I Asked My Body What It Wanted—It Said Cookies (So We Talked It Out)
- Tracy Astle
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
You know that moment when someone says, “Just listen to your body,” and your brain freezes like it’s been asked to solve quantum physics during a root canal?
Yep. Been there.
Honestly, there was a time when I’d have had better luck interpreting whale songs than figuring out what my body was trying to tell me.
(Especially when what it seemed to be saying was: “Cookies. Now.”)
But let’s talk about body wisdom—what it is, why it’s God-designed, and how diet culture taught many of us to ignore it completely.
✨ What is Body Wisdom?
Body wisdom is the built-in intelligence your body has to guide you toward nourishment, movement, rest, connection—even joy.
It’s the “still small voice” inside your own skin that says:
“I’m hungry—please feed me something real.”
“I’m tired—maybe a nap is the best choice right now.”
“A walk in the sunshine sounds like heaven.”
“That third piece of pie may not end well.”
This isn’t fluffy wellness-speak.
It’s how God designed us.
Psalm 139 says we’re “fearfully and wonderfully made.”Not “fearfully and rigidly regulated.”
Your body wants to partner with you. It was never meant to be a project you manage—it’s a friend you listen to.
🚫 But Culture Says, “Don’t Trust That Thing You Live In.”
From a young age, we’re taught to obey food rules louder than hunger cues:
“Don’t eat after 7 p.m.”
“Never trust carbs.”
“If you’re not starving, you’re not doing it right.”
Or movement rules:
“Don’t skip leg day.”
“Pain is just weakness leaving the body.”
“Sweat is your fat crying.” (Or maybe it’s just… sweat?)
No wonder “listen to your body” sounds confusing, scary, or just plain unhelpful.
We've been conditioned to treat our bodies like rebellious toddlers who can’t be trusted without spreadsheets and an accountability buddy.
But here's the truth:
👉 Your body is not your enemy.
👉 It’s not your toddler.
👉 It’s your teammate.
😬 Confusing? Yes.
😨 Scary? A Little.
🙌 Impossible? Absolutely Not.
I once tried intuitive eating when I was trying not to try anymore. I asked my body what it wanted for lunch.
It said: “Cookies.”
I said: “You need protein.”
It said: “Fine. A peanut butter cookie.”
Was this wisdom? A misfire? A sugar demon in disguise?
It was hard to tell at first. But that’s how relearning starts.
If your body’s been ignored for years, it may be a little unclear at first. Like when someone ghosted you in 2010 and now wants to be besties again—it’s gonna take a minute.
But with time, gentleness, and a few peanut-butter-donut missteps, you can learn to hear your body again. And more than that?
You can begin to trust it.
Because God didn’t design your body to deceive you.
He designed it to guide you.
So the next time you hear, “Just listen to your body,”
Try replacing panic with curiosity.
Ask a gentle question.
Wait for the answer.
Believe it—even if it whispers instead of shouts.
💛 You were never meant to override wisdom with willpower.
💛 You were built for joy, not judgment.
And your body has some pretty wise things to say—especially when you finally get quiet enough to listen.
What’s something your body’s been trying to tell you lately?
Let me know in the comments or email me. I’d love to hear.
If this post resonated with you, please consider sharing it to spread the word. It might be of use to someone you know.
If you’d like to learn more about this topic, click HERE to book a chat with me, or follow me on Facebook @Nourishing Body & Soul or on Instagram @tlastle.nourishingbodyandsoul
#BodyWisdom #FaithAndWellness #IntuitiveLiving #ChristianCoach #ListenToYourBody #NoMoreDietCulture #TrustYourself #GraceOverGuilt #WellnessWithFaith #NourishingBodyAndSoul
Comments