By: Janeth Ulrich

Helen Birney, the founder of the Energetic Eating Method, has supported many women in moving away from the cycle of yo-yo dieting and restrictive eating patterns. In her approach, she guides women to reconnect with their bodies, build trust, and release weight without the need for counting or tracking anything. In this interview, Helen shares her insights on the power of “Energetic Eating” and how it may help support lasting health and transformation.

Going “Beyond the Scale”: Reconnecting with Your True Self

For years, many of us have been conditioned to believe that a number on the scale defines our worth. For Helen, this mentality was part of her own journey until she realized that true health is not about what the scale says. “Going beyond the scale means reconnecting with your body, your energy, and your deeper desires—not just focusing on your weight,” she explains. The focus, she says, should be on how you want to feel, not just what you weigh. When health decisions are made from a place of self-connection rather than pressure or restriction, they are more likely to be sustainable.

The Turning Point: From Yo-Yo Dieting to Energetic Healing

Helen’s turning point came when she was trying various diets without success, only to find herself feeling worse physically and emotionally. “I ignored many warning signs—anxiety, night sweats, stomach pain—and still, the scale didn’t change,” she recalls. After a moment of frustration that led her to literally run over the scale with her car, she began studying integrative nutrition. This new path introduced her to energy healing, which helped her uncover deeper emotional patterns that had been holding her back. The result? The development of the Energetic Eating Method, a sustainable approach that helps women address weight concerns while also healing their relationship with food, their bodies, and themselves.

Releasing Toxic Beliefs: Breaking Free from Old Patterns

Helen discusses how many women unknowingly hold limiting beliefs about food and weight. “The most damaging beliefs are often the ones we don’t even recognize,” she says. Some of the most common toxic beliefs Helen encounters include:

• “It’s not possible for me to make changes.”
• “My weight is the problem.”
• “I’m out of control around food.”

By shifting the focus away from these negative beliefs, women begin to feel more empowered. “Real change doesn’t necessarily come from trying harder—it comes from addressing underlying causes,” Helen emphasizes. When toxic beliefs are released, it becomes easier to tune into the body’s true needs, allowing lasting transformation to unfold.

Trusting Your Body Again: Listening to the Signals

One of the core principles of the Energetic Eating Method is learning to trust your body again. Helen explains that the process begins by paying attention to the subtle signals your body sends. These signals include thoughts, mood, digestion, energy levels, and making conscious choices. For example, feeling irritable or anxious could be linked to a blood sugar imbalance or lack of sleep, rather than just a bad mood. By listening to these signals, women can make more informed choices that support well-being while also strengthening their connection with their bodies.

Mindset: The Foundation of Transformation

Helen believes that mindset plays a critical role in lasting change. She emphasizes that our thoughts influence our reality. “It takes time and effort to meal prep, cook, and exercise, but a shift in thought can happen more quickly,” she says. When women shift their negative thought patterns, it changes how they approach food, exercise, and even their perception of themselves. “True transformation isn’t just physical—it’s energetic,” Helen explains. Mindset is the first step toward shifting that energy, and everything else follows from there.

Exercise and Eating: Moving from Struggle to Joy

For Helen, health doesn’t need to be a struggle. She encourages women to connect their daily habits to a deeper purpose. “When your ‘why’ is strong enough—like having the energy to pursue your purpose or feeling free in your body—health no longer feels like a chore; it becomes essential,” she says. Exercise and healthy eating then become joyful, non-negotiable habits. “When you start to feel the shifts—more energy, confidence, and peace—it becomes something you want to keep doing.”

Small Shifts for Big Impact

Helen advocates for small, sustainable changes that build momentum over time. “Stop thinking of health as something you’ll ‘get to’ someday—and start treating it as something you live through daily choices,” she says. Simple adjustments—such as improving your bedtime routine or stocking your kitchen with nourishing foods—can have a significant impact on your energy and well-being. These micro-adjustments help build self-trust, setting the foundation for long-term success.

Meaningful Changes: Beyond Just Weight Loss

The transformations Helen has witnessed in her clients extend beyond just physical changes. “Many of the women I work with grew up in households where dieting was the norm, and they were taught to distrust their bodies,” she shares. Through the Energetic Eating Method, women heal emotional wounds, rebuild self-confidence, and transform their lives. Helen has seen clients not only release weight but also leave toxic relationships, pursue new careers, and rediscover their sense of self. “It’s not just about weight loss—it’s about reclaiming your life,” she says.

A Holistic Approach: Healing Beyond Traditional Diets

Helen’s approach differs from traditional diets, which often focus on calorie counts or meal plans. Instead, Energetic Eating starts with energy healing and integrative nutrition, identifying root causes of stress and addressing diet trauma. By reconnecting with their bodies, women heal from the inside out. “This method brings you back home to yourself,” says Helen. “That’s when change becomes sustainable—not because you’re following a program, but because you’ve reconnected with your own power.”

The Core Message: True Freedom Comes from Trust, Not Dieting

If there’s one key takeaway from Energetic Eating, it’s this: lasting transformation doesn’t come from dieting, willpower, or self-criticism. It comes from trust, self-compassion, and healing. “There are two paths available to women seeking lasting change,” Helen says. “One is paved with dieting and restriction, and the other is built on trust, self-compassion, and sustainable shifts. The second path leads to true freedom—not just in how we eat, but in how we view ourselves and our potential.”

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and reflects the personal experiences and insights of Helen Birney, founder of the Energetic Eating Method. The views and opinions expressed are based on her journey and professional practices, and do not constitute medical, nutritional, or therapeutic advice. Readers should consult with a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making any changes to their diet, exercise, or health regimen. This article does not guarantee specific outcomes and is intended to offer guidance and support for those seeking personal transformation through the Energetic Eating Method.