In my years of dieting, I deprived myself. No, that cookie is bad! I am such a fat ugly you name it if I eat that chicken wing. Don’t have that cookie, someone probably sneezed on it (though when people say that to avoid eating something “bad” it is totally not a deterrent to me).
I was hungry all the time. All the time.
I thought about food all the time. All the time. It probably made me hungry. I was obsessed.
I thought of points, how life would be better if I lost the weight (Ha!) and what the hell was I going to eat next?
When will I eat next?
OMG, is that too many points???????
Recently, I made the mistake of going a long long time without eating and when I did, boy was I ravenous. If I go to the store when I am hungry, I know I buy way too much stuff that I don’t really want or need. It is just a never ending cycle that has me back where I started.
As I have been putting all that back over the last two weeks with more success some days than on other days, I know start Phase 2 of Intuitive Eating – Honoring My Hunger.
Is that my stomach I hear?
I am going to judge my hunger several times a day on a scale of 1 – Empty to 10 – Thanksgiving full.
I am a huge emotional eater – so I will use my LAMBS questions as well.
Am I Lonely? (huge huge huge trigger)
Am I Angry?
Am I Miserable?
Am I Bored? (another huge trigger)
Am I Sad?
Stomach, it is time I listen and trust you.
I always feel that if I would lose weight-EVERYTHING would be better. My mind, my soul, my outlook,my life. You will be successful-you are looking at hunger the right way. Food is just fuel. Now if I could listen to your advice maybe my emotions won't continue to take over.
ReplyDeleteI had lost 100 lbs and I was still the same person and no, it didn't solve my problems. It has been so hard trying to change 30 year habits.
DeleteI think the problem occurs when people don't refuel their bodies with what their bodies need (fruit, veggies, good protein). I totally believe in honoring hunger and believe me, I use to see EVERYTHING as points. Now I see everything as, "what will this do for my body?"
ReplyDeleteI hope to hear more about your intuitive eating journey. I know for a fact that I am not mentally ready for intuitive eating just yet.
Best of luck!
Kristen
The Highs and Lows of the Scale
It just fueled my obsession and lets just say I had some very unhealthy habits. I am just burned out totally and need something new.
DeleteI am following your journey too!
I like your LAMBS questions!
ReplyDeleteIt is something I learned going to Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia support groups. A CBT fix.
DeleteI think it's good to honor your hunger. When we're trying to lose weight, when the focus is on that, then we don't honor the hunger, we try to stifle it. And that's not healthy.
ReplyDeleteI think that's great that you're listening to your body. I think I don't do that nearly enough.
ReplyDeleteI love your LAMS questions! I think I may have to start using them myself. I'm part of a health and wellness group called Project 10. A group of us are posting about our journeys towards incorporating a healthier lifestyle - you should come link up with us: http://www.soxysdiamond.com/2012/07/project-10-week-6.html
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to meeting you next week at Legacy Place!
I am looking forward to Monday night.
DeleteI will start linking up next week.
The lambs questions are great and I've used them all at one time or another.
ReplyDeleteI've had that 'hungry all the time' feeling as well. One of the most important things I've gotten from intuitive eating is finding the right combinations and amounts of foods so I don't feel that way.
I'm so happy that you are finding a way that is working for you:)