Is It Discipline or Disordered? How to Tell the Difference When It Comes to Food, Exercise, & Body Image

Have you ever skipped dessert—not because you weren’t craving it—but because you were scared of what it might do to your body? Or pushed through a workout even when your body was practically screaming, "Girl, sit down!"… and you called it “discipline”? 🤬

You’re not alone, friend. Not even a little.

In today’s blog post, we’re pulling back the curtain on a question that SO many Christian women wrestle with in silence: Is this actually healthy… or is it unhelpful patterns in disguise?

Spoiler alert: There’s a big difference between God-honoring discipline and the soul-crushing pressure to be "perfect."

So, how can you tell the difference? Let’s dive in.

When "Discipline" Feels Like a Prison: My Personal Wake-Up Call

A few years ago, A client of mine was waking up early not to spend time with Jesus, but to squeeze in a workout before breakfast. I didn’t feel well. I was exhausted. My body was begging for rest, but I told myself, "This is what healthy people do. This is discipline."

And let me tell you... it looked like discipline. People praised me for being "so consistent." But underneath it all? I felt anxious. I felt trapped. I was living in fear of what would happen if I missed a day.

Now I can clearly see what I called discipline was actually disordered.

Sound familiar? Maybe for you it’s:

• Obsessively tracking every macro
• Turning down birthday cake out of fear
• Exercising to "make up" for last night's pizza

If you’re wondering if what you’re doing is healthy or harmful, keep reading—because we’re going to unpack how to actually tell the difference.

Discipline: What the World Says vs. What the Word Says

Let’s start by calling out the tension.

The world says: Discipline means control. Hustle. Self-denial. No pain, no gain.

But the Word says:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” —Hebrews 12:11

Also:

“Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way.” —1 Timothy 4:7-8

Here's a quick analogy:

Think of two coaches. One’s barking orders from the sidelines with a clipboard and a megaphone. The other is calmly walking beside you, guiding you with wisdom and encouragement.

That's the difference between worldly discipline and Biblical discipline.

Ask yourself:

• Is this action drawing me closer to God or deeper into anxiety?
• Am I chasing peace and fruitfulness—or control and perfection?

Discipline rooted in Christ leads to peace, not pressure.

What Disordered Eating Actually Looks Like (Even if You Don’t Have a Diagnosis)

This is where it gets tricky, because disordered eating wears a really convincing disguise.

Let me paint a picture for you:

You’ve got on your "healthy girl glasses"—and from the outside, everything looks great. You’re meal prepping. You’re moving your body. You’re making "smart" choices. People applaud you. But the lens? It’s distorted.

Because underneath the highlight reel, you may be:

• Feeling constant guilt after eating something "off plan"
• Avoiding social events if there’s food you can’t control
• Spending more time thinking about food and your body than anything else (yep… even Jesus)
• Punishing yourself with exercise instead of using it to feel good

Let me say this loudly for the women in the back: Just because the world praises your habits doesn’t mean they’re healthy.

Warning signs to watch for:

• Guilt or shame after eating
• Rigid food rules (that must be followed)
• Anxiety if you miss a workout
• Constant body checking or weighing

If it feels like your whole life revolves around food, your weight, or exercise… it might be time to take off those "healthy girl glasses."

When Disordered Behavior Masquerades as Discipline

Whew. This one’s heavy. 

I once had a client tell me she hadn’t missed a workout in four years. Not even when she was sick.

She said, "Everyone tells me I’m so dedicated. But honestly? I feel imprisoned."

Can we just pause there?

If you notice yourself comparing your own story here—pause. This isn’t a contest of who’s more disordered.’Your struggle is real, and it matters.

Our culture loves to applaud overachievement—even when it’s at the expense of your mental and physical health. And as Christian women, we often internalize that praise as spiritual success.

But here’s the litmus test:

Is it producing the fruit of the Spirit—or the fruit of fear?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” —Galatians 5:22-23

If what you call discipline is actually making you feel:

• Anxious
• Exhausted
• Disconnected from others
• Obsessed with performance

...then sweet friend, that’s not discipline. That’s disordered.

What God-Honoring Discipline Actually Looks Like

Now let’s reframe it. Because God-honoring discipline? It’s beautiful.

Imagine a trellis in a garden. It doesn’t cage the plant in—it gives it structure to grow. It supports the vine as it reaches for the sun.

That’s what Christ-centered discipline does.

It creates boundaries for flourishing. Not bondage.

Here’s what it looks like:

• Listening to your body’s cues and trusting they’re God-given
• Moving your body out of love, not loathing
• Enjoying food without guilt or obsession
• Honoring rest as holy and restorative
• Rooting your habits in identity, not insecurity

This is the kind of discipline that brings freedom—because it’s not about control. It’s about stewardship.

Still Wondering Where You Stand? Here's a Quick Heart Check:

Ask yourself:

• Am I doing this to honor God or manipulate my body?
• Is this helping me grow in peace or spiraling me into obsession?
• Am I making this a moral issue when it’s just food?

If you’re ready to walk in peace and not pressure, it might be time to surrender what the world calls "healthy" for the health God actually wants for you.

Let’s Recap: Discipline vs. Disordered

Here’s the bottom line:

• If it feels like punishment, it’s not peace.
• If it’s producing anxiety, it’s not godly discipline.
• If it’s stealing your joy, it might be time to let go.

God doesn’t call us to live in fear of food. He calls us to freedom.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” —Galatians 5:1

Ready to Trade Pressure for Peace?

If this blog hit you right in the gut (in the best way), and you’re thinking, "Okay, but how do I actually start healing this?" — I got you.

Inside The Joy-Filled Eater LIVE, my signature group coaching program, I walk with you step-by-step through healing your relationship with food, your body, and your faith. We dive into:

• Biblical truth + mindset shifts
• Food freedom tools (no more food guilt!)
• How to actually care for your body with grace
• A sisterhood of support (because this is NOT a solo journey)

Curious if it’s for you? Listen to the Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast!

And if you’re just getting started, grab my free private podcast — it’s full of encouragement and tips to get your feet wet without overwhelm.

Final Thoughts

Friend, you are not lazy for resting.

You are not weak for enjoying food.

And you are not alone in this journey.

Let’s stop white-knuckling our way through diet culture and start walking in grace instead.

Until next time, keep chasing joy and choosing freedom.

 

With grace + grit,

Brittany