Intuitive Eating | What it Is & How to Implement It
This post first appeared in September of 2018
what is intuitive eating
If you’re like mean, then you’ve tried every “diet” under the sun.
Paleo, keto, vegan, you name, chances are, I tried it.
As soon as I heard it, I’d hop right on the bandwagon, only to discover later that I just couldn’t stay on that wagon.
Here’s why - I love food.
All types of food - salads, tacos, pizza, cucumber, tomatoes, wine.
So the second I’d tell myself “Okay Veronica, no more bread/wine/cheese”, my brain seemed to only want what it couldn’t have.
I’d fight it the urge, maybe to crave after a day, or a week, but I’d always cave.
& cave hard. I’m talking a whole bottle of wine or almost entire pizza.
& then I’d find myself swimming in the pool of regret, self-shaming, and wondering how I could be so weak??
Why I Was Doing This to Myself
Having studied exercise and health for all my adulthood & being a fitness professional, I felt like there was this pressure to always be on my A Game.
More people would take me seriously if I had a 6-pack.
Now I know that’s not true, but tell that to a stubborn 25 year old - I wouldn’t believe you!
What is Intuitive Eating?
IE (intuitive eating) is a style of eating that has to do with connecting your mind & body with it’s hunger cues.
It removes the emotions & labels from eating - guilt, shame, good vs bad food
It helps reestablish trust around food.
How To & My IE Experience
In all honestly, I didn’t even know “intuitive eating”, or IE, was even a thing until a couple months ago.
But I was unknowingly practicing it for the past 7 months!
All because I made a commitment to myself to be more mindful in all areas of my life.
I just took it one meal at a time.
I removed distractions from meal time (no phone, computer, TV)
& I just listened to my body.
I learned what it was like to feel full, but not uncomfortable.
I learned what it was like to not feel hungry
I learned to listen to what my cravings were telling me
& then honored them, guilt free!
Of course, I wasn’t perfect.
& it took a few weeks to really learn what my body was telling me.
But the payoff (no longer feeling guilt or restricted) was WELL worth it (see below for my progress!)
My IE Results
I started this all on Jan. 15, 2018.
I weighed myself, took body measurements, and pictures.
Seven months later, on Aug. 16, I did the same thing.
Here were my results:
Weight: + 6.8lb
Hips: +0.5”
Butt: +1.5”
Waist: no change
Arms: no change
Thighs: -0.5”
Chest: +1”
On paper, my results might scare you, but check out the pictures!
This is a prime example of why progress pictures are so important!
I’m so happy with my results!
But the thing that I am most proud of?
Finally discovering a lifestyle that works for me!
Is Intuitive Eating Right for Me?
It very well could be!
IE might be something you want to explore if:
you’re tired of trying every diet under the sun
you want to reframe your mindset when it comes to food & the way you eat
you want to become more mindful with how you eat
you want to try something new
you don’t like counting calories or macros
You might want to pass on IE if:
you like trying new diets
you like the structure that a specific eating plan gives you
you do find with food restrictions AKA you have more self-control than me
No matter what you choose to do, you have to do what ever works best FOR YOU.
So sit on it, think about it..
Could IE be the approach you’ve been waiting for?
There’s only one way to find out..
Chat Soon,
Veronica
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash