Breaking Free from Food Guilt and Finding Joy in Your Health Journey with Brittany Braswell

Guest Post with Brittany Braswell

*this post does include affiliate links*

In today’s fast-paced and image-focused world, the struggle with food guilt, body image, and obsession over fitness goals can feel overwhelming. Many women are stuck in cycles of restrictive eating, body shame, and chasing unrealistic ideals—leaving them exhausted and far from the joy-filled life they desire. The good news? There’s a way to break free.

In this post, we’ll explore how to let go of food guilt, embrace your God-given identity, and build a Christ-centered approach to health and wellness. Using Brittany Braswell’s RISE Framework for Food Freedom, you’ll discover practical steps to transform your relationship with food, fitness, and faith.

Recognizing the Struggle with Food and Body Image

Let’s start with a story many can relate to: You enjoy a holiday meal with family, indulging in favorite dishes and desserts, but the next day, you’re consumed with guilt. You feel the urge to overcompensate by skipping meals, working out excessively, or promising yourself you’ll eat “clean” tomorrow.

This cycle of guilt and shame is all too common and reflects a deeper issue: disordered thinking around food and body image. It’s not just about what we eat but how we view ourselves and our worth.

For many women, food guilt and obsessive dieting steal joy and mental space, leaving little room for the freedom God intends. But true transformation begins when we shift our focus from worldly ideals to God’s design for our lives and bodies.

Step 1: Recognize the Roots of Unhealthy Patterns

The first step in Brittany Braswell’s RISE Framework is Recognize. This means identifying the beliefs and fears driving your unhealthy habits.

• Core Beliefs: What do you believe about food, your body, or your worth? Are these beliefs rooted in truth or societal pressures?
• Limiting Beliefs: What’s holding you back from freedom? Common thoughts like “I’ll never be enough” or “I can’t control myself around food” often stem from deeper fears.

Without addressing these root causes, it’s easy to fall back into harmful cycles, like bingeing, restricting, or overexercising. Recognizing these beliefs is the foundation for lasting change.

Example: One of Brittany’s clients realized her bingeing wasn’t about lack of willpower but a way to cope with unmet emotional needs. Once she identified this, she could address the root cause and find healthier ways to meet those needs.

Step 2: Find Your Identity in Christ

The second step is Identity—understanding who you are in Christ and how this impacts your view of yourself.

Our culture often ties worth to appearance, performance, or accomplishments. But as daughters of the Most High King, our value isn’t defined by the scale, our clothing size, or how “clean” our diet is.

• Who Is God? If you see God as a harsh taskmaster, it’s easy to feel unworthy or ashamed. Recognizing Him as a loving Father changes everything.
• Who Are You? You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), designed to glorify God—not to meet worldly standards.

When you root your identity in Christ, you’re free to approach health as an act of worship rather than a quest for perfection.

Step 3: Strengthen Healthy Habits

The third step, Strengthen, focuses on building practical, sustainable habits for food and fitness.

This isn’t about quick fixes or rigid plans but creating habits that align with biblical principles and your unique needs. Here’s how:

1. Set Goals That Honor God: Shift your mindset from “I need to lose weight” to “I want to steward my body well to fulfill God’s purpose for me.”
2. Balance Nutrition with Freedom: Instead of labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” focus on nourishment and gratitude. For example, thank God for the energy He provides through food rather than fearing it.
3. Build Sustainable Fitness Habits: Focus on movement that brings joy and strength, not punishment. Incorporate strength training, walks, or stretching routines that fit your lifestyle.

Example: Brittany’s client Claire struggled with guilt over eating “fear foods” and would restrict herself the next day. By strengthening her understanding of nutrition and using tailored strategies, she broke the cycle of bingeing and restricting.

Step 4: Empower Yourself to Rest and Reconnect

The final step in the RISE Framework is Empower—developing the confidence and tools to sustain your freedom.

• Cultivate Body Wisdom: Learn to trust your hunger and fullness cues rather than relying on rigid diet rules.
• Practice Intentional Rest: Rest isn’t laziness; it’s a biblical principle. Even God rested! Give yourself permission to rest physically, mentally, and spiritually.
• Reconnect with the Holy Spirit: Use your health journey as an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God. Whether it’s praying before meals or meditating on scripture during workouts, let the Holy Spirit guide your choices.

Why This Matters for Your Health Journey

Following the RISE Framework doesn’t just change your relationship with food—it transforms your entire life.

• More Joy: By letting go of guilt and shame, you make room for joy, gratitude, and peace.
• Greater Freedom: You no longer feel controlled by food or fitness goals but empowered to make choices that align with your values.
• Stronger Faith: Inviting God into your health journey helps you grow closer to Him and live out His purpose for your life.

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Caring for your body isn’t selfish—it’s stewardship. When you’re physically and mentally well, you’re better equipped to serve others and glorify God.

Practical Tips to Start Today

Here are three steps you can take right now to apply these principles:

1. Practice Gratitude: Start each day by thanking God for your body and what it allows you to do. Shift your focus from appearance to function.
2. Reframe Negative Thoughts: When you catch yourself thinking, “I ate too much,” replace it with, “I’m grateful for the nourishment and the memories I made.”
3. Join a Christ-Centered Community: Surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you in your health journey. Programs like Brittany’s Joy-Filled Eater Course can provide the guidance and support you need.

Ready to Find Freedom?

If food guilt, body image struggles, or health obsessions are holding you back, know this: freedom is possible. By recognizing harmful patterns, rooting your identity in Christ, and building sustainable habits, you can experience the joy-filled life God designed for you.

Take the first step today. Whether it’s journaling about your beliefs, starting a gratitude practice, or exploring Brittany’s RISE Framework, remember that small changes lead to big transformation.

Your worth isn’t tied to your weight or your workout routine—it’s found in the One who created you. And in Him, you are already enough.

Join Brittany's Joy Filled Eater Course HERE