Today we are celebrating Independence Day in the United States. This is a day we enjoy a backyard barbecue with family and friends or a neighborhood picnic, usually followed by fireworks to celebrate our freedom. Whether you are in the U.S. or elsewhere, take a moment today to celebrate your freedom from dieting and overeating. Or, if you have not been liberated from dieting and overeating yet, consider what that would be like!

• I am free from my obsession with food so I am able to enjoy the entire event, not just the buffet.
• I am free from endless conversations about weight, diets, and calories.
• I am free to eat what I love without worrying about what others will think or say.
• I am free from judging others for their weight or food choices.
• I am free to choose from all of the foods available to me without guilt, counting, or paying penance.
• I am free from mindless eating so I am able to savor one potato chip at a time.
• I am free to skip the boring store-bought macaroni salad if I don’t like it.
• I am free to get up and get more of what I love (and leave the rest on my plate).
• I am free to stop eating when I am satisfied, remembering that I live in a land of abundance.
• I am free to enjoy fireworks without feeling stuffed and uncomfortable.

Happy 4th of July – and happy freedom from dieting and overeating!

This article was updated from a previous version.

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