1. You don’t experience a fixation with food
People who experience food fixation may have a heightened concern about their food choices, body weight, or appearance, which can lead to emotional distress and an unhealthy relationship with eating. A healthy relationship with food means you’re not consumed by thoughts of what you should or shouldn’t eat. Food is enjoyable and nourishing, not a constant worry.

2. No food is off-limits, and you don’t restrict food
You don’t label foods as “good” or “bad.” Instead, you enjoy a variety of foods in moderation, without extreme dieting or rigid restrictions in order to control your body weight.

3. You consume a balanced diet
A healthy weight often comes naturally when you eat a diet rich in both macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Your focus is on nourishing your body.

4. You give yourself unconditional permission to eat
You trust yourself to make food choices aligned with your values and health goals. You don’t feel guilty for indulging occasionally; it’s all part of a balanced approach to eating.

5. You aren’t overly concerned when there are deviations in your exercise routine
You exercise for enjoyment and health, not as a punishment for eating. You’re not obsessed with hitting a specific step count or logging excessive hours at the gym. You don’t become overly preoccupied or anxious when your exercise routine or activity levels change. You know it’s natural for life to fluctuate and you embrace it without self-judgment.

6. You maintain consistent eating patterns and are in touch with your hunger and fullness cues
You maintain stable eating habits, avoiding regular overeating, undereating or emotional eating. When variations occur, you understand their causes and make positive adjustments. Instead of using food to cope with your emotions, you have ways to manage feelings of stress, boredom, anxiety, overwhelm, etc.

7. You prioritize recovery and sleep
A healthy weight is often associated with adequate rest. You prioritize quality sleep and allow your body to recover from physical activity.

8. You have a regular menstrual cycle
For women in their reproductive years, a regular menstrual cycle can be an indicator of overall health. Being significantly underweight or having an eating disorder can disrupt normal menstrual cycles. The body may prioritize essential functions over reproductive function when it senses a lack of energy or nutrition. Intense or excessive exercise, especially when combined with inadequate calorie intake, can lead to changes in hormone levels and result in amenorrhea (missing periods). This is often referred to as exercise-induced amenorrhea. PCOS and thyroid imbalances can lead to irregular or absent periods as well. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience irregularities.

9. Your weight fluctuates within a certain range
You understand that your body’s weight naturally fluctuates within a certain range, and this fluctuation is entirely normal. A healthy approach to weight involves prioritizing how you feel over a particular number on the scale. It means paying attention to your energy levels, mood, physical fitness, and overall well-being rather than fixating on achieving a specific weight goal.

10. You don’t have excessively high or very low body fat
While BMI has its limitations, it can offer a general indication of health. You aim for a body fat level that falls within a healthy range but understand that individual variation exists. Some individuals with a BMI in the obese range or a high body fat percentage may have relatively good metabolic health, while others with lower measurements may still be at risk for health problems due to factors like genetics and lifestyle.