soul will thank you.