“All things are lawful but I will not be mastered by anything. Food for the stomach and the stomach for food but both will be destroyed.”
The Apostle Paul, 1st Corinthians, Chapter Six
This topic is a bit personal to me. You see, back in 2009, I was struggling. I mean really struggling: depressed, in a tough life situation, and coincidentally, about 25-30 pounds overweight. Through a series of divine appointments, a lot of grace and some awesome community/friends, I ended up in a crossfit gym, so “forge elite fitness”. This was both humbling and scary.
In the first year of working out and changing my nutritional program, I found out something amazing from my coach, Ryan Hudson. He told me something that fundamentally and pragmatically changed me as a person who has struggled with anxiety and depression almost my entire adult life.
In a nutritional seminar that he was hosting at the gym one night, we uttered these words that have been carved into my heart and soul. He said; “Friends, as a trainer, educator and someone who has a degree in nutrition and fitness, I can assure you that nothing will affect your mood and energy more than what you choose to put in your mouth”.
Understanding the Connection Between Food and Mood
I was shocked, stunned, pretty embarrassed and paradoxically empowered. He went on to explain that our food acts as a “depressant” or a stimulant, and if you have too much sugar, complex carbs than you are actually programming your mind and your life for depression, sadness and a tendency to being open for bi-polar tendencies. WOW…what an eye opener.
What does this have to do with your fight against addiction? Well, everything I would argue. You’ve heard about the rats that preferred sugar to cocaine right? If not just Google “rats sugar addiction”, and you’ll be blown away.
What I learned in 2010-2011 is that if I can win with my self-control in the kitchen and what I choose to put in my mouth, I can actually have self-control and win in other parts of my life as well. I want to give you 3 incentives to start 2017 out right and start with what you choose to put in your mouth.
Finding the Motivation to Choose Health
#1- If you can discipline your life with your eating you can discipline your life with other highly addictive chemicals. We all want the joy but none of us want the discipline. But guess what? There’s no joy without the discipline. You must not let anything master you whether it’s food, drugs or sex. The only legitimate master is God Himself.
#2- Being in Control of your life Feels Good: We’re taught (quite stupidly) by the culture; “if it feels good than do it”. You are here on this website because you have found such “advice” to be a damaging lie leading to nothing but hurt. However, disciplining yourself and denying yourself for the purpose of “self-mastery” is ultimately what feels good (actually it feels “best”).
#3- Honestly, wouldn’t be awesome to not just “lose a few lbs.” in 2017 but to actually lose the dysfunctional way you use food, sugar and chemicals as coping mechanisms? Wouldn’t that be a much nobler, better version than a stupid “Weight Loss plan”?
Put down that soda, grab a cup of water and ponder these things…it might just be the year you become the master of your own appetites.
Community Discussion - Share Your Thoughts Here!
What has helped you in making important changes with your eating habits in addiction recovery?
About the Author:
Ryan Moffat is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR
Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing. He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on December 12, 2016
Published on AddictionHope.com