Re: An update on progress...

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the encouragement and sharing of your journey.  It really helps.  Today I did not eat enough lunch and within 2 hours was ravenous.  So I had my usual pudding dessert that fills and satisfies me.  But not this time. I was still so hungry even after an hour so the rebellious kid came out and I had an ice cream bar. I felt like I was back in diet mentality, watching what and how much I ate, feeling guilty about my choice and thinking I really shouldn't have. The feelings came back with a vengeance too.  Like a kid having a tantrum, being deprived, scolded, all of it.  But I am being kind to myself and taking this as a powerful learning lesson to eat enough and not get overly hungry. I had some diet soda at a restaurant(has caffeine) and I think that contributes to my sense of hunger.  I don't usually have caffeine. I think more than anything it is the sweet taste that sets off my sweet tooth. Live and learn. Stay with the process and on the journey.  Sandy

 

Hi All,

I've been focused on IE for the past two years and one thing is for sure: its definitely a journey and a process.

I find that the best thing that helps me is to be patient and kind to myself, and as a result, also allow myself not just forgiveness and unconditional permission to eat, but also TIME to enjoy my meals. The past few days, I decided to really take my time when eating and chewing to taste and savor each bite fully. Something I found remarkable was that when eating like this, I become satisfied with a lot less food and its easier to identify fullness/satisfaction signals. After taking each bite, I put down my utensils and really enjoy... I actually make a point to taste and now swallow until the food has become liquefied. Today, at lunch, I realized that after only five bites I felt completely full and didn't want to eat anymore. It was one of the most enjoyable meals I have ever had!

It really doesn't take long, because I tend to eat a lot less, and even if I don't, I know that I deserve to enjoy my food! I also feel a lot lighter everyday though, I haven't weighed myself because I don't need to as my focus is on FEELING GOOD .

I also really try to be calm throughout the day, especially when I want to eat, and when emotional issues come up, lately, I've been more aware and have a conversation with myself: " ok M... what are you really feeling? what do you really need? Everything is going to be alright, I'm here to take care of you! " That really helps me calm down and identify my true feelings and do something truly nurturing for myself.

I'm definitely a work in progress and more and more I realize each day that without a doubt, IE is the way to LIVE! This realization alone took me a while as the self-loathing and diet mentality kept creeping up... and I know its a process to learn to let go and learn to trust your body, but believe me when I say that your body will tell you everything you need to know to live a happy and full life if we only learn to stop and listen. All the IE principles are like new muscles and will get stronger with practice and patience.

Anyways... I don't mean to go on and on... I was just reflecting on my IE journey so far and thought I share.

Happy Saturday everyone!

M.

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

First of all I am so glad I joined this group. Already in just 3 weeks , I learned so much.

What I have been practicing this week is to have forgiveness for myself. I can forgive myself in every area of my life BUT when it comes to food and eating, I am very harsh to myself.

Being kind to myself when I eat, is definitly a challenge for me.

The second practice for me is NOT to label my eating behavior. for example, I had a big ice cream bar on sat, and sunday. My typical message to myself was" see you did again. you ate icecream and that is fattening. you will gain weight, you will be unhappy and miserable, etc"

instead " i told myself,"you had an ice cream bar when you wanted and craved it. did you enjoy the ice cream. if NOT, make sure you enjoy next time" that is it. I did not add story to me eating icecream. I stopped judging myself.

I decided NOT to label my eating as "binging" somehow it has such a negative message for me. Instead I kept reminding myself, I just ate an ice cream , cookie, etc. that is it.

I tried to practice this the whole weekend. Eventhough, I ate more than my usual, my head is not full of negative messages. I feel calm but I feel I am on the edge as it is a new way of thinking. I can go either way.

Now, my dilemma is how to talk to myself and tell myself" I have allergy to milk products and nuts. Ice cream is not a good choice of food for me.

thanks, shoku

Hi All,I've been focused on IE for the past two years and one thing is for sure: its definitely a journey and a process. I find that the best thing that helps me is to be patient and kind to myself, and as a result, also allow myself not just forgiveness and unconditional permission to eat, but also TIME to enjoy my meals. The past few days, I decided to really take my time when eating and chewing to taste and savor each bite fully. Something I found remarkable was that when eating like this, I become satisfied with a lot less food and its easier to identify fullness/satisfaction signals. After taking each bite, I put down my utensils and really enjoy... I actually make a point to taste and now swallow until the food has become liquefied. Today, at lunch, I realized that after only five bites I felt completely full and didn't want to eat anymore. It was one of the most enjoyable meals I have ever had! It really doesn't take long,

because I tend to eat a lot less, and even if I don't, I know that I deserve to enjoy my food! I also feel a lot lighter everyday though, I haven't weighed myself because I don't need to as my focus is on FEELING GOOD . I also really try to be calm throughout the day, especially when I want to eat, and when emotional issues come up, lately, I've been more aware and have a conversation with myself: "ok M... what are you really feeling? what do you really need? Everything is going to be alright, I'm here to take care of you!" That really helps me calm down and identify my true feelings and do something truly nurturing for myself. I'm definitely a work in progress and more and more I realize each day that without a doubt, IE is the way to LIVE! This realization alone took me a while as the self-loathing and diet mentality kept creeping up... and I know its a process to learn to let go and learn to trust your body, but believe me when I

say that your body will tell you everything you need to know to live a happy and full life if we only learn to stop and listen. All the IE principles are like new muscles and will get stronger with practice and patience.Anyways... I don't mean to go on and on... I was just reflecting on my IE journey so far and thought I share.Happy Saturday everyone!M.

[Guest guest]

Good for you!  What a break through.  Keep up the good work and keep sharing.  Sandy

 

Hello All,

First of all I am so glad I joined this group. Already in just 3 weeks , I learned so much.

What I have been practicing this week is to have forgiveness for myself. I can forgive myself in every area of my life BUT when it comes to food and eating, I am very harsh to myself.

Being kind to myself when I eat, is definitly a challenge for me.

 

The second practice for me is NOT to label my eating behavior. for example, I had a big ice cream bar on sat, and sunday. My typical message to myself was " see you did again. you ate icecream and that is fattening. you will gain weight, you will be unhappy and miserable, etc "

instead " i told myself, " you had an ice cream bar when you wanted and craved it. did you enjoy the ice cream. if NOT, make sure you enjoy next time " that is it. I did not add story to me eating icecream. I stopped judging myself.

I decided NOT to label my eating as " binging " somehow it has such a negative message for me. Instead I kept reminding myself, I just ate an ice cream , cookie, etc. that is it.

 

I tried to practice this the whole weekend. Eventhough, I ate more than my usual, my head is not full of negative messages. I feel calm but I feel I am on the edge as it is a new way of thinking. I can go either way.

 

Now, my dilemma is how to talk to myself and tell myself " I have allergy to milk products and nuts. Ice cream is not a good choice of food for me.

 

thanks, shoku

 

 

Hi All,I've been focused on IE for the past two years and one thing is for sure: its definitely a journey and a process. I find that the best thing that helps me is to be patient and kind to myself, and as a result, also allow myself not just forgiveness and unconditional permission to eat, but also TIME to enjoy my meals. The past few days, I decided to really take my time when eating and chewing to taste and savor each bite fully. Something I found remarkable was that when eating like this, I become satisfied with a lot less food and its easier to identify fullness/satisfaction signals. After taking each bite, I put down my utensils and really enjoy... I actually make a point to taste and now swallow until the food has become liquefied. Today, at lunch, I realized that after only five bites I felt completely full and didn't want to eat anymore. It was one of the most enjoyable meals I have ever had!

It really doesn't take long,

because I tend to eat a lot less, and even if I don't, I know that I deserve to enjoy my food! I also feel a lot lighter everyday though, I haven't weighed myself because I don't need to as my focus is on FEELING GOOD .

I also really try to be calm throughout the day, especially when I want to eat, and when emotional issues come up, lately, I've been more aware and have a conversation with myself: " ok M... what are you really feeling? what do you really need? Everything is going to be alright, I'm here to take care of you! " That really helps me calm down and identify my true feelings and do something truly nurturing for myself.

I'm definitely a work in progress and more and more I realize each day that without a doubt, IE is the way to LIVE! This realization alone took me a while as the self-loathing and diet mentality kept creeping up... and I know its a process to learn to let go and learn to trust your body, but believe me when I

say that your body will tell you everything you need to know to live a happy and full life if we only learn to stop and listen. All the IE principles are like new muscles and will get stronger with practice and patience.

Anyways... I don't mean to go on and on... I was just reflecting on my IE journey so far and thought I share.Happy Saturday everyone!M.