The holidays are a fraught time of year for anyone with food issues. Are you worrying about facing your fear foods? Wondering how to stay “on track”? Afraid that if you start eating you won’t be able to stop?

It doesn’t have to be this way.

There is a cure for binge eating, and it is: eating.

Yep. Eating. The one thing you’re trying to control is the one thing that can help you recover. And the holiday season is the perfect time to start your Phase 1 journey. When you eat exactly what you want, without guilt or punishment, you’re turning a special meal with family and friends into the first day of the rest of your life.

Resetting your body and mind after a lifetime of dieting is simple, but not easy. Here are five intuitive eating mantras to help get you through:

I choose body acceptance over binges.

I am teaching my hunger hormones that I am not starving.

I forgive myself for feeling hunger and enjoying food.

I am brave enough to love my body and live my life.

I reject diet culture. I am reclaiming joy.