Dear Body: Rewriting the Story of Food, Feelings, and Freedom
- Sunshine Staff
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
At Sunshine Community Health Center, we recognize that food is never just about food. It carries our culture, our memories, our emotions—and for many, our struggles. That’s why we created Dear Body, an eight-week virtual group therapy experience designed to help you explore and heal your relationship with eating, body image, and self-worth through the powerful practice of Intuitive Eating.
This isn’t about dieting, restriction, or numbers. It’s about trust, compassion, and coming home to your body.
The Daily Struggle: When Eating Becomes a Battleground
Many people join Dear Body carrying years—sometimes decades—of difficult experiences with food. Some have cycled through countless diets. Others feel stuck in patterns of binge eating, emotional eating, or deprivation. Some feel shame around their bodies, or believe they’ll only be worthy when they change how they look.
These struggles are real. And they’re exhausting.
You may find yourself:
Obsessing over what to eat next—or what you "shouldn't have" eaten
Skipping meals only to binge later
Feeling powerless around certain foods
Avoiding mirrors or dreading photos
Wrestling with guilt after eating
Labeling foods (and yourself) as "good" or "bad"
These are signs of a deeper disconnection—not a lack of willpower. At Dear Body, we help you unpack that disconnection with compassion, not judgment.
Understanding Triggers: Food, Feelings, and Patterns
So what drives these patterns?
Often, it’s a combination of emotional, psychological, and societal triggers. You might find yourself turning to food when you feel:
Lonely, anxious, or bored
Ashamed or out of control
Triggered by a comment about your weight or appearance
Exposed to unrealistic standards in media or social platforms
Judged by a healthcare provider or peer
Stuck in cycles of guilt, restriction, and rebellion
Through weekly group sessions, we explore how these triggers affect our thoughts and behaviors—and how to respond with mindfulness, curiosity, and self-kindness instead of criticism or shame.
Redefining Support: You Are Not Alone
What makes Dear Body different is the space we hold for each other. This group isn’t about advice or quick fixes—it’s about shared humanity.
You’ll be joined by others who know what it’s like to:
Feel exhausted by the noise of diet culture
Struggle in silence with food-related guilt or anxiety
Crave connection without judgment
Want to believe their body is worthy—just as it is
Each session includes reflection, open conversation, guided activities, and check-ins tailored to support your unique goals. The group dynamic fosters empathy and mutual growth, while our facilitators guide discussions with warmth and evidence-based practices.
A New Way to Nourish: Intuitive Eating & Body Trust
At the heart of Dear Body is Intuitive Eating, a framework that helps you reconnect with your body’s internal wisdom.
Rather than following external rules or restrictive plans, Intuitive Eating invites you to:
Listen to hunger and fullness cues
Let go of the food police
Make peace with all foods—yes, even the ones you’ve banned
Respect your body as it is today, not someday
Honor your health with gentle, sustainable choices
It’s not about “eating perfectly.” It’s about learning to respond to your body’s needs with care, not control.
The Invitation
If you’re ready to break free from cycles of dieting, shame, and self-judgment—Dear Body is here to walk with you. We’ll talk about food. But more than that, we’ll talk about healing.
Together, we’ll rewrite the story you’ve been told about your body—and help you write one rooted in trust, nourishment, and freedom.
Group Details:
🗓 Tuesdays, 3–4:30 PM via Zoom
| July 1 – August 19
🟡 Pre-registration required by June 23rd
📞 Call 907-733-9292 for details
Sunshine Community Health Center
1-907-376-2273 (CARE)
*This article was written with the support of AI*
