Re: First week feedback

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen,

What great insight!!! I started IE on 10/25 and did pretty well, I

think for the first few days, although I have admittedly been very

scared. Yep, I am scared of food. I am having a really difficult

time letting go of my 20-year-old diet mentality. This is presenting

itself in various forms. Here are my biggest issues at the moment,

although I think being aware of them is already a step in the right

direction:

- My focus is still too much on weight loss, even though I would be

ok to stay at my present weight for months, so as long as I can

workout out my war with food.

- I still have an urge to weigh (directly related to above) on nearly

a daily basis (used to weigh twice a day over the course of the past

year).

- I am afraid to eat the foods I think I want.

- I am not really sure what foods I do want. I think I have, over

the course of many years, confused my body and my mind and am having

a hard time finding out what it is that I really desire to eat.

- I am not trusting my physical hunger. While aware, I am waiting

too long to eat (a few times until I had a headache and couldn't

concentrate - clearly too long) and am letting myself get too hungry.

Some of the things above might be directly related to the fact that I

have several dr. appointments coming up over the next 10 days. I

know I have gained weight since my last visit and am dreading

the 'you-must-loose-weight' speach. I think this might be what is

making it difficult for me to let go of the diet mentality.

It does also show, how much it is that the outside (of my body) is

influencing me, rather than MY mind and MY body.

I think at this point it is important that I claim MY mind and MY

body.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the cookies. I am not there

yet, but am sure will get there soon.

Katja

>

> I dropped the whole dieting thing on Monday, Oct 23 - and this is

what happened.

> I had big fun with the food on Monday... had no problem waiting

until I was hungry, selected

> what most appealed to me, paid attention while I ate it and easily

stopped as soon as the hunger

> was gone. I did great through most of Tuesday... then Tuesday night

I wanted another cookie after

> the hunger had faded.. I had a few.. noticeed they tasted not so

great, noticed my stomach did not

> like the proportion of cookie to other food... did not feel

fabulous in the morning, but trusted

> the hunger when it came and had two really easy with food days for

Wednesday and Thursday. I

> noticed I seemingly could not get in enough protein - it was first

on my list each time I got

> hungry.. still wanting a cookie for a sweet at the end. Also

noticed that the eating was a deep,

> deep pleasure.. I almost feel guilty enjoying my food this much. I

noticed that the more I enjoy

> my food, the less I seem to need or want to eat. I also noticed

some sour stomach and heartburn

> when I ended with a cookie... or a half a cookie. I noticed a

growing frustration with that.

> Friday was fine, until late afternoon and evening when I had

cookies when not hungry. I paid

> attention, ate them consciously and boy even cookies are not good

when I am full.. they taste

> greasy. I felt pouty Saturday.. and noticed thoughts of what I

could do about this... I determined

> that the only way I would really know that cookies were always

going to be okay when I wanted them

> was to have PLENTY here. So, I took myself to the store and got

three big bags of my favorite

> cookies. I was okay until I stood in line to pay. I suddenly felt

huge, way fat and kept

> projecting the thoughts that clerk must be having as she checked me

out.. she was very slim. I

> carried my cookies home and had some at the next meal. Then found

myself eating cookies whenever

> I was hungry... and then when I wasn't. Again I was painfully aware

how unfun they are when I am

> not hungry, and how gross they are when I am full. I marvelled that

at one time in the distant

> past I would eat a half a big bag with milk while watching TV and

not notice the taste,

> satisfaction, how full I was, or the result afterwards. I was

spared nothing this time. I felt

> pretty greasy and full... not stuffed.. no, I could not go there

being conscious.. not that I

> wanted to, but it was impossible being aware of each bite. And I

stopped eating cookies finally. I

> slept and woke up on Sunday feeling the cookies... feeling all the

effects in my body, and

> comparing that to how I felt on the days I stopped at enough... and

I realized I really prefer the

> lighter feeling. I like feeling looser in my body, not lethargic.

Not sleepy, just fed, energetic

> and ready to work, do chores or whatever. I also realized that part

of setting myself free of the

> diet rules is letting fruit and veggies be as enticing a choice as

any of the treat and sweet

> foods... In other words, because I can choos from all foods, that

allows me to REALLY consult my

> body for each bite.. yes, how it tastes, but also how it feels in

my mouth, stomach and body

> later... how it makes me feel. And cookies as a meal makes me feel

not so great in my stomach and

> later. I think I was again testing myself. I passed.. because I am

clearer now more than ever that

> dieting and I have parted ways forever. I ate a wide variety of

foods yesterday including some

> candy at the movies. The big surprise was that I found myself

choosing not to eat sweets today...

> I thought about them, considered, but truly desired the protien,

breads, veg and fruit that I ate.

> And I feel the difference in my body and mind. It feels like deeper

freedom. Halloween and it

> never even crossed my mind to have some of that candy! Not once! I

can choose to have it anytime I

> really truly want it - like at the movies before the picture

begins, so there is no rush. I can

> wait for the real desire and then really enjoy it.

> I told my little sister about this and she immediately started

making plans for me.. I could just

> choose 'good foods' and take off X amount of weight in two months..

I was grinning like an idiot

> on the other end of the phone. I did not try and tell her that I

was approaching myself from the

> other side now... and would not be making new rules. She will see

when the results show on my

> body.

> Now, this may not be Intuitive Eating protocol... I am certainly

open to any corrections ,

> meanwhile my new copy of the book is on it's way to me. I did begin

reading it about 8 months ago,

> but was still caught up in the latest diet I was doing and passed

it on to a friend.. so this will

> be a fresh read, I am sure.

> I guess I had a lot to say. If it was too much, please LMK.

> Best,

> LN

>

[Guest guest]

Ellen,

Marvelous. You are doing

simply marvelous. I loved reading your letter. I just want to give

a little advice. Print off what you wrote and keep it. It will be a

good thing to read when those nagging thoughts start to creep in and distract

you from IE. Please don’t think that you will release weight

quickly, because you probably won’t. This is a change in habits and

the weight usually drops slowly. But it is steady, and this time next

year you will be thinner if you stick to your commitment.

Great job and good luck,

Vicki

From: IntuitiveEating_Support [mailto:IntuitiveEating_Support ] On Behalf Of Ellen

Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006

10:58 AM

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Subject:

First week feedback

I dropped

the whole dieting thing on Monday, Oct 23 - and this is what happened.

I had big fun with the food on Monday... had no problem waiting until I was

hungry, selected

what most appealed to me, paid attention while I ate it and easily stopped as

soon as the hunger

was gone. I did great through most of Tuesday... then Tuesday night I wanted

another cookie after

the hunger had faded.. I had a few.. noticeed they tasted not so great, noticed

my stomach did not

like the proportion of cookie to other food... did not feel fabulous in the

morning, but trusted

the hunger when it came and had two really easy with food days for Wednesday

and Thursday. I

noticed I seemingly could not get in enough protein - it was first on my list

each time I got

hungry.. still wanting a cookie for a sweet at the end. Also noticed that the

eating was a deep,

deep pleasure.. I almost feel guilty enjoying my food this much. I noticed that

the more I enjoy

my food, the less I seem to need or want to eat. I also noticed some sour stomach

and heartburn

when I ended with a cookie... or a half a cookie. I noticed a growing

frustration with that.

Friday was fine, until late afternoon and evening when I had cookies when not

hungry. I paid

attention, ate them consciously and boy even cookies are not good when I am

full.. they taste

greasy. I felt pouty Saturday.. and noticed thoughts of what I could do about

this... I determined

that the only way I would really know that cookies were always going to be okay

when I wanted them

was to have PLENTY here. So, I took myself to the store and got three big bags

of my favorite

cookies. I was okay until I stood in line to pay. I suddenly felt huge, way fat

and kept

projecting the thoughts that clerk must be having as she checked me out.. she

was very slim. I

carried my cookies home and had some at the next meal. Then found myself eating

cookies whenever

I was hungry... and then when I wasn't. Again I was painfully aware how unfun

they are when I am

not hungry, and how gross they are when I am full. I marvelled that at one time

in the distant

past I would eat a half a big bag with milk while watching TV and not notice

the taste,

satisfaction, how full I was, or the result afterwards. I was spared nothing

this time. I felt

pretty greasy and full... not stuffed.. no, I could not go there being

conscious.. not that I

wanted to, but it was impossible being aware of each bite. And I stopped eating

cookies finally. I

slept and woke up on Sunday feeling the cookies... feeling all the effects in

my body, and

comparing that to how I felt on the days I stopped at enough... and I realized

I really prefer the

lighter feeling. I like feeling looser in my body, not lethargic. Not sleepy,

just fed, energetic

and ready to work, do chores or whatever. I also realized that part of setting

myself free of the

diet rules is letting fruit and veggies be as enticing a choice as any of the

treat and sweet

foods... In other words, because I can choos from all foods, that allows me to

REALLY consult my

body for each bite.. yes, how it tastes, but also how it feels in my mouth,

stomach and body

later... how it makes me feel. And cookies as a meal makes me feel not so great

in my stomach and

later. I think I was again testing myself. I passed.. because I am clearer now

more than ever that

dieting and I have parted ways forever. I ate a wide variety of foods yesterday

including some

candy at the movies. The big surprise was that I found myself choosing not to

eat sweets today...

I thought about them, considered, but truly desired the protien, breads, veg

and fruit that I ate.

And I feel the difference in my body and mind. It feels like deeper freedom.

Halloween and it

never even crossed my mind to have some of that candy! Not once! I can choose

to have it anytime I

really truly want it - like at the movies before the picture begins, so there

is no rush. I can

wait for the real desire and then really enjoy it.

I told my little sister about this and she immediately started making plans for

me.. I could just

choose 'good foods' and take off X amount of weight in two months.. I was

grinning like an idiot

on the other end of the phone. I did not try and tell her that I was

approaching myself from the

other side now... and would not be making new rules. She will see when the

results show on my

body.

Now, this may not be Intuitive Eating protocol... I am certainly open to any

corrections ,

meanwhile my new copy of the book is on it's way to me. I did begin reading it

about 8 months ago,

but was still caught up in the latest diet I was doing and passed it on to a

friend.. so this will

be a fresh read, I am sure.

I guess I had a lot to say. If it was too much, please LMK.

Best,

LN

[Guest guest]

Ellen - thanks for sharing! It's great to hear everyone's experiences. My experiences so far this week: I think I've been following Intuitive Eating for about 2 1/2 weeks now. I weighed myself on Monday, and I had lost about 3lbs, which was great, but the really great thing is that I didn't think "Oh, I should reward myself with some cheesecake" or "Oh, if I start eating even healthier, think of the weight I could lose" Instead, I was satisfied and definitely inspired to continue on. On Saturday I went to a wedding, and the dessert was chocolate mousse. I ate it very slowly, and a friend commented that I was being so good by eating it slowly and savoring it. That made me realize that although I was eating it slowly, I wasn't savoring it because I don't really like chocolate mousse. So i stopped eating it and gave it away. Yesterday I felt like I had several victories - I wanted pop tarts for breakfast, so I had them. Instead of eating 2 (because there are 2 in a package) I ate 1 plus a piece of the other. I then realized that the pop tarts didn't taste as good as when I started, so I stopped. Then for lunch, I had a microwaveable meal, which I did not finish - and again, I usually finish off the container simply because it's there. Then for dinner, my roommate made mac & cheese - last time she made it I took 3 huge servings because it tasted good, and then I felt sick. But yesterday I took several small servings - I probably still ate more than I needed to to satisfy my hunger, but I was not stuffed or even full afterwards. It truly was a great feeling. It's nice to be able to share these things with people who understand. Although my other roommate doesn't diet per se, she does have these

food rules which she is trying to follow, such as finding foods that follow the 2g of fiber/90 calories rule. It's nice not to worry about rules like that. There is a little voice in the back of my head that tells me I need to be better about eating fruit and vegetables. And hopefully in time I'll start to crave them. But for now I'm going to determine what I really want to eat and have that. anyways, just wanted to share. :)SaraEllen wrote: I dropped the whole dieting thing on Monday, Oct 23 - and this is what happened.I had big fun with the food on Monday... had no problem waiting until I was hungry, selectedwhat most appealed to me, paid attention while I ate it and easily stopped as soon as the hungerwas gone. I did great through most of Tuesday... then Tuesday night I wanted another cookie afterthe hunger had faded.. I had a few.. noticeed they tasted not so great, noticed my stomach did notlike the proportion of cookie to other food... did not feel fabulous in the morning, but trustedthe hunger when it came and had two really easy with food days for Wednesday and Thursday. Inoticed I seemingly could not get in enough protein - it was first on my list each time I gothungry.. still wanting a cookie for a sweet at the end. Also noticed that the eating was a deep,deep pleasure.. I almost feel

guilty enjoying my food this much. I noticed that the more I enjoymy food, the less I seem to need or want to eat. I also noticed some sour stomach and heartburnwhen I ended with a cookie... or a half a cookie. I noticed a growing frustration with that.Friday was fine, until late afternoon and evening when I had cookies when not hungry. I paidattention, ate them consciously and boy even cookies are not good when I am full.. they tastegreasy. I felt pouty Saturday.. and noticed thoughts of what I could do about this... I determinedthat the only way I would really know that cookies were always going to be okay when I wanted themwas to have PLENTY here. So, I took myself to the store and got three big bags of my favoritecookies. I was okay until I stood in line to pay. I suddenly felt huge, way fat and keptprojecting the thoughts that clerk must be having as she checked me out.. she was very slim. Icarried my cookies home and had some

at the next meal. Then found myself eating cookies wheneverI was hungry... and then when I wasn't. Again I was painfully aware how unfun they are when I amnot hungry, and how gross they are when I am full. I marvelled that at one time in the distantpast I would eat a half a big bag with milk while watching TV and not notice the taste,satisfaction, how full I was, or the result afterwards. I was spared nothing this time. I feltpretty greasy and full... not stuffed.. no, I could not go there being conscious.. not that Iwanted to, but it was impossible being aware of each bite. And I stopped eating cookies finally. Islept and woke up on Sunday feeling the cookies... feeling all the effects in my body, andcomparing that to how I felt on the days I stopped at enough... and I realized I really prefer thelighter feeling. I like feeling looser in my body, not lethargic. Not sleepy, just fed, energeticand ready to work, do chores or whatever.

I also realized that part of setting myself free of thediet rules is letting fruit and veggies be as enticing a choice as any of the treat and sweetfoods... In other words, because I can choos from all foods, that allows me to REALLY consult mybody for each bite.. yes, how it tastes, but also how it feels in my mouth, stomach and bodylater... how it makes me feel. And cookies as a meal makes me feel not so great in my stomach andlater. I think I was again testing myself. I passed.. because I am clearer now more than ever thatdieting and I have parted ways forever. I ate a wide variety of foods yesterday including somecandy at the movies. The big surprise was that I found myself choosing not to eat sweets today...I thought about them, considered, but truly desired the protien, breads, veg and fruit that I ate.And I feel the difference in my body and mind. It feels like deeper freedom. Halloween and itnever even crossed my mind to have

some of that candy! Not once! I can choose to have it anytime Ireally truly want it - like at the movies before the picture begins, so there is no rush. I canwait for the real desire and then really enjoy it. I told my little sister about this and she immediately started making plans for me.. I could justchoose 'good foods' and take off X amount of weight in two months.. I was grinning like an idioton the other end of the phone. I did not try and tell her that I was approaching myself from theother side now... and would not be making new rules. She will see when the results show on mybody. Now, this may not be Intuitive Eating protocol... I am certainly open to any corrections ,meanwhile my new copy of the book is on it's way to me. I did begin reading it about 8 months ago,but was still caught up in the latest diet I was doing and passed it on to a friend.. so this willbe a fresh read, I am sure.I guess I had a lot to say.

If it was too much, please LMK. Best,LN

Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail.

[Guest guest]

Ellen - thanks for sharing! It's great to hear everyone's experiences. My experiences so far this week: I think I've been following Intuitive Eating for about 2 1/2 weeks now. I weighed myself on Monday, and I had lost about 3lbs, which was great, but the really great thing is that I didn't think "Oh, I should reward myself with some cheesecake" or "Oh, if I start eating even healthier, think of the weight I could lose" Instead, I was satisfied and definitely inspired to continue on. On Saturday I went to a wedding, and the dessert was chocolate mousse. I ate it very slowly, and a friend commented that I was being so good by eating it slowly and savoring it. That made me realize that although I was eating it slowly, I wasn't savoring it because I don't really like chocolate mousse. So i stopped eating it and gave it away. Yesterday I felt like I had several victories - I wanted pop tarts for breakfast, so I had them. Instead of eating 2 (because there are 2 in a package) I ate 1 plus a piece of the other. I then realized that the pop tarts didn't taste as good as when I started, so I stopped. Then for lunch, I had a microwaveable meal, which I did not finish - and again, I usually finish off the container simply because it's there. Then for dinner, my roommate made mac & cheese - last time she made it I took 3 huge servings because it tasted good, and then I felt sick. But yesterday I took several small servings - I probably still ate more than I needed to to satisfy my hunger, but I was not stuffed or even full afterwards. It truly was a great feeling. It's nice to be able to share these things with people who understand. Although my other roommate doesn't diet per se, she does have these

food rules which she is trying to follow, such as finding foods that follow the 2g of fiber/90 calories rule. It's nice not to worry about rules like that. There is a little voice in the back of my head that tells me I need to be better about eating fruit and vegetables. And hopefully in time I'll start to crave them. But for now I'm going to determine what I really want to eat and have that. anyways, just wanted to share. :)SaraEllen wrote: I dropped the whole dieting thing on Monday, Oct 23 - and this is what happened.I had big fun with the food on Monday... had no problem waiting until I was hungry, selectedwhat most appealed to me, paid attention while I ate it and easily stopped as soon as the hungerwas gone. I did great through most of Tuesday... then Tuesday night I wanted another cookie afterthe hunger had faded.. I had a few.. noticeed they tasted not so great, noticed my stomach did notlike the proportion of cookie to other food... did not feel fabulous in the morning, but trustedthe hunger when it came and had two really easy with food days for Wednesday and Thursday. Inoticed I seemingly could not get in enough protein - it was first on my list each time I gothungry.. still wanting a cookie for a sweet at the end. Also noticed that the eating was a deep,deep pleasure.. I almost feel

guilty enjoying my food this much. I noticed that the more I enjoymy food, the less I seem to need or want to eat. I also noticed some sour stomach and heartburnwhen I ended with a cookie... or a half a cookie. I noticed a growing frustration with that.Friday was fine, until late afternoon and evening when I had cookies when not hungry. I paidattention, ate them consciously and boy even cookies are not good when I am full.. they tastegreasy. I felt pouty Saturday.. and noticed thoughts of what I could do about this... I determinedthat the only way I would really know that cookies were always going to be okay when I wanted themwas to have PLENTY here. So, I took myself to the store and got three big bags of my favoritecookies. I was okay until I stood in line to pay. I suddenly felt huge, way fat and keptprojecting the thoughts that clerk must be having as she checked me out.. she was very slim. Icarried my cookies home and had some

at the next meal. Then found myself eating cookies wheneverI was hungry... and then when I wasn't. Again I was painfully aware how unfun they are when I amnot hungry, and how gross they are when I am full. I marvelled that at one time in the distantpast I would eat a half a big bag with milk while watching TV and not notice the taste,satisfaction, how full I was, or the result afterwards. I was spared nothing this time. I feltpretty greasy and full... not stuffed.. no, I could not go there being conscious.. not that Iwanted to, but it was impossible being aware of each bite. And I stopped eating cookies finally. Islept and woke up on Sunday feeling the cookies... feeling all the effects in my body, andcomparing that to how I felt on the days I stopped at enough... and I realized I really prefer thelighter feeling. I like feeling looser in my body, not lethargic. Not sleepy, just fed, energeticand ready to work, do chores or whatever.

I also realized that part of setting myself free of thediet rules is letting fruit and veggies be as enticing a choice as any of the treat and sweetfoods... In other words, because I can choos from all foods, that allows me to REALLY consult mybody for each bite.. yes, how it tastes, but also how it feels in my mouth, stomach and bodylater... how it makes me feel. And cookies as a meal makes me feel not so great in my stomach andlater. I think I was again testing myself. I passed.. because I am clearer now more than ever thatdieting and I have parted ways forever. I ate a wide variety of foods yesterday including somecandy at the movies. The big surprise was that I found myself choosing not to eat sweets today...I thought about them, considered, but truly desired the protien, breads, veg and fruit that I ate.And I feel the difference in my body and mind. It feels like deeper freedom. Halloween and itnever even crossed my mind to have

some of that candy! Not once! I can choose to have it anytime Ireally truly want it - like at the movies before the picture begins, so there is no rush. I canwait for the real desire and then really enjoy it. I told my little sister about this and she immediately started making plans for me.. I could justchoose 'good foods' and take off X amount of weight in two months.. I was grinning like an idioton the other end of the phone. I did not try and tell her that I was approaching myself from theother side now... and would not be making new rules. She will see when the results show on mybody. Now, this may not be Intuitive Eating protocol... I am certainly open to any corrections ,meanwhile my new copy of the book is on it's way to me. I did begin reading it about 8 months ago,but was still caught up in the latest diet I was doing and passed it on to a friend.. so this willbe a fresh read, I am sure.I guess I had a lot to say.

If it was too much, please LMK. Best,LN

Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail.