Anonymous asked:
Hi, I’m new to the concept of intuitive eating and have some questions. I’m pretty sure I’ve struggled with an undiagnosed ED for several years. I’m concerned that I generally eat in an unhealthy way. I’m tired of battling my appetite all the time, but how do I know what to eat and when? I find it hard to tell when I’m really hungry vs. when I just think I am. I am exercising regularly as well. Also, will my body naturally lose the excess fat I have? Thanks!
Answer:
Thank you for your questions! I will answer them in order:
1) How do I know what to eat and when?
You just have to trust your body. I know that sounds simplistic, but it’s true. Trusting your body isn’t easy at first – you have to learn to listen to it – but that’s where the principles of Intuitive Eating come into play! Start listening/feeling for your hunger queues and when you feel the hunger urge come along, stop and take a moment and think about what you really want to eat in that moment – and then do your best to fill that craving. I wrote on this in my Eating Guidelines series, here is the link:
http://honouringappetite.wordpress.com/2013/09/09/eat-what-you-want/
2) How do I know when I’m hungry?
I wrote about this, too: http://honouringappetite.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/theat-when-you-are-hungry— you have to learn to listen to your body and really listen for those hungry/fullness queues. It takes time and practise, but it will come.
3) Will my body naturally lose fat?
Intuitive Eating isn’t about weightloss or weight gain. It’s about allowing your body (and mind) to return to it’s natural state of feeding itself with the goal of self-preservation. This means that over time, your body will reach and maintain your natural, healthy weight. This may come from weight loss or weight gain or no weight change at all – I can’t guarantee which it will be, but I can guarantee that body satisfaction will come with it whether your body changes or it doesn’t – because at the end of the day it’s not about changing your body; it’s about changing your thoughts.
I hope this helps!
As always, I recommend reading “Intuitive Eating” (the official book” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch and any (and all) of Geneen Roth’s books.
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Twitter: @lauren_b_sag