IE all the way

[Guest guest]

Hi Jolene,

I can relate to the feeling of stepping off the edge of the Grand Canyon; all

the things you are talking about; the scale, diet books, etc. did give you a

very clearly defined structure for eating; an external, outside of yourself, set

of rules.

That probably gave a sense of security.

Sure diets don't work in the long haul, as you know, but there was perhaps some

security in the structure, and diets hook people because they do work as a

temporary bandaid and it's easy to forget that the weight will come back on.

So with intuitive eating, it's a bit scary at first because you are trading

external rules for an internal guide (yourself, or your own best caretaker) and

you've got to gradually develop trust in your food choices; it's a wonderful

freedom; no one else telling you what to do with food. It's a great repairing

of relationship to food, but it's also a bit scary at first. That's why support

is so important.

You definitely seem very ready, though, to pack the scale and diet stuff away;

even if you aren't ready to banish the stuff from the house, but are ready to

put it in the basement, that is a great step!

If you aren't ready to put it away, then just be gentle with yourself, and talk

to yourself to try and figure out where the resistance lies.

But it DOES sound like you are ready; you acknowledge diets just don't work, and

that you want to take this step; in that case go for it!!

You'll have people here to help and support you along.

Try to give up the idea that diet can be " on the back burner " because you

already know diets DON'T work, and this WILL work so long as you go for it

totally!

Good luck!!

I'm new to this support group but practiced non-diet eating for 15 years; I did

revert to dieting for a year and a half because I gave into lots of pressure

from a Dr. and I regret it now; that diet didn't work, and none of them have

ever worked!!!! To me, this is the only way. I've been a big follower of

Overcoming Overeating for many years; I'm happy for the peace of mind and better

relationship to food now.

Laurie