Re: the small successes

[Guest guest]

These types of posts help me a lot. Thanks for expressing them.

KT

>

> I've been noticing my appetite go down big time recently, and I couldn't help

but feel good about it. I tried to keep my focus on being hapy that I'm

peaceful with food, regardless of how big or small my appetite is. Then, the

past couple days, my appetite has been much bigger. Usually my first reaction

is to try to manipulate my appetite, to try to convince myself that I'm actually

bored, or have anxiety, etc. Then I get panicky and end up overeating for a

while. But this time I didn't do that. I remained committed to peace with

food. When I wanted to eat, when I knew I would feel deprived without eating, I

just ate. And I promised myself I would eat until I was totally satisfied. I

was able to really enjoy my food without guilt or manipulation.

>

> Yesterday, I ate 2 of my 3 meals before I actually felt physically hungry. I

ate them because I just had the desire to, because I craved the food. I felt

calm and very satisfied and happy. Then I went the rest of my day without the

desire to eat. I went seven hours without any desire for food, and then I went

to bed. I didn't even feel very hungry this morning when I woke up.

>

> I really believe my body's testing me. It's like, okay, is food really

totally available to me. I think that when I start feeling happy about not

eating, I need to prove to myself that I have complete permission to eat. Once

I prove that, my appetite goes away again.

>

> Feeling good.

> Sara

>

[Guest guest]

That is just great, Sara. You really are listening to your body rather than taking external clues as to what your body "should" be telling you. Judi

Subject: the small successesTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009, 11:32 AM

I've been noticing my appetite go down big time recently, and I couldn't help but feel good about it. I tried to keep my focus on being hapy that I'm peaceful with food, regardless of how big or small my appetite is. Then, the past couple days, my appetite has been much bigger. Usually my first reaction is to try to manipulate my appetite, to try to convince myself that I'm actually bored, or have anxiety, etc. Then I get panicky and end up overeating for a while. But this time I didn't do that. I remained committed to peace with food. When I wanted to eat, when I knew I would feel deprived without eating, I just ate. And I promised myself I would eat until I was totally satisfied. I was able to really enjoy my food without guilt or manipulation. Yesterday, I ate 2 of my 3 meals before I actually felt physically hungry. I ate them because I just had the desire to, because I craved the food. I felt calm and very satisfied and happy. Then I

went the rest of my day without the desire to eat. I went seven hours without any desire for food, and then I went to bed. I didn't even feel very hungry this morning when I woke up.I really believe my body's testing me. It's like, okay, is food really totally available to me. I think that when I start feeling happy about not eating, I need to prove to myself that I have complete permission to eat. Once I prove that, my appetite goes away again.Feeling good.Sara

[Guest guest]

I like your phrasing- remaining committed to peace with food! I'm going to use that as my mantra while I'm on vacation! In the past vacations have always been a food free-for-all with undrelying guilt and anxiety about it, but not this year!MikkiSent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryFrom: Judi on Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:27:34 -0700 (PDT)To: <IntuitiveEating_Support >Subject: Re: the small successes That is just great, Sara. You really are listening to your body rather than taking external clues as to what your body "should" be telling you. JudiFrom: reflectionmommy <saralouwhocomcast (DOT) net>Subject: the small successesTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009, 11:32 AM I've been noticing my appetite go down big time recently, and I couldn't help but feel good about it. I tried to keep my focus on being hapy that I'm peaceful with food, regardless of how big or small my appetite is. Then, the past couple days, my appetite has been much bigger. Usually my first reaction is to try to manipulate my appetite, to try to convince myself that I'm actually bored, or have anxiety, etc. Then I get panicky and end up overeating for a while. But this time I didn't do that. I remained committed to peace with food. When I wanted to eat, when I knew I would feel deprived without eating, I just ate. And I promised myself I would eat until I was totally satisfied. I was able to really enjoy my food without guilt or manipulation. Yesterday, I ate 2 of my 3 meals before I actually felt physically hungry. I ate them because I just had the desire to, because I craved the food. I felt calm and very satisfied and happy. Then I went the rest of my day without the desire to eat. I went seven hours without any desire for food, and then I went to bed. I didn't even feel very hungry this morning when I woke up.I really believe my body's testing me. It's like, okay, is food really totally available to me. I think that when I start feeling happy about not eating, I need to prove to myself that I have complete permission to eat. Once I prove that, my appetite goes away again.Feeling good.Sara

[Guest guest]

These types of posts give me so much hope. Thanks for sharing and congrats on

your success!

>

> I've been noticing my appetite go down big time recently, and I couldn't help

but feel good about it. I tried to keep my focus on being hapy that I'm

peaceful with food, regardless of how big or small my appetite is. Then, the

past couple days, my appetite has been much bigger. Usually my first reaction

is to try to manipulate my appetite, to try to convince myself that I'm actually

bored, or have anxiety, etc. Then I get panicky and end up overeating for a

while. But this time I didn't do that. I remained committed to peace with

food. When I wanted to eat, when I knew I would feel deprived without eating, I

just ate. And I promised myself I would eat until I was totally satisfied. I

was able to really enjoy my food without guilt or manipulation.

>

> Yesterday, I ate 2 of my 3 meals before I actually felt physically hungry. I

ate them because I just had the desire to, because I craved the food. I felt

calm and very satisfied and happy. Then I went the rest of my day without the

desire to eat. I went seven hours without any desire for food, and then I went

to bed. I didn't even feel very hungry this morning when I woke up.

>

> I really believe my body's testing me. It's like, okay, is food really

totally available to me. I think that when I start feeling happy about not

eating, I need to prove to myself that I have complete permission to eat. Once

I prove that, my appetite goes away again.

>

> Feeling good.

> Sara

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara,

Your post was very helpful to me, since I am just starting to learn this

process. Since I am retired the refrigerator is only steps away at any time, and

I have a bad habit of wanting to grab something everytime I am in the vicinity.

No, I am NOT hungry. This is the hardest part, trying not to eat something when

not hungry, but recently I said to myself, it is ok to have something just

because I want it, and I generally will snack less. I realize this is a very

lengthy process, to overcome life-long habits, especially the dieting mentality.

Yes, my body is testing me too. Let's hope we get an A in the long run somewhere

down the road.

Waldi

> >

> > I've been noticing my appetite go down big time recently, and I couldn't

help but feel good about it. I tried to keep my focus on being hapy that I'm

peaceful with food, regardless of how big or small my appetite is. Then, the

past couple days, my appetite has been much bigger. Usually my first reaction

is to try to manipulate my appetite, to try to convince myself that I'm actually

bored, or have anxiety, etc. Then I get panicky and end up overeating for a

while. But this time I didn't do that. I remained committed to peace with

food. When I wanted to eat, when I knew I would feel deprived without eating, I

just ate. And I promised myself I would eat until I was totally satisfied. I

was able to really enjoy my food without guilt or manipulation.

> >

> > Yesterday, I ate 2 of my 3 meals before I actually felt physically hungry.

I ate them because I just had the desire to, because I craved the food. I felt

calm and very satisfied and happy. Then I went the rest of my day without the

desire to eat. I went seven hours without any desire for food, and then I went

to bed. I didn't even feel very hungry this morning when I woke up.

> >

> > I really believe my body's testing me. It's like, okay, is food really

totally available to me. I think that when I start feeling happy about not

eating, I need to prove to myself that I have complete permission to eat. Once

I prove that, my appetite goes away again.

> >

> > Feeling good.

> > Sara

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Another hard thing to do is to just eat what is on your mind rather than 'fight'

it! Its easy to turn 'don't eat unless hungry' into a RULE! That is diet

mentality creeping in ;-) If you find yourself being 'driven' to eat something

and you know you aren't really (body) hungry - eat it while telling yourself " I

know I am not hungry, but I am choosing to eat it anyway. " And if you eat it as

mindfully as possible, notice how it tastes for you. Is it YUMMY! or so-so? Did

eating it 'satisfy' you? If you still feel like eating is it possible that

something else is 'driving' you?

All these are little clues that can come to you. It can take time and patience,

especially when you just feel driven to EAT. Savor each input and detail as they

come to you.

BEST to you Waldi - Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> Hi Sara,

> Your post was very helpful to me, since I am just starting to learn this

process. Since I am retired the refrigerator is only steps away at any time, and

I have a bad habit of wanting to grab something everytime I am in the vicinity.

No, I am NOT hungry. This is the hardest part, trying not to eat something when

not hungry, but recently I said to myself, it is ok to have something just

because I want it, and I generally will snack less. I realize this is a very

lengthy process, to overcome life-long habits, especially the dieting mentality.

Yes, my body is testing me too. Let's hope we get an A in the long run somewhere

down the road.

>

> Waldi

>

[Guest guest]

I totally agree Katcha! It's so funny how counterintitive IE feels becuase of

years of diet conditioning. IE makes complete logical sense, it just feels so

strage at times.

I use to think that success with IE was about how closely I followed the " normal

eating " rules. Only eat when hungry, only eat until satisfied. Now, I realize

that eating when hungry (most of the time) and eating only until satisfied (most

of the time) is the prize of IE, not the work. The work is making peace with

food and my body. The work is giving myself complete permission to love myself

and my body at any weight. The work is giving myself complete permission to eat

regardless of outcme. The reward is the eventual ability to effortlessly and

intuitively eat. The payoff is losing the deire to eat when not hungry, and

losing the desire to eat past satisfaction. (Again, most of the time, not all

the time, ever.) I'm realizing we really can't control our eating or our body

weight directly (without extremely disordered eating). We can only control our

attitudes toward food and our bodies.

Realizing this has been the biggest breakthrough!!!!! I feel like a great

revelation that only experience can bring has been revealed to me.

Hey, but I've got many more revelations to make, and breakthroughs to make with

IE. I feel so much more peaceful now, though.

Sara

> >

> > Hi Sara,

> > Your post was very helpful to me, since I am just starting to learn this

process. Since I am retired the refrigerator is only steps away at any time, and

I have a bad habit of wanting to grab something everytime I am in the vicinity.

No, I am NOT hungry. This is the hardest part, trying not to eat something when

not hungry, but recently I said to myself, it is ok to have something just

because I want it, and I generally will snack less. I realize this is a very

lengthy process, to overcome life-long habits, especially the dieting mentality.

Yes, my body is testing me too. Let's hope we get an A in the long run somewhere

down the road.

> >

> > Waldi

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Wow that you SO much for your post. It came at just the right time. I really

needed to hear about how learning to only eat when hungry and stop when

satisfied is the prize that comes from all the work that needs to be put into

IE. I've been starting to have guilty feelings emerge because I think I've been

eating too much high calorie food even when not hungry, and I am scared I am

going to gain weight. I have been really focusing on tasting my food and

thinking about how I feel etc, but it is still hard. I think I just enjoy eating

the foods that have been restricted for so long, that it's hard to stop

sometimes. I am trying to give myself unconditional permission to eat, but I

still have this voice in the back of my head that tells me I am going to gain

weight. That's where the guilt comes in, and I end up overeating. I am trying my

best to accept and love myself for who I am inside, but it's hard, and I think

it will be even harder if I gain weight.

I am so scared, but I can't go back to my old ways. I HAVE to stick with this

and make it work. I just have to be patient right?

-- In IntuitiveEating_Support , " reflectionmommy "

wrote:

>

> I totally agree Katcha! It's so funny how counterintitive IE feels becuase of

years of diet conditioning. IE makes complete logical sense, it just feels so

strage at times.

>

> I use to think that success with IE was about how closely I followed the

" normal eating " rules. Only eat when hungry, only eat until satisfied. Now, I

realize that eating when hungry (most of the time) and eating only until

satisfied (most of the time) is the prize of IE, not the work. The work is

making peace with food and my body. The work is giving myself complete

permission to love myself and my body at any weight. The work is giving myself

complete permission to eat regardless of outcme. The reward is the eventual

ability to effortlessly and intuitively eat. The payoff is losing the deire to

eat when not hungry, and losing the desire to eat past satisfaction. (Again,

most of the time, not all the time, ever.) I'm realizing we really can't

control our eating or our body weight directly (without extremely disordered

eating). We can only control our attitudes toward food and our bodies.

>

> Realizing this has been the biggest breakthrough!!!!! I feel like a great

revelation that only experience can bring has been revealed to me.

>

> Hey, but I've got many more revelations to make, and breakthroughs to make

with IE. I feel so much more peaceful now, though.

>

> Sara

>

>

>

> > >

> > > Hi Sara,

> > > Your post was very helpful to me, since I am just starting to learn this

process. Since I am retired the refrigerator is only steps away at any time, and

I have a bad habit of wanting to grab something everytime I am in the vicinity.

No, I am NOT hungry. This is the hardest part, trying not to eat something when

not hungry, but recently I said to myself, it is ok to have something just

because I want it, and I generally will snack less. I realize this is a very

lengthy process, to overcome life-long habits, especially the dieting mentality.

Yes, my body is testing me too. Let's hope we get an A in the long run somewhere

down the road.

> > >

> > > Waldi

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

> but I still have this voice in the back of my head that tells me I am going

to gain weight. That's where the guilt comes in, and I end up overeating.

That voice is NOT your own - its one that you hear from OUTside yourself. If you

can, remind yourself that that 'gremlin' is not your friend and delights in

misleading you too. How does (can?) your body tell you such a thing? Yes, if

movement is uncomfortable or not possible, that is real feedback. But 'gaining

weight' is a judgmental 'voice', not an internal one. Hoping you can find YOUR

own INternal voice :)

> I am so scared, but I can't go back to my old ways. I HAVE to stick with this

and make it work. I just have to be patient right?

Isn't it interesting that we fear and mistrust our own bodies?!? But really the

evidence is more that our bodies have continued to work for us regardless of

what we have 'heaped' upon them! My body is the BEST friend I could ask for.

Demeaning and 'bashing' it is SELF abuse and something I will not do any more.

Nor will I accept such treatment by others either.

Keep up the good (for you!) work

Katcha

IEing since March 2007

[Guest guest]

Yes, patience is the hard part, isn't it? It took me so long to feel peaceful.

I think it's important to love yourself for who you are on the inside. But I

think it's just as important to love yourself as you are on the outside, too, at

any and all weights!!! Peace is a natural byproduct of this.

Sara

> > > >

> > > > Hi Sara,

> > > > Your post was very helpful to me, since I am just starting to learn this

process. Since I am retired the refrigerator is only steps away at any time, and

I have a bad habit of wanting to grab something everytime I am in the vicinity.

No, I am NOT hungry. This is the hardest part, trying not to eat something when

not hungry, but recently I said to myself, it is ok to have something just

because I want it, and I generally will snack less. I realize this is a very

lengthy process, to overcome life-long habits, especially the dieting mentality.

Yes, my body is testing me too. Let's hope we get an A in the long run somewhere

down the road.

> > > >

> > > > Waldi

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Katcha and Sara. I love all the support here. It is so helpful. This

whole process is long and difficult, but I know that it is possible. I am only

23, and I have plenty of time to learn and grow. The success will come (and

already has in many ways), I just have to be patient and take each day as it

comes. I am very happy and hopeful right now. And I just had a DELICIOUS

nutella/PB/banana sandwich for dinner which is probably contributing to my good

mood. I think I am entering a chocolate phase, and I am going to enjoy every

minute of it!

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Sara,

> > > > > Your post was very helpful to me, since I am just starting to learn

this process. Since I am retired the refrigerator is only steps away at any

time, and I have a bad habit of wanting to grab something everytime I am in the

vicinity. No, I am NOT hungry. This is the hardest part, trying not to eat

something when not hungry, but recently I said to myself, it is ok to have

something just because I want it, and I generally will snack less. I realize

this is a very lengthy process, to overcome life-long habits, especially the

dieting mentality. Yes, my body is testing me too. Let's hope we get an A in the

long run somewhere down the road.

> > > > >

> > > > > Waldi

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>