Hello

[Guest guest]

My name is Jen W. I'm new to this group and I find this concept of

intuitive eating to be so true in my life. I had been a dieter for

many years and suffered from low self-esteem. My parents were always

trying to " help " me because I was about 15-20 pounds over-weight. I

met my husband in college and he was so unconditionally loving to

me. I felt good about myself when I was with him. Throughout our

engagement, I didn't diet even though I wanted to be fit for our

wedding. I naturally exercised and enjoyed it. I found myself just

eating well and I never denied myself of foods I wanted. I just ate

when I was hungry. I don't remember being deprived at all, yet I

lost 30 pounds before our wedding in about 3 months time. My then

fiance' was worried that I had been starving myself or something

because he was working out of town and only saw me a few times during

that time. I wasn't at all, I was just HAPPY! I kept that weight

off for two years by doing the exact same thing I had done to lose

it, NOTHING! I felt great and did have treats whenever I felt like

it. I exercised because it felt good and was habbit. Then I got

pregnant with my first baby and I began to WORRY as I gained weight

very fast. The more I obsessed over what I was eating, the more I

craved " forbidden " foods. Eventually after my baby was born, I did

lose the weight, but it was through dieting. Finally I got back into

a natural way of eating again, but then I got pregnant again. I've

seen this cycle over and over whenever I've become pregnant. I'm

currently 40 pounds over weight and my baby is 15 months old. I long

to have a normal relationship with food again and also get fit!

Thank you for this group!