Re: Lessons from my husband

[Guest guest]

Yes, Casey, I agree that IE is different for each of us. I wouldn't dare try to

eat exactly like him. God is showing me what is working for me.

He can eat desserts many days per week, I can not.

He can eat lots of pasta and rice, I can not.

He eats three meals a day, I have learned that my body only needs two meals and

maybe a small snack on some days.

He can eat waffles with syrup for breakfast and feel fine, I become lethargic

after a meal like that.

>

> Hi there -

>

> It appears that your husband is a *very* " Intuitive " eater and you have

> provided some very interesting insights. However, I think its important for

> all of us to remember that someone else's picture of what is intuitive might

> look very different for what is intuitive for individually. I think its easy

> (because this is a habit practiced in dieting) to try to live up to someone

> else's standards. Not that I think this wasn't a very interesting exercise

> and I'm so happy you shared these ideas with us, just wanted to throw a

> quick warning out there that IE needs to be personal, flexible, and used as

> a method to learn about our needs and our lives as unique individuals.

>

> Best Wishes,

> Casey

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for sharing this.  It sounds like your husband has great freedom!  I know copying the behavior of a " thin eater " doesn't necessarily help, but I think it helps to know and observe a real person who is a naturally " thin eater. "   We can learn some valuable things.  And you are right on about choosing to appreciate and learn from him instead of being envious.

 

My husband is thin. I have often been envious of how he can just eat whatever he desires without worrying about how many calories or carbs it contains.

I decided to just sit and think about what I have observed about his eating patterns.

1. He rarely eats seconds. He eats what I put on his plate and that's it. Over the years, I have come to know how much will be just enough for him.

2. He takes his time. He doesn't gobble all his food in 10 minutes.

3. If he doesn't like it, he doesn't eat it.

4. If we eat at a restaurant and he has a meal that is largely starchy (i.e. pasta or rice) he will *always* take home a leftover box.

5. If he gets to a point of being stuffed (which is rare) he will stop eating. He never keeps going because it tastes good or because it's on his plate.

6. He *never* eats more than a small to medium sized serving of dessert items: 2-3 cookies, one ice cream bar, two scoops of ice cream, one slice of pie or cake, half a bag of M & Ms. And he eats a dessert item at least four to five days per week.

7. The only time he nibbles is when he is really hungry and I am late with fixing a meal.

8. He is not a big bread eater, he prefers meats. So he will never allow himself to become full from eating bread because he doesn't prefer it. He does love a certain type of drink (virgin) at one of our favorite restaurants. He will allow himself to have many servings of this because he likes it so much and because we don't dine out often. He will end up eating less of his meal and he is OK with that.

I have learned so much by observing and appreciating his habits instead of being envious. I have also realized that often the things we are envious of, we can actually learn from.