If you're tired of the mirror holding power over your mood, this compassionate read unpacks the hidden reasons we obsess over our reflection—and offers a path toward freedom.

You want to feel better, and every weight loss ad promises you will feel better, and be happy, when you lose weight. And you probably do feel happier when you start your new eating program. But when you’ve lost your resolve, the good feelings go away, so you figure if you just lost a bit more weight, you’d feel better. But then it goes away yet again! How can you sustain that “better” feeling?

The “change your body” approach to joy and happiness fosters the very disconnection that is causing the distress. The combination of connection and gratitude is the key to feeling happy and joyful. Here's why.

Recovery from eating and weight issues is not a destination. It is not a place where you arrive one day and finally “get it.” If you see your healing as a destination, not only will you be disappointed, but you will also miss your recovery.