No One REALLY Wants to Diet...
Deep down, let's be honest: dieting just isn't fun. Wouldn't you choose the freedom to eat delicious foods and experience positive health outcomes?
Well, guess what? Intuitive eating makes that a reality.
Forget the deprivation and calorie counting of traditional diets. Intuitive eating is a research-backed (over 140 studies!) approach that focuses on healing your relationship with food and your body.
Let's face it, the "diet cycle" is a trap. You restrict, feel deprived, eventually overeat, and then the guilt sets in, leading you right back to restricting. This yo-yo effect takes a toll on your physical and mental health.
But there's another way. Here's a real-life example from one of my past group coaching clients: a client who struggled with chronic dieting, overexercising, and a cascade of health concerns for years. Doctors kept pushing the same mantra – "diet and exercise."
However, focusing on more restriction did not work. Finally, she prioritized healing her relationship with food and her body. Guess what happened? This past week, she received a normal EKG result for the first time in years! Additionally, her blood pressure and cholesterol improved.
This transformation wasn't about deprivation.
It was about:
Enjoying food: She learned to reconnect with the pleasure of eating and embrace a variety of foods.
Moving her body (not overexerting): She found joy in movement without pushing herself to exhaustion.
Prioritizing well-being: She focused on holistic health, including mental and emotional well-being, not just the numbers on the scale.
Inner healing: She addressed the underlying reasons behind her unhealthy food and exercise habits.
This is the power of intuitive eating. It's not about a quick fix; it's about a long-term, sustainable approach to health and happiness. Here's how you can get started:
Reconnect with Hunger & Fullness Cues:
Ditch the Diet Mentality: Forget calorie counting and restrictive meal plans. Instead, focus on honoring, trusting and listening to your body.
Hunger Scale: Use a 1-10 scale (1 being starving, 10 being stuffed) to gauge your hunger throughout the day. Aim to eat when you reach a 4-5 (moderately hungry) and stop when comfortably full around a 6-7.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to physical hunger cues like stomach growling, feeling lightheaded, or low energy. Notice when you start feeling satisfied and stop before reaching uncomfortably full.
Make Peace with All Foods:
Ditch the "Good" & "Bad" Labels: All foods have a place in a balanced diet. Restricting foods can lead to cravings and binge eating.
Permission to Eat: Give yourself unconditional permission to eat all foods, including treats and snacks. This reduces the emotional charge around food and allows for mindful choices.
Explore with Curiosity: Approach new foods with an open mind. Experiment with different flavors and textures to discover what you enjoy.
Challenge the Food Police:
Identify Your Inner Critic: We all have that voice that criticizes our food choices. Acknowledge these thoughts without judgment and challenge their validity.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when you make "mistakes." Everyone has occasional overindulgences. Focus on progress, not perfection.
Focus on the Benefits: Shift your focus from weight loss to the positive aspects of mindful eating, like increased energy, improved mood, and a better relationship with food.
Remember, true health involves taking care of your whole self – mind, body, and spirit. Intuitive eating is a powerful tool to help you achieve that. Are you ready to ditch the diet and embrace a life of freedom, joy, and well-being?
Click here to learn ways in which I can support you on this journey to AUTHENTIC Health and Healing 💜
