Can the Desire to Lose Weight AND Pursue Food Freedom Coexist?

 

Can the Desire to Lose Weight AND Pursue Food Freedom Coexist?

“I want food freedom… but I also kinda want to lose weight. Is that wrong?”

Oh friend, if I had a dollar for every time a Christian woman whispered this question with a cocktail of guilt, shame, and curiosity—I’d be writing this blog from a beach house in Maui. 🏖️

But in all seriousness, if you’ve been wrestling with this exact thought, I want you to hear me loud and clear:

You are NOT disqualified from pursuing food freedom just because part of you still wants weight loss.

Let’s break this tension down together—with grace, truth, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit (not the scale).

The Honest Truth: You’re Not Alone in This Tension

First, a big ol’ exhale. You’re not the only Christian woman who feels this way. This desire to “want both” is extremely common—especially if you’ve grown up in a performance-based or image-focused environment.

“Brittany, I don’t want to obsess over food anymore... but also, I’d love it if my jeans didn’t feel like sausage casings.”

Yep. I hear you. And it doesn’t mean you’re doing food freedom wrong.

But here’s the kicker: we’ve got to get curious about that desire, without being crushed by guilt from it.

This is where so many women feel stuck—like they have to choose one or the other:

• Either pursue weight loss and feel like they’re betraying the food freedom movement...
  
  
• Or commit to food freedom and feel like they’re betraying their own body goals.
  
  

But what if... just what if... that tug-of-war is coming from the wrong source?

Let’s talk about who’s calling the shots:
Diet culture or the Holy Spirit?

Why Do I Want to Lose Weight, Really?

Before we start making assumptions or mapping out meal plans, let’s pause and ask the question behind the question:

“What do I believe weight loss will give me?”

Is it confidence?
Acceptance?
Peace with your reflection in the mirror?
Validation from a spouse?
Permission to feel joyful in your body?

Friend, weight loss is never the true goal. It’s what we think it will give us that we’re chasing. (Read that one again.) 🤯

And here’s where it gets real: Most of those things—confidence, worth, peace—can’t be delivered by a different pant size. Even if the world tells you otherwise.

🎯 Try this journal prompt:

“What do I believe is possible in a smaller body that I don’t believe is possible right now?”

It might sting a little. But it’s a powerful doorway into discovering what your heart is really longing for. And spoiler alert: It’s probably something God wants to speak into.

Diet Culture’s Voice vs. the Holy Spirit’s Whisper

Let’s be clear: There is zero shame in desiring physical change. But the why and how behind that desire matters.

Diet culture says:

• “Smaller is better.”
  
  
• “Your body is your worth.”
  
  
• “More self-control = more holiness.”
  
  

(Ohhh boy. That last one hits hard, doesn't it?)

But the Holy Spirit? He’s whispering something entirely different:

• “Your worth is secure in Me.”
  
  
• “I care more about your heart than your hip measurement.”
  
  
• “I’m after transformation by the renewing of your mind, not a remodeling of your thighs.” (👋 Romans 12:2)
  
  

So let’s ask ourselves:

“Am I letting diet culture discipline me more than Jesus in this area of my life?”

Oof. I told you I’d bring the truth in (tough) love. 💗

How Weight Loss Can Fit Into Food Freedom (Just Not the Way You Think)

Okay, so now you’re probably wondering:

“Can I still want to lose weight and pursue food freedom without sabotaging my progress?”

Short answer: YES... but it depends on the position you give that desire.

Here’s how I explain it to clients:

“Weight loss isn’t the steering wheel. It can ride in the back seat—but it doesn’t get to drive.”

🙅‍♀️ When weight loss is the boss, everything becomes about control:

• Counting calories
  
  
• Compulsively weighing yourself
  
  
• Labeling foods “good” or “bad”
  
  
• Punishing workouts to “burn off” last night’s dessert
  
  

But when food freedom is the boss (and Jesus is at the center), something beautiful happens:

🎯 You start setting behavior-based goals instead of outcome-based ones.

Here's a real-life example:

• Instead of “I want to lose weight,” your goal becomes “I want to improve my heart health.”
  
  
• That leads to joyful movement, nutrient-dense meals, and increased energy levels.
  
  
• And guess what? Weight change might occur as a side effect.
  
  

Healthy, Christ-Centered Questions to Ask Yourself

Want to process this with the Holy Spirit instead of shame? Grab your journal (and maybe a cozy blanket), and reflect on these:

1. What do I believe weight loss will give me?
   
   
2. What am I afraid will happen if I don’t lose weight?
   
   
3. Have I actually surrendered my body, weight, and appearance to Jesus?
   
   
4. Am I willing to seek healing more than I seek control?
   
   

That last one? Whew. It’s a doozy. 😅

But it’s the heart posture that changes everything.

Tangible Steps You Can Take (Without Obsessing)

So what can you actually do right now if you’re in the “I want both” boat?

Here’s your quick-start checklist:

✅ Name your true goal behind the weight desire
✅ Shift to behavior-based goals (like improving energy, digestion, or strength)
✅ Invite Jesus into the conversation
✅ Set the scale aside for a while (yep, even if it freaks you out a little)
✅ Find food freedom mentors who point you back to grace and truth (👋 Hi, friend. I’m right here.)

Let’s Talk Bible (Because... Obviously)

Still struggling to believe God cares about your body and your food freedom journey?

Here are two key scriptures to cling to:

✨ Matthew 6:33

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Translation? If your pursuit of weight is coming before your pursuit of Him... it’s time to re-evaluate who’s on the throne. 😬 (Again, I love you, friend. That's why I'm asking the tough questions.)

✨ Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

It doesn’t say “...by the changing of your body.” Enough said.

 

Ready to Move Forward With Peace AND Purpose?

Here’s the truth bomb I need you to remember:

You can be honest about wanting to lose weight without disqualifying yourself from food freedom.

But you can’t ignore it, obsess over it, or let it rule your every decision—and still expect peace.

So what do we do? We:

🎯 Get curious.
🎯 Get honest.
🎯 Get Jesus involved.

And we pursue healing over control, freedom over fear, and joy over judgment.

Final Encouragement (and a Little Sassy Pep Talk)

You are not failing because you’re still wrestling with body image.
You are not “less holy” because you want to feel good in your skin.
And you are NOT alone in this journey.

But if you want real freedom?
You’ve gotta stop letting diet culture set the rules and start letting the Holy Spirit set the pace. 💃

Start here:

🙏 A Simple Prayer to Begin

“Jesus, help me want YOU more than I want control. Help me to trust You with my body and with my desires.”

Want More Encouragement Like This?

🎧 Grab your earbuds and binge my free 6-part Joy-Filled Eater private podcast series
You’ll steal the exact process I walk my private clients through to ditch food anxiety and body shame—while staying rooted in your faith.

🎁 ➡️ Get immediate access here: www.brittanybraswellrd.com/secret

📲 Follow me on Instagram (@brittanybraswellrd) and DM me with your biggest takeaway from today’s post!

💌 And don’t forget to subscribe to the Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast for more real talk, biblical truth, and practical strategies every single week.