Re: Multitasking

[Guest guest]

When I first started IE, in order to keep my focus on the food, I wrote down the colors, smells, textures, tastes, emotions, etc.  as I was eating.  Granted this may be seen as multitasking, it did keep all those other distracting thoughts away.  Now that I don't do that anymore, I find my mind is anywhere but on the food, the eating experience itself, but wanders and thinks of everything.  " monkey mind " it is sometimes called. And I no longer am enjoying my meals.  It is time for me to return to that practice until I can totally focus on my meal. You brought up such an interesting point, that food is so much on my mind too, but when I eat I don't even think about it. Sandy

 

Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer. I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this. It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and " efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating. I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

[Guest guest]

When I first started IE, in order to keep my focus on the food, I wrote down the colors, smells, textures, tastes, emotions, etc.  as I was eating.  Granted this may be seen as multitasking, it did keep all those other distracting thoughts away.  Now that I don't do that anymore, I find my mind is anywhere but on the food, the eating experience itself, but wanders and thinks of everything.  " monkey mind " it is sometimes called. And I no longer am enjoying my meals.  It is time for me to return to that practice until I can totally focus on my meal. You brought up such an interesting point, that food is so much on my mind too, but when I eat I don't even think about it. Sandy

 

Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer. I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this. It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and " efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating. I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

[Guest guest]

When I first started IE, in order to keep my focus on the food, I wrote down the colors, smells, textures, tastes, emotions, etc.  as I was eating.  Granted this may be seen as multitasking, it did keep all those other distracting thoughts away.  Now that I don't do that anymore, I find my mind is anywhere but on the food, the eating experience itself, but wanders and thinks of everything.  " monkey mind " it is sometimes called. And I no longer am enjoying my meals.  It is time for me to return to that practice until I can totally focus on my meal. You brought up such an interesting point, that food is so much on my mind too, but when I eat I don't even think about it. Sandy

 

Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer. I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this. It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and " efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating. I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

[Guest guest]

I have a really really hard time with this too. It's perhaps the hardest thing,

but I KNOW that when I do other things when I eat that I eat too much, that I

want to keep eating because the eatin+other activity is really enjoyable. I'm

really trying to divorce eating from activities that really don't have anything

to do with food. I've been doing IE for three and a half months, and it is

STILL hard. Every single time I sit down to eat, if I'm eating alone, I want to

pull up a book or a magazine or the newspaper or a cookbook, and I have to

consciously, laboriously even, to not do it. And I mostly have succeeded, and

in doing so, have been much better able to be mindful when I'm eating, and thus

better recognize when I'm full, or satisfied, or even bored. When I am bored

with eating, it's probably time to stop.

Tilley

>

> Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can

be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer.

I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this.

It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't

want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and

" efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I

find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating.

I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really

understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

>

[Guest guest]

I have a really really hard time with this too. It's perhaps the hardest thing,

but I KNOW that when I do other things when I eat that I eat too much, that I

want to keep eating because the eatin+other activity is really enjoyable. I'm

really trying to divorce eating from activities that really don't have anything

to do with food. I've been doing IE for three and a half months, and it is

STILL hard. Every single time I sit down to eat, if I'm eating alone, I want to

pull up a book or a magazine or the newspaper or a cookbook, and I have to

consciously, laboriously even, to not do it. And I mostly have succeeded, and

in doing so, have been much better able to be mindful when I'm eating, and thus

better recognize when I'm full, or satisfied, or even bored. When I am bored

with eating, it's probably time to stop.

Tilley

>

> Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can

be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer.

I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this.

It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't

want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and

" efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I

find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating.

I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really

understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

>

[Guest guest]

I have a really really hard time with this too. It's perhaps the hardest thing,

but I KNOW that when I do other things when I eat that I eat too much, that I

want to keep eating because the eatin+other activity is really enjoyable. I'm

really trying to divorce eating from activities that really don't have anything

to do with food. I've been doing IE for three and a half months, and it is

STILL hard. Every single time I sit down to eat, if I'm eating alone, I want to

pull up a book or a magazine or the newspaper or a cookbook, and I have to

consciously, laboriously even, to not do it. And I mostly have succeeded, and

in doing so, have been much better able to be mindful when I'm eating, and thus

better recognize when I'm full, or satisfied, or even bored. When I am bored

with eating, it's probably time to stop.

Tilley

>

> Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can

be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer.

I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this.

It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't

want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and

" efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I

find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating.

I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really

understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

>

[Guest guest]

I like the idea of fitting in IE principles with the cultural/social aspects of food. I don't think we should be slaves to how we are "supposed" to eat, like 3 meals a day, etc. -- but some of the rituals and traditions around food are really sustaining, especially around the holidays. But the trap we get into is the habit and idea that we NEED to eat when we are social, at a party, etc. whether we are hungry or not. How do we address this?

As for paying attention to the food, I think experimenting with different methods is in order. I have been trying to eat slower, enjoy every bite before taking the next, etc. I can usually do this while having a family dinner or out at a restaurant with friends, but sometimes I get distracted and forget. But with practice, I am hoping to become better at it and get to enjoy both the food and the company.

Mimi

Subject: MultitaskingTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2011, 1:51 AM

Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer. I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this. It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be "productive" and "efficient" while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating. I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

[Guest guest]

I like the idea of fitting in IE principles with the cultural/social aspects of food. I don't think we should be slaves to how we are "supposed" to eat, like 3 meals a day, etc. -- but some of the rituals and traditions around food are really sustaining, especially around the holidays. But the trap we get into is the habit and idea that we NEED to eat when we are social, at a party, etc. whether we are hungry or not. How do we address this?

As for paying attention to the food, I think experimenting with different methods is in order. I have been trying to eat slower, enjoy every bite before taking the next, etc. I can usually do this while having a family dinner or out at a restaurant with friends, but sometimes I get distracted and forget. But with practice, I am hoping to become better at it and get to enjoy both the food and the company.

Mimi

Subject: MultitaskingTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2011, 1:51 AM

Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer. I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this. It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be "productive" and "efficient" while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating. I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

[Guest guest]

This is a very valid and common concern when learning IE. I see that several

have replied and I will add that I too am a 'multitasker' type too. I still have

my coffee while on my computer when I first get up in the morning. This pleases

me and when I think about it is most likely a left over from years and years of

working at a job where time was limited and multitasking necessary. I also feel

it is a deeply ingrained trait of mine which I have somehow incorporated with

self worth - I 'do' therefore I am of value/merit. Changing a life time of habit

is challenging and my usual reaction to that thought (especially in this regard)

seems to be procrastination ;-)

Mindfullness is mixed into other Principles, and I can't immediately put my

finger onto which or a single one. When I first began IE I thought I had to eat

totally aware, savoring and soon identifying my body hunger signals or somehow I

wasn't 'doing' IE. I did sit down to solo eating experiences, discovering that I

wasn't appreciating food and how I had a horrible time keeping my focus on it! I

had an appreciation of how people who live alone must feel as well as how I

wasn't someone who 'loved food' like I thought I had. The bottom line that I got

from this was how I am around food - more unconscious than aware when I eat. To

me mindfulness is a TOOL, and awareness of my multitasking has come from it.

Next step - release of multitasking?

Good topic.

Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can

be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer.

I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this.

It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't

want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and

" efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I

find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating.

I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really

understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

>

[Guest guest]

This is a very valid and common concern when learning IE. I see that several

have replied and I will add that I too am a 'multitasker' type too. I still have

my coffee while on my computer when I first get up in the morning. This pleases

me and when I think about it is most likely a left over from years and years of

working at a job where time was limited and multitasking necessary. I also feel

it is a deeply ingrained trait of mine which I have somehow incorporated with

self worth - I 'do' therefore I am of value/merit. Changing a life time of habit

is challenging and my usual reaction to that thought (especially in this regard)

seems to be procrastination ;-)

Mindfullness is mixed into other Principles, and I can't immediately put my

finger onto which or a single one. When I first began IE I thought I had to eat

totally aware, savoring and soon identifying my body hunger signals or somehow I

wasn't 'doing' IE. I did sit down to solo eating experiences, discovering that I

wasn't appreciating food and how I had a horrible time keeping my focus on it! I

had an appreciation of how people who live alone must feel as well as how I

wasn't someone who 'loved food' like I thought I had. The bottom line that I got

from this was how I am around food - more unconscious than aware when I eat. To

me mindfulness is a TOOL, and awareness of my multitasking has come from it.

Next step - release of multitasking?

Good topic.

Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can

be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer.

I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this.

It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't

want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and

" efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I

find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating.

I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really

understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

>

[Guest guest]

This is a very valid and common concern when learning IE. I see that several

have replied and I will add that I too am a 'multitasker' type too. I still have

my coffee while on my computer when I first get up in the morning. This pleases

me and when I think about it is most likely a left over from years and years of

working at a job where time was limited and multitasking necessary. I also feel

it is a deeply ingrained trait of mine which I have somehow incorporated with

self worth - I 'do' therefore I am of value/merit. Changing a life time of habit

is challenging and my usual reaction to that thought (especially in this regard)

seems to be procrastination ;-)

Mindfullness is mixed into other Principles, and I can't immediately put my

finger onto which or a single one. When I first began IE I thought I had to eat

totally aware, savoring and soon identifying my body hunger signals or somehow I

wasn't 'doing' IE. I did sit down to solo eating experiences, discovering that I

wasn't appreciating food and how I had a horrible time keeping my focus on it! I

had an appreciation of how people who live alone must feel as well as how I

wasn't someone who 'loved food' like I thought I had. The bottom line that I got

from this was how I am around food - more unconscious than aware when I eat. To

me mindfulness is a TOOL, and awareness of my multitasking has come from it.

Next step - release of multitasking?

Good topic.

Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can

be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer.

I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this.

It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't

want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and

" efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I

find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating.

I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really

understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for engaging in this conversation. As I was reading the responses,

I had a realization that for me, the reason for multitasking might be that if I

read, I am being " productive " and can take a break from everything and extend

the procrastination indefinitely while eating. If I was only to read, I would

label it procrastination, and just eating without reading is such a short moment

till I am not hungry anymore that I would not be able to " take a break "

(procrastinate).

So, that means that somehow it is not OK to just not do anything and take a

break for the sake of the break. Like I have to be productive, DO SOMETHING ALL

THE TIME.

I know that this conditioning comes from the way I watched my mother be a

'superwoman'. She did it all. And still does. She fills her time to the

maximum, often to take care of other people, who end up resenting her for it and

she resenting them.

I think I need to give myself a permission to be intuitive about how I spend my

time throughout the day. Permission to just be, do nothing, surf the net if I

want, not try to fill all my minutes with 'something' but leave them empty and

let intuition guide me what I want/need to do next. Permission to be intuitive.

Not be so goal-oriented and driven and spin my wheels that ends up depleting me.

Thank you for letting me explore this.

> >

> > Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it

can be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or

computer. I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could

explore this. It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when

eating, I don't want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be

" productive " and " efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other

people although I find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the

conversation while eating. I find that I pay attention more to the food than the

person. I don't really understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll

experience.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for engaging in this conversation. As I was reading the responses,

I had a realization that for me, the reason for multitasking might be that if I

read, I am being " productive " and can take a break from everything and extend

the procrastination indefinitely while eating. If I was only to read, I would

label it procrastination, and just eating without reading is such a short moment

till I am not hungry anymore that I would not be able to " take a break "

(procrastinate).

So, that means that somehow it is not OK to just not do anything and take a

break for the sake of the break. Like I have to be productive, DO SOMETHING ALL

THE TIME.

I know that this conditioning comes from the way I watched my mother be a

'superwoman'. She did it all. And still does. She fills her time to the

maximum, often to take care of other people, who end up resenting her for it and

she resenting them.

I think I need to give myself a permission to be intuitive about how I spend my

time throughout the day. Permission to just be, do nothing, surf the net if I

want, not try to fill all my minutes with 'something' but leave them empty and

let intuition guide me what I want/need to do next. Permission to be intuitive.

Not be so goal-oriented and driven and spin my wheels that ends up depleting me.

Thank you for letting me explore this.

> >

> > Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it

can be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or

computer. I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could

explore this. It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when

eating, I don't want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be

" productive " and " efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other

people although I find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the

conversation while eating. I find that I pay attention more to the food than the

person. I don't really understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll

experience.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all your replies. I am becoming more aware, that I was using the

" focus on your food " idea as a rule I " should " be doing. It seems now obvious

that it is just another one of those food police judgements. Yes, I can choose

to sit down and focus or not. Thank you for this.

As I am cooking today, I think of my parents who live on another continent. I

feel this profound sadness, even kind of depressed feeling. The sadness is grief

over what our relationships could have but never been. The life I have created

for myself is so rich and filled with love and the grief comes from realization

that I feel bad when I think of them. They are not capable to accept me for who

I am and the choices I have made. The word my mother described me when I was

growing up was Ableger or translated 'clone.' I am not her clone and I am

eternally grateful for that. And I grieve the losses of being a clone for so

many years. Thanks for letting me vent. It's helping. Vera

>

> Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can

be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer.

I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this.

It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't

want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and

" efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I

find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating.

I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really

understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all your replies. I am becoming more aware, that I was using the

" focus on your food " idea as a rule I " should " be doing. It seems now obvious

that it is just another one of those food police judgements. Yes, I can choose

to sit down and focus or not. Thank you for this.

As I am cooking today, I think of my parents who live on another continent. I

feel this profound sadness, even kind of depressed feeling. The sadness is grief

over what our relationships could have but never been. The life I have created

for myself is so rich and filled with love and the grief comes from realization

that I feel bad when I think of them. They are not capable to accept me for who

I am and the choices I have made. The word my mother described me when I was

growing up was Ableger or translated 'clone.' I am not her clone and I am

eternally grateful for that. And I grieve the losses of being a clone for so

many years. Thanks for letting me vent. It's helping. Vera

>

> Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can

be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer.

I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this.

It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't

want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and

" efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I

find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating.

I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really

understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all your replies. I am becoming more aware, that I was using the

" focus on your food " idea as a rule I " should " be doing. It seems now obvious

that it is just another one of those food police judgements. Yes, I can choose

to sit down and focus or not. Thank you for this.

As I am cooking today, I think of my parents who live on another continent. I

feel this profound sadness, even kind of depressed feeling. The sadness is grief

over what our relationships could have but never been. The life I have created

for myself is so rich and filled with love and the grief comes from realization

that I feel bad when I think of them. They are not capable to accept me for who

I am and the choices I have made. The word my mother described me when I was

growing up was Ableger or translated 'clone.' I am not her clone and I am

eternally grateful for that. And I grieve the losses of being a clone for so

many years. Thanks for letting me vent. It's helping. Vera

>

> Someone in another topic mentioned about multitasking and how difficult it can

be to just focus on the food and not reach for the book, TV remote or computer.

I have been struggling with it as well. I am wondering if we could explore this.

It is so strange that food is so much on my mind and yet, when eating, I don't

want to be thinking about it. Somehow, I feel I need to be " productive " and

" efficient " while eating. I do best when eating with other people although I

find that it is very difficult to concentrate on the conversation while eating.

I find that I pay attention more to the food than the person. I don't really

understand this dynamic but would love to hear what ya'll experience.

>

[Guest guest]

Ellie I can hear faint strains of graduation music playing as I read your post

:-) I agree - the suggestions within non-dieting are simply tools to help guide

us back to what we always had, but had lost track of.

Bravo for you!

ehugs, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> Makes sense to me!

>

> I think the " only at the table " idea is to get us out of mindless grazing,

separating meals from other activities, calling our attention to become aware of

unconscious eating.  We all know the " I only eat one meal a day " syndrome. (In

case anyone doesn't..... the one meal lasts all day.)

>

>

> After having done the table thing a couple of times, my feelings are, " OK, OK!

I get the message! Just don't confine me to that table anymore!! " A family meal

at the table is fine, and we do that once a day (most days.) 

>

> Ellie

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >________________________________

> >

> >To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> >Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011 1:49 PM

> >Subject: RE: Re: Multitasking

> >

> >

> > 

> >This is just some food for thought (so to speak!).  I’m

> getting this from How to Become Naturally Thin By Eating More by Jean

> Antonello.

> >“Where you eat does not have an effect on your weight. 

> In spite of the many diet manuals which say you must be sitting down to eat,

or

> you must not have the television on, or you must be in the kitchen, these

> things don’t matter.  Naturally thin people don’t think about

> such things.  There is nothing magically nonfattening about sitting down

> at the table to eat, nor is there anything fattening about eating in front of

> the TV.  Even midnight eating in bed has no appreciable effect on how fat

> or thin you are.  You can eat wherever you want to and feel most

> comfortable at a given moment.  The places might change with your moods

> and appetites.  That’s OK, as long as you are eating real food to

> satisfy your real hunger.â€

> >I quote this because I feel that making yourself sit at the table

> or whatever is just another restriction that could possibly be doomed to fail,

> therefore making a person doubt themselves and beat themselves up for failing

> yet again †" another diet mentality.  I think the key is the last

> sentence †" eating real food to satisfy your real hunger.  Real life

> doesn’t always allow us to sit at a table or eat really slow…..as

> long as you are eating real food to satisfy your real hunger, you are

following

> the right path.  This is my opinion because I was beating myself up for not

> sitting at the table, eating slower, etc; I welcome feedback.

> >Kate

> > 

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I love this! I too have a hard time " just " eating. I like to have a book or

something to read in between bites. I think the " eat sitting down " and " eat

without distraction " guidelines were created to prevent unconscious eating.

I think it's like the Pirate's Code: more like " guidelines " than actual rules.

-McKella

>

> This is just some food for thought (so to speak!). I'm getting this from

> How to Become Naturally Thin By Eating More by Antonello.

>

> " Where you eat does not have an effect on your weight. In spite of the many

> diet manuals which say you must be sitting down to eat, or you must not have

> the television on, or you must be in the kitchen, these things don't matter.

> Naturally thin people don't think about such things. There is nothing

> magically nonfattening about sitting down at the table to eat, nor is there

> anything fattening about eating in front of the TV. Even midnight eating in

> bed has no appreciable effect on how fat or thin you are. You can eat

> wherever you want to and feel most comfortable at a given moment. The

> places might change with your moods and appetites. That's OK, as long as

> you are eating real food to satisfy your real hunger. "

>

> I quote this because I feel that making yourself sit at the table or

> whatever is just another restriction that could possibly be doomed to fail,

> therefore making a person doubt themselves and beat themselves up for

> failing yet again - another diet mentality. I think the key is the last

> sentence - eating real food to satisfy your real hunger. Real life doesn't

> always allow us to sit at a table or eat really slow...as long as you are

> eating real food to satisfy your real hunger, you are following the right

> path. This is my opinion because I was beating myself up for not sitting at

> the table, eating slower, etc; I welcome feedback.

>

> Kate

>

[Guest guest]

Hadn't had the time to read this before... It's a relief to read this as I'd

kept feeling " wrong " for not always eating at the table and for letting my

attention wander while eating. It's a bit of this and a bit of that...

Sometimes distracting myself while eating seems to be about diet mentality and

feeling guilty or afraid of what I eat. Overfocusing on food and eating feels

weird. Somewhere in the middle is when I'm ok with eating and in touch enough

to stop when I'm satisfied. When I'm working at it - it all goes awry. Thanks.

Sandarah

> >________________________________

> >

> >To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> >Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011 1:49 PM

> >Subject: RE: Re: Multitasking

> >

> >

> > 

> >This is just some food for thought (so to speak!).  I’m

> getting this from How to Become Naturally Thin By Eating More by Jean

> Antonello.

> >“Where you eat does not have an effect on your weight. 

> In spite of the many diet manuals which say you must be sitting down to eat,

or

> you must not have the television on, or you must be in the kitchen, these

> things don’t matter.  Naturally thin people don’t think about

> such things.  There is nothing magically nonfattening about sitting down

> at the table to eat, nor is there anything fattening about eating in front of

> the TV.  Even midnight eating in bed has no appreciable effect on how fat

> or thin you are.  You can eat wherever you want to and feel most

> comfortable at a given moment.  The places might change with your moods

> and appetites.  That’s OK, as long as you are eating real food to

> satisfy your real hunger.â€

> >I quote this because I feel that making yourself sit at the table

> or whatever is just another restriction that could possibly be doomed to fail,

> therefore making a person doubt themselves and beat themselves up for failing

> yet again †" another diet mentality.  I think the key is the last

> sentence †" eating real food to satisfy your real hunger.  Real life

> doesn’t always allow us to sit at a table or eat really slow…..as

> long as you are eating real food to satisfy your real hunger, you are

following

> the right path.  This is my opinion because I was beating myself up for not

> sitting at the table, eating slower, etc; I welcome feedback.

> >Kate

> > 

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I try to eat most of my meals at the table, but I also eat in the rocking chair

in the back room where the sun shines in all day and on the back patio, and

sometimes standing at the counter in the kitchen.

But I am choosing not to multitask while I eat because then I can better

appreciate what I am eating and can be more aware of my own signals. It's not a

rule, but a choice, just as I could choose to go to bed at a reasonable hour so

that I won't be tired the next day or can choose to not eat chocolate so that I

don't get headaches. It's working for me, in that I have found myself better

able appreciate what I'm eating. I have been enjoying thinking of food as

something that nourishes me, and as such, I want to honor it--those lovely

carrots, onions, beets, green beans, chick peas, tomatoes and Parmesan cheese I

had for lunch today. And I disagree with whoever says you can really only taste

the first three bites of something. I appreciated each of the bites I ate--the

nutty whole wheat pasta, the slightly crunchy sweet beets, the creaminess of the

chickpeas, the tang of the onions cooked in lemon juice, the salty bits of

Parmesan. If I had been reading, or writing something, or browsing a cookbook,

I would have missed all of that.

I am in no way saying that anyone else should do that, but it's what I'm doing,

and it feels right to me.....

Tilley

>

> Makes sense to me!

>

> I think the " only at the table " idea is to get us out of mindless grazing,

separating meals from other activities, calling our attention to become aware of

unconscious eating.  We all know the " I only eat one meal a day " syndrome. (In

case anyone doesn't..... the one meal lasts all day.)

>

>

> After having done the table thing a couple of times, my feelings are, " OK, OK!

I get the message! Just don't confine me to that table anymore!! " A family meal

at the table is fine, and we do that once a day (most days.) 

>

> Ellie

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >________________________________

> >

> >To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> >Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011 1:49 PM

> >Subject: RE: Re: Multitasking

> >

> >

> > 

> >This is just some food for thought (so to speak!).  I’m

> getting this from How to Become Naturally Thin By Eating More by Jean

> Antonello.

> >“Where you eat does not have an effect on your weight. 

> In spite of the many diet manuals which say you must be sitting down to eat,

or

> you must not have the television on, or you must be in the kitchen, these

> things don’t matter.  Naturally thin people don’t think about

> such things.  There is nothing magically nonfattening about sitting down

> at the table to eat, nor is there anything fattening about eating in front of

> the TV.  Even midnight eating in bed has no appreciable effect on how fat

> or thin you are.  You can eat wherever you want to and feel most

> comfortable at a given moment.  The places might change with your moods

> and appetites.  That’s OK, as long as you are eating real food to

> satisfy your real hunger.â€

> >I quote this because I feel that making yourself sit at the table

> or whatever is just another restriction that could possibly be doomed to fail,

> therefore making a person doubt themselves and beat themselves up for failing

> yet again †" another diet mentality.  I think the key is the last

> sentence †" eating real food to satisfy your real hunger.  Real life

> doesn’t always allow us to sit at a table or eat really slow…..as

> long as you are eating real food to satisfy your real hunger, you are

following

> the right path.  This is my opinion because I was beating myself up for not

> sitting at the table, eating slower, etc; I welcome feedback.

> >Kate

> > 

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I try to eat most of my meals at the table, but I also eat in the rocking chair

in the back room where the sun shines in all day and on the back patio, and

sometimes standing at the counter in the kitchen.

But I am choosing not to multitask while I eat because then I can better

appreciate what I am eating and can be more aware of my own signals. It's not a

rule, but a choice, just as I could choose to go to bed at a reasonable hour so

that I won't be tired the next day or can choose to not eat chocolate so that I

don't get headaches. It's working for me, in that I have found myself better

able appreciate what I'm eating. I have been enjoying thinking of food as

something that nourishes me, and as such, I want to honor it--those lovely

carrots, onions, beets, green beans, chick peas, tomatoes and Parmesan cheese I

had for lunch today. And I disagree with whoever says you can really only taste

the first three bites of something. I appreciated each of the bites I ate--the

nutty whole wheat pasta, the slightly crunchy sweet beets, the creaminess of the

chickpeas, the tang of the onions cooked in lemon juice, the salty bits of

Parmesan. If I had been reading, or writing something, or browsing a cookbook,

I would have missed all of that.

I am in no way saying that anyone else should do that, but it's what I'm doing,

and it feels right to me.....

Tilley

>

> Makes sense to me!

>

> I think the " only at the table " idea is to get us out of mindless grazing,

separating meals from other activities, calling our attention to become aware of

unconscious eating.  We all know the " I only eat one meal a day " syndrome. (In

case anyone doesn't..... the one meal lasts all day.)

>

>

> After having done the table thing a couple of times, my feelings are, " OK, OK!

I get the message! Just don't confine me to that table anymore!! " A family meal

at the table is fine, and we do that once a day (most days.) 

>

> Ellie

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >________________________________

> >

> >To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> >Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011 1:49 PM

> >Subject: RE: Re: Multitasking

> >

> >

> > 

> >This is just some food for thought (so to speak!).  I’m

> getting this from How to Become Naturally Thin By Eating More by Jean

> Antonello.

> >“Where you eat does not have an effect on your weight. 

> In spite of the many diet manuals which say you must be sitting down to eat,

or

> you must not have the television on, or you must be in the kitchen, these

> things don’t matter.  Naturally thin people don’t think about

> such things.  There is nothing magically nonfattening about sitting down

> at the table to eat, nor is there anything fattening about eating in front of

> the TV.  Even midnight eating in bed has no appreciable effect on how fat

> or thin you are.  You can eat wherever you want to and feel most

> comfortable at a given moment.  The places might change with your moods

> and appetites.  That’s OK, as long as you are eating real food to

> satisfy your real hunger.â€

> >I quote this because I feel that making yourself sit at the table

> or whatever is just another restriction that could possibly be doomed to fail,

> therefore making a person doubt themselves and beat themselves up for failing

> yet again †" another diet mentality.  I think the key is the last

> sentence †" eating real food to satisfy your real hunger.  Real life

> doesn’t always allow us to sit at a table or eat really slow…..as

> long as you are eating real food to satisfy your real hunger, you are

following

> the right path.  This is my opinion because I was beating myself up for not

> sitting at the table, eating slower, etc; I welcome feedback.

> >Kate

> > 

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I try to eat most of my meals at the table, but I also eat in the rocking chair

in the back room where the sun shines in all day and on the back patio, and

sometimes standing at the counter in the kitchen.

But I am choosing not to multitask while I eat because then I can better

appreciate what I am eating and can be more aware of my own signals. It's not a

rule, but a choice, just as I could choose to go to bed at a reasonable hour so

that I won't be tired the next day or can choose to not eat chocolate so that I

don't get headaches. It's working for me, in that I have found myself better

able appreciate what I'm eating. I have been enjoying thinking of food as

something that nourishes me, and as such, I want to honor it--those lovely

carrots, onions, beets, green beans, chick peas, tomatoes and Parmesan cheese I

had for lunch today. And I disagree with whoever says you can really only taste

the first three bites of something. I appreciated each of the bites I ate--the

nutty whole wheat pasta, the slightly crunchy sweet beets, the creaminess of the

chickpeas, the tang of the onions cooked in lemon juice, the salty bits of

Parmesan. If I had been reading, or writing something, or browsing a cookbook,

I would have missed all of that.

I am in no way saying that anyone else should do that, but it's what I'm doing,

and it feels right to me.....

Tilley

>

> Makes sense to me!

>

> I think the " only at the table " idea is to get us out of mindless grazing,

separating meals from other activities, calling our attention to become aware of

unconscious eating.  We all know the " I only eat one meal a day " syndrome. (In

case anyone doesn't..... the one meal lasts all day.)

>

>

> After having done the table thing a couple of times, my feelings are, " OK, OK!

I get the message! Just don't confine me to that table anymore!! " A family meal

at the table is fine, and we do that once a day (most days.) 

>

> Ellie

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >________________________________

> >

> >To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> >Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011 1:49 PM

> >Subject: RE: Re: Multitasking

> >

> >

> > 

> >This is just some food for thought (so to speak!).  I’m

> getting this from How to Become Naturally Thin By Eating More by Jean

> Antonello.

> >“Where you eat does not have an effect on your weight. 

> In spite of the many diet manuals which say you must be sitting down to eat,

or

> you must not have the television on, or you must be in the kitchen, these

> things don’t matter.  Naturally thin people don’t think about

> such things.  There is nothing magically nonfattening about sitting down

> at the table to eat, nor is there anything fattening about eating in front of

> the TV.  Even midnight eating in bed has no appreciable effect on how fat

> or thin you are.  You can eat wherever you want to and feel most

> comfortable at a given moment.  The places might change with your moods

> and appetites.  That’s OK, as long as you are eating real food to

> satisfy your real hunger.â€

> >I quote this because I feel that making yourself sit at the table

> or whatever is just another restriction that could possibly be doomed to fail,

> therefore making a person doubt themselves and beat themselves up for failing

> yet again †" another diet mentality.  I think the key is the last

> sentence †" eating real food to satisfy your real hunger.  Real life

> doesn’t always allow us to sit at a table or eat really slow…..as

> long as you are eating real food to satisfy your real hunger, you are

following

> the right path.  This is my opinion because I was beating myself up for not

> sitting at the table, eating slower, etc; I welcome feedback.

> >Kate

> > 

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

This is what I arrived at, also.... it felt like a rule. I can see the value in separating eating from not-eating, if a person finds her/himself grazing all the time and not being able to put the food down. I have been there, too. "Confining" eating to a specific place and time could be a way to overcome that habit. But I'm not continuously eating nowadays, so I don't feel the need to emphasize that distinction for myself.Ellie To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 11:27 AM Subject: RE: Re: Multitasking

I love this and it really rings true for me. Making myself eat a certain way was an interesting experiment, but ultimately felt like another rule. I remember having a discussion about this issue on this forum a few weeks ago and someone mentioned that the thought of eating without distractions made her angry. I think this is the diet rebel because the idea sounds so much like a diet rule. However, I do think it's a good idea to try it, with no expectation that you must eat like this all the time. It has helped me to remember to slow down and appreciate my food, but I still eat with distractions.

Mimi

PS. I ordered the book