In a world where you’re spoiled for choice it can be overwhelming to figure out what the right choice is for you. Even when it comes to something as simple as food, a basic need we satisfy several times daily– we face countless elaborate, and often confusing terms– organic, free range, ancient grains, paleo, gluten, lactose, intolerances vs allergies– food has become complicated! And that complication inevitably has fractured our relationship with food. While this may be a bitter pill to swallow, it’s a truth that we must recognise.

‍

I didn’t quite realise this myself but on looking back at my own relationship with food, I found myself facing that same harsh truth. I wasn’t a very active child, and my love for food in my early teens eventually led me to become an overweight teenager. I truly did love my sugary carbs and fats– and who doesn’t, when they taste so damn good?!

‍

When I moved to boarding school, I entered a much more disciplined environment. As a vegetarian among mostly non-vegetarians, with limited food choices and a culture of activity and regular exercise, I felt out of place. I wasn’t athletic, and surrounded by peers who seemed effortlessly fit, I started to internalise the pressure to "look a certain way".

‍

Skinny – that became the ideal I fixated on, and in pursuit of it, I pushed myself to unhealthy extremes. I exercised excessively every day, restricted my food intake to mostly fruits and leaves – counting calories and keeping my intake minimal, and punished myself for every "wrong" food choice and became toxic in my approach. I dropped from 88 kg to 45 kg — I achieved my goal but at a huge cost.

‍

I completely damaged my relationship with food. Something that once brought me joy became a source of anxiety and calculation. The physical consequences soon followed: I lost significant amounts of hair, constantly felt weak, and my menstrual cycle disappeared for almost a year. Still, I didn’t connect these symptoms with my extreme behaviour. I convinced myself I was doing everything "right" — after all, I was only following the trends and advice promoted by so-called professionals online so how could this extreme (and to be clear, unnecessary)  behaviour have anything to do with my symptoms?

‍

I learned the hard way that chasing unrealistic goals through drastic lifestyle changes does more harm than good. “Healthy” and “adequate” look different for everybody — one size doesn't fit all! When we shock our systems with extreme dieting or over-exercising, our bodies shift into survival mode, often disrupting essential functions.

‍

As author James Clear explains in Atomics Habits, the best way to achieve goals is by making small consistent changes in your daily habits. Small changes slowly add up to help you achieve big goals in a sustainable way – and while this may help break bad habits and implement healthier ones, it’s still vital to listen to your body. If your body is pushing back, it’s telling you something. Don’t punish your body — balance it. Indulging occasionally shouldn’t mean starving yourself afterward. Our bodies thrive on stability, and without enough fuel or rest, they send us warning signs.

‍

Once I realised that my health issues were rooted in the constant physical and mental stress I was putting on my body, true healing began. I rebuilt my relationship with food—not by restricting it, but by learning to respect it. Balance, not deprivation, became my mantra.

‍

I’ve always loved eating food, and after mending my relationship with it and finding balance in my habits, that love grew into something deeper. I became fascinated by ingredients, techniques, chemical gastronomy, cultural significance, health benefits, and the joy of sharing food with others. I realized how much you can learn about a place or a person through their food, which led me to study nutrition & gastronomy at Le Cordon Bleu. By embracing a sustainable approach to eating and fitness, and deepening my understanding about it, I realised my desire to create something that reflects this philosophy. That’s how Volonté was born.

‍

Volonté—French for “will” or “desire”—is a space dedicated to mindful eating, guilt-free indulgence, and balanced living. We believe that when you nourish your body with care and move with purpose, you cultivate strength, vitality, and joy—without the need for extreme sacrifice.

‍

Through this blog, I’ll share insights from my own journey and the Volonté community to help you build a healthier relationship with food, fitness and yourself—by listening not just to us, but most importantly, to your own body.