I Chose Discipline Over Dopamine: How I Rewired My Life Through Food
- Zahra Khan
- Jun 17
- 2 min read
In 2023, at just 24 years old, I went in for a routine check-up. But when my lab results came back and showed I was pre-diabetic, I froze.
Add to that, my skin had been breaking out for months, no matter what product I used or how clean I tried to eat.
The message was clear: my body was begging for a reset.
They said, “It runs in the family.” But I said, not in mine. Not anymore.
The Start Was Brutal, No Sugarcoating It (Literally)
Giving up sugar, fried foods, processed snacks, coffee…It wasn’t just a diet shift, it was a whole grief process.
These foods were part of my comfort, my culture, my coping.
But what helped? Ramadan.
Fasting taught me that hunger wasn’t my enemy, impulsivity was.
I noticed most of my worst food decisions happened:
When I was starving
When I had no time to cook
When I had trash in the pantry and no plan
So I cleaned my house.
Literally.
I threw away everything that didn’t serve the version of me I was trying to become.
I Gave Up Comfort for Clarity
Now I eat:
Low carb
High protein
No added sugar
No coffee (yup.)
No fried food
And guess what?
I’m not just healing my gut or clearing my skin, I’m rewiring my brain.
Discipline over dopamine.
Peace over short-term pleasure.
And Here’s the Part I Never Thought I’d Write This Early...
As of May 8th, 2025, I am no longer pre-diabetic.
Let that sink in.
Not because I found some magic solution.
But because I chose discipline over convenience, daily.
And that’s what most people don’t tell you: It’s not one big moment.
It’s thousands of little decisions every single day.
Even While Traveling, I Don’t Compromise
Work takes me to different cities, airports, meetings, and hotel rooms.
But no matter where I am, I’m intentional about what goes into my body.
I ask for customized meals.
I skip the complimentary desserts.
I read menus like I read labels aka carefully.
I say no, even when everyone else is saying yes.
Not because I’m extreme.
But because I know what happens when I don’t choose discipline.
I’ve lived that version of me and I’m not going back.
Comfort is easy. But clarity takes effort.
And that’s what I fight for.
This Was Never Just About Food
This was about living with intention.
I was tired of running on autopilot, tired of making choices that didn’t align with the life I said I wanted.
I want clarity.
Energy.
A clear face.
A focused mind.
A healthy future.
And every single bite is either helping me get there or pulling me back.
Final Thought
I didn’t do this to lose weight or be extra.
I did this to gain clarity, energy, and control.
And while I’m still on the journey, one thing is for sure:
“This isn’t a diet. It’s self-respect in action.”
Until next time, Peace ⭐️
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