Introduction

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I'm new to this group. A friend suggested that I join as I've begun on the

journey of intuitive eating. I started by reading some of Geneen Roth's books,

and now have plans to read beyond that base.

I use food for comfort. I'm a chronic worrier and use food to sooth my

anxieties. Instead of addressing the worry or the use of food as a soother,

I've dieted in many restricting ways that may actually increase me anxiety.

I'm working on reducing worry and finding other ways to comfort myself. If any

of you have suggestions about either of these please let me know.

Jody

[Guest guest]

Welcome Claudette!

 

Hi Everyone,

 

    I just joined this group and am delighted to have found you all. I was searching the Internet for support with intuitive eating when I found this group. It has taken me a long time to even recognize that I was not, and sometimes am not, at peace with myself and food. Then, it has taken me longer to realize that I don't have to be at war with myself over food and exercise. I have had many judgments and self punishing behavior over the  years and I just came to a point that I was just so exhausted with it all. There had to be a better way, or something other than failed diets, defeating self talk, shame, and the pain of restrictive and binge eating cycles. So, last January, at the start of a very busy semester at school I just asked myself, what if I just didn't have any rules around eating? With all the stress of my counseling program (and studying counseling!), work, and a practicum, what if I just took away that extra

stress? This was a stressful decision that I struggled with as I found many ways to implement rules, and ways to break them. I don't believe I was practicing intuitive eating at that point, I was just trying to be kinder to myself. Around this time I also wanted to learn more about my behaviors with food and that meant being honest, and by that I mean I tried not to hide my complex relationship with eating. I found a therapist who worked with " overeaters " (I feel that term brings up judgments for me, but was the only way I knew how to describe myself). It was the first time I was looking for help and not just a diet or weight loss. It was scary to be seen and important. There were many wonderful qualities about this therapist, but I realized that her goals were not mine (she insisted I go to OA meetings and started to give me food advice: like eating fruit when I wanted sweets- I felt my old patterns arise as I started making rules about eating and

my anxiety rose, I knew I could fall back into my old habits very easily). I found another therapist, who helps me feel uncomfortable emotions and gently points out judgments. So, I'm rather new to intuitive eating, but I feel I've been trying to find it for awhile! 

    A little bit (more) about me: I'm in school for counseling and am doing my internship now. I work at two drug and alcohol treatment facilities. When I have time, I enjoy being outside and spending time with my partner and our dogs. Although I do not practice regularly, I do do meditation and yoga. That's about all for now. I want to thank you all for being here and I appreciate the opportunity to share.

 

Sincerely,

Claudette

[Guest guest]

Welcome! It sounds like you are doing an awesome job already.  Thanks for sharing. It helps me too. Sandy

 

Hi all,

I've been reading the posts for several weeks now, and thought it was time to introduce myself. I'm an Aussie in my late 40's and of course the usual story - struggling with weight and food issues most of my life.

I've been interested in intuitive eating concepts for some time now, but it's really only been the last six months that I've moved forward. A very big hurdle for me was bad habits around eating takeaway or junk most of the time rather than cooking for myself, the excuse always being that I did not have the time or energy to do so. I've put a big effort into clearing the decks to free up my time and energy and starting from scratch. Re-educting myself to cook again, which has been actually a lot of fun.

Once I had re-established that habit, I then started to look to making healthier choices, which is not a hardship as I already prefer wholemeal, veggies, salads etc. This has been going well and I'm really enjoying the food that I'm making and eating with lots of new herbs and spices and what not.

One issue I had to address was the fact that I am self employed, and this means that some days I work from home, and have complete control over what I cook and eat. On other days I'm on the road and subject to the schedules of others, never knowing if and when I will get a chance to eat. It has worked well for me to have different strategies planned out in advance. On home days I can honour my hunger completely, and have time to try out different recipes etc. When I'm on the road I prepack certain staple (but not necassarily exciting) foods and plan my eating solely for the purpose of ensuring that I do not get too hungry at times when I cannot readily access food. So far this is working well.

I look forward to reading and responding to posts from now on. I tend to be an observer rather than a participator, so it is a big step for me to write this email but I think it will be worth it long term to commit here.

Cheers,

Rowan.