Re: So much time, so little food...

[Guest guest]

I agree - my life has been structured around my eating/diet preoccupation for

some time now. Especially going unconscious in front of the tv while I have a

marathon dinner.

I find that Geneen Roth's stuff helps me with learning to simply be with myself

in the moment. It's not easy though... and I woggle back and forth from the old

thinking to the new a lot. She says something about it takes a lot of practice

for things like this to become easy. Think that's probably true; but in the

meantime there are lots of big and little hurdles to negotiate.

I'll be buying myself some more audio tapes and on-line classes so that I can

listen to them while I'm doing stuff (other than eating) around the house.

Probably it'll take a while for this to feel somewhat normal, I'm thinkin'.

>

> What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent " not

> eating? " Big laugh, please. []

> If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very

> much of my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT

> to eat, etc. I know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's

> time to lighten up. This food issue really makes one dramatic

> (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do not need much food. Maybe I

> should speak for myself. I am not at active 17-year-old, AND I am short.

> My body just needs enough to keep me going - and preferably to keep me

> healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have enjoyed some

> " treats " since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat

> mostly healthy foods. As silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not

> finding this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of

> thinking, " Wow! This is it, and this is easy! " I have fallen back into

> some old ways, and I find it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me

> angry. I want easy. Well, this is my " issue. " I have had it for decades,

> and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food and

> weight.

> Waiting for true hunger,

> [b-)]

>

[Guest guest]

,

Isn't it strange, after all the time we've " normally " spent eating, planning,

thinking about, obsessing about food, it turns out it should be such a small

part of our lives? Given that I'm not up to cooking much without " sampling "

everything, I'm not even spending almost any time cooking right now. And on

days when I don't have a lot of conflicts and scheduling issues, waiting for

hunger and then eating what little is needed to satisfy my hunger really doesn't

intrude into my day much at all!

But like you, I am also finding that while it's simple, it's not easy, and I'm

having lots of uncomfortable emotions, instead of the only the simple peace with

food. Maybe that's it - instead of fighting with food, now I'm fighting with

myself. But being gentle with myself is one of the most important lessons.

Just goes to show that this is a process and a journey.

Jane

>

> What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent " not

> eating? " Big laugh, please. []

> If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very

> much of my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT

> to eat, etc. I know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's

> time to lighten up. This food issue really makes one dramatic

> (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do not need much food. Maybe I

> should speak for myself. I am not at active 17-year-old, AND I am short.

> My body just needs enough to keep me going - and preferably to keep me

> healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have enjoyed some

> " treats " since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat

> mostly healthy foods. As silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not

> finding this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of

> thinking, " Wow! This is it, and this is easy! " I have fallen back into

> some old ways, and I find it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me

> angry. I want easy. Well, this is my " issue. " I have had it for decades,

> and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food and

> weight.

> Waiting for true hunger,

> [b-)]

>

[Guest guest]

Every time I think I am doing well, I seem to walk backwards. Just like any addiction, I feel that I must work on my food problem regularly until it becomes habit, if it ever does. AA's do need to keep going to meetings, etc., well maybe one day I'll be normal, who knows? But today I feel I did not do well. I did not wait until I was hungry for lunch and I ate in part what I really did not find pleasing to my palate, but since I paid for it, I finished it. Maybe tomorrow will be different, I hope so.

TaiTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:57 PMSubject: So much time, so little food...

What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent "not eating?" Big laugh, please. If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very much of my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT to eat, etc. I know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's time to lighten up. This food issue really makes one dramatic (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do not need much food. Maybe I should speak for myself. I am not at active 17-year-old, AND I am short. My body just needs enough to keep me going - and preferably to keep me healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have enjoyed some "treats" since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat mostly healthy foods. As

silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not finding this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of thinking, "Wow! This is it, and this is easy!" I have fallen back into some old ways, and I find it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me angry. I want easy. Well, this is my "issue." I have had it for decades, and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food and weight. Waiting for true hunger,

[Guest guest]

Every time I think I am doing well, I seem to walk backwards. Just like any addiction, I feel that I must work on my food problem regularly until it becomes habit, if it ever does. AA's do need to keep going to meetings, etc., well maybe one day I'll be normal, who knows? But today I feel I did not do well. I did not wait until I was hungry for lunch and I ate in part what I really did not find pleasing to my palate, but since I paid for it, I finished it. Maybe tomorrow will be different, I hope so.

TaiTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:57 PMSubject: So much time, so little food...

What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent "not eating?" Big laugh, please. If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very much of my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT to eat, etc. I know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's time to lighten up. This food issue really makes one dramatic (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do not need much food. Maybe I should speak for myself. I am not at active 17-year-old, AND I am short. My body just needs enough to keep me going - and preferably to keep me healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have enjoyed some "treats" since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat mostly healthy foods. As

silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not finding this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of thinking, "Wow! This is it, and this is easy!" I have fallen back into some old ways, and I find it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me angry. I want easy. Well, this is my "issue." I have had it for decades, and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food and weight. Waiting for true hunger,

[Guest guest]

Every time I think I am doing well, I seem to walk backwards. Just like any addiction, I feel that I must work on my food problem regularly until it becomes habit, if it ever does. AA's do need to keep going to meetings, etc., well maybe one day I'll be normal, who knows? But today I feel I did not do well. I did not wait until I was hungry for lunch and I ate in part what I really did not find pleasing to my palate, but since I paid for it, I finished it. Maybe tomorrow will be different, I hope so.

TaiTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:57 PMSubject: So much time, so little food...

What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent "not eating?" Big laugh, please. If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very much of my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT to eat, etc. I know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's time to lighten up. This food issue really makes one dramatic (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do not need much food. Maybe I should speak for myself. I am not at active 17-year-old, AND I am short. My body just needs enough to keep me going - and preferably to keep me healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have enjoyed some "treats" since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat mostly healthy foods. As

silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not finding this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of thinking, "Wow! This is it, and this is easy!" I have fallen back into some old ways, and I find it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me angry. I want easy. Well, this is my "issue." I have had it for decades, and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food and weight. Waiting for true hunger,

[Guest guest]

Tai,

One of the freeing things about IE is being able to release the guilt when I

don't do it perfectly. When a few minutes AFTER a meal, I realize I am overfull

again, I feel just disgusted with myself, because I'm trying so hard NOT to do

that, but it does often take a few minutes after I stop eating to know whether I

succeeded. I have learned in those moments of clarity to say to myself, " That's

okay, Jane. I'll have to suffer for a while until this is digested, but ALL I

HAVE TO DO IS WAIT UNTIL I'M HUNGRY AGAIN before I eat again. I am NOT a

failure. There is just a learning curve on this and I misjudged a little where

that stopping point was. Doing this is helping me feel a LOT better about

myself. So I'd counsel you to be gentle with yourself, and instead of the " diet

think " of " Well, I've blown today already, so I may as well eat everything

else! " just tell yourself it's a momentary set-back and you'll just wait for

your next hunger and feel for that " not hungry " again. Practice may not make

perfect, but it make closer aproximations of what we're shooting for. Sometimes

I also think back over my meal and remember the point at which I now think might

have been the spot to stop and imagine myself stopping then, kind of like

olympic athletes imagine themselves breaking the record.

One hint I've figured out is that IF I WONDER WHETHER IS SHOULD STOP, I SHOULD,

at least for a pause until it's clear one way or the other whether I'm still

hungry. Like Rob s recommended in " The Overfed Head, " I take one more

bite for taste and then push my food away.

Jane

>

> Every time I think I am doing well, I seem to walk backwards. Just like any

addiction, I feel that I must work on my food problem regularly until it becomes

habit, if it ever does. AA's do need to keep going to meetings, etc., well maybe

one day I'll be normal, who knows? But today I feel I did not do well. I did not

wait until I was hungry for lunch and I ate in part what I really did not find

pleasing to my palate, but since I paid for it, I finished it. Maybe tomorrow

will be different, I hope so. Tai

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:57 PM

> Subject: So much time, so little food...

>

>

>  

> What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent " not

eating? " Big laugh, please. 

>

> If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very much of

my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT to eat, etc. I

know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's time to lighten up. This

food issue really makes one dramatic (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do

not need much food. Maybe I should speak for myself. I am not at active

17-year-old, AND I am short. My body just needs enough to keep me going - and

preferably to keep me healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have

enjoyed some " treats " since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat

mostly healthy foods. As silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not finding

this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of thinking, " Wow!

This is it, and this is easy! " I have fallen back into some old ways, and I find

it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me angry. I want easy. Well, this is

my " issue. " I have had it for

> decades, and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food

and weight. 

>

> Waiting for true hunger, 

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tai,

One of the freeing things about IE is being able to release the guilt when I

don't do it perfectly. When a few minutes AFTER a meal, I realize I am overfull

again, I feel just disgusted with myself, because I'm trying so hard NOT to do

that, but it does often take a few minutes after I stop eating to know whether I

succeeded. I have learned in those moments of clarity to say to myself, " That's

okay, Jane. I'll have to suffer for a while until this is digested, but ALL I

HAVE TO DO IS WAIT UNTIL I'M HUNGRY AGAIN before I eat again. I am NOT a

failure. There is just a learning curve on this and I misjudged a little where

that stopping point was. Doing this is helping me feel a LOT better about

myself. So I'd counsel you to be gentle with yourself, and instead of the " diet

think " of " Well, I've blown today already, so I may as well eat everything

else! " just tell yourself it's a momentary set-back and you'll just wait for

your next hunger and feel for that " not hungry " again. Practice may not make

perfect, but it make closer aproximations of what we're shooting for. Sometimes

I also think back over my meal and remember the point at which I now think might

have been the spot to stop and imagine myself stopping then, kind of like

olympic athletes imagine themselves breaking the record.

One hint I've figured out is that IF I WONDER WHETHER IS SHOULD STOP, I SHOULD,

at least for a pause until it's clear one way or the other whether I'm still

hungry. Like Rob s recommended in " The Overfed Head, " I take one more

bite for taste and then push my food away.

Jane

>

> Every time I think I am doing well, I seem to walk backwards. Just like any

addiction, I feel that I must work on my food problem regularly until it becomes

habit, if it ever does. AA's do need to keep going to meetings, etc., well maybe

one day I'll be normal, who knows? But today I feel I did not do well. I did not

wait until I was hungry for lunch and I ate in part what I really did not find

pleasing to my palate, but since I paid for it, I finished it. Maybe tomorrow

will be different, I hope so. Tai

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:57 PM

> Subject: So much time, so little food...

>

>

>  

> What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent " not

eating? " Big laugh, please. 

>

> If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very much of

my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT to eat, etc. I

know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's time to lighten up. This

food issue really makes one dramatic (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do

not need much food. Maybe I should speak for myself. I am not at active

17-year-old, AND I am short. My body just needs enough to keep me going - and

preferably to keep me healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have

enjoyed some " treats " since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat

mostly healthy foods. As silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not finding

this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of thinking, " Wow!

This is it, and this is easy! " I have fallen back into some old ways, and I find

it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me angry. I want easy. Well, this is

my " issue. " I have had it for

> decades, and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food

and weight. 

>

> Waiting for true hunger, 

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tai,

One of the freeing things about IE is being able to release the guilt when I

don't do it perfectly. When a few minutes AFTER a meal, I realize I am overfull

again, I feel just disgusted with myself, because I'm trying so hard NOT to do

that, but it does often take a few minutes after I stop eating to know whether I

succeeded. I have learned in those moments of clarity to say to myself, " That's

okay, Jane. I'll have to suffer for a while until this is digested, but ALL I

HAVE TO DO IS WAIT UNTIL I'M HUNGRY AGAIN before I eat again. I am NOT a

failure. There is just a learning curve on this and I misjudged a little where

that stopping point was. Doing this is helping me feel a LOT better about

myself. So I'd counsel you to be gentle with yourself, and instead of the " diet

think " of " Well, I've blown today already, so I may as well eat everything

else! " just tell yourself it's a momentary set-back and you'll just wait for

your next hunger and feel for that " not hungry " again. Practice may not make

perfect, but it make closer aproximations of what we're shooting for. Sometimes

I also think back over my meal and remember the point at which I now think might

have been the spot to stop and imagine myself stopping then, kind of like

olympic athletes imagine themselves breaking the record.

One hint I've figured out is that IF I WONDER WHETHER IS SHOULD STOP, I SHOULD,

at least for a pause until it's clear one way or the other whether I'm still

hungry. Like Rob s recommended in " The Overfed Head, " I take one more

bite for taste and then push my food away.

Jane

>

> Every time I think I am doing well, I seem to walk backwards. Just like any

addiction, I feel that I must work on my food problem regularly until it becomes

habit, if it ever does. AA's do need to keep going to meetings, etc., well maybe

one day I'll be normal, who knows? But today I feel I did not do well. I did not

wait until I was hungry for lunch and I ate in part what I really did not find

pleasing to my palate, but since I paid for it, I finished it. Maybe tomorrow

will be different, I hope so. Tai

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:57 PM

> Subject: So much time, so little food...

>

>

>  

> What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent " not

eating? " Big laugh, please. 

>

> If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very much of

my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT to eat, etc. I

know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's time to lighten up. This

food issue really makes one dramatic (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do

not need much food. Maybe I should speak for myself. I am not at active

17-year-old, AND I am short. My body just needs enough to keep me going - and

preferably to keep me healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have

enjoyed some " treats " since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat

mostly healthy foods. As silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not finding

this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of thinking, " Wow!

This is it, and this is easy! " I have fallen back into some old ways, and I find

it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me angry. I want easy. Well, this is

my " issue. " I have had it for

> decades, and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food

and weight. 

>

> Waiting for true hunger, 

>

>

[Guest guest]

Very good points, Jane. I am talking more to myself now like you are doing and still learning about the full signal, and I do have the same feeling and when I'm thinking if I'm satisfied, I probably am satisfied. I believe it will take time to put this into steady action. :-) TaiTo:

IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 12:56 PMSubject: Re: So much time, so little food...

Tai,

One of the freeing things about IE is being able to release the guilt when I don't do it perfectly. When a few minutes AFTER a meal, I realize I am overfull again, I feel just disgusted with myself, because I'm trying so hard NOT to do that, but it does often take a few minutes after I stop eating to know whether I succeeded. I have learned in those moments of clarity to say to myself, "That's okay, Jane. I'll have to suffer for a while until this is digested, but ALL I HAVE TO DO IS WAIT UNTIL I'M HUNGRY AGAIN before I eat again. I am NOT a failure. There is just a learning curve on this and I misjudged a little where that stopping point was. Doing this is helping me feel a LOT better about myself. So I'd counsel you to be gentle with yourself, and instead of the "diet think" of "Well, I've blown today already, so I may as well eat everything else!" just tell yourself it's a momentary set-back and you'll just wait for your next hunger and feel

for that "not hungry" again. Practice may not make perfect, but it make closer aproximations of what we're shooting for. Sometimes I also think back over my meal and remember the point at which I now think might have been the spot to stop and imagine myself stopping then, kind of like olympic athletes imagine themselves breaking the record.

One hint I've figured out is that IF I WONDER WHETHER IS SHOULD STOP, I SHOULD, at least for a pause until it's clear one way or the other whether I'm still hungry. Like Rob s recommended in "The Overfed Head," I take one more bite for taste and then push my food away.

Jane

>

> Every time I think I am doing well, I seem to walk backwards. Just like any addiction, I feel that I must work on my food problem regularly until it becomes habit, if it ever does. AA's do need to keep going to meetings, etc., well maybe one day I'll be normal, who knows? But today I feel I did not do well. I did not wait until I was hungry for lunch and I ate in part what I really did not find pleasing to my palate, but since I paid for it, I finished it. Maybe tomorrow will be different, I hope so. Tai

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:57 PM

> Subject: So much time, so little food...

>

>

> Â

> What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent "not eating?" Big laugh, please.Â

>

> If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very much of my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT to eat, etc. I know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's time to lighten up. This food issue really makes one dramatic (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do not need much food. Maybe I should speak for myself. I am not at active 17-year-old, AND I am short. My body just needs enough to keep me going - and preferably to keep me healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have enjoyed some "treats" since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat mostly healthy foods. As silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not finding this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of thinking, "Wow! This is it, and this is easy!" I have fallen back into some old ways, and I find it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me angry. I want easy. Well, this is my "issue." I have had

it for

> decades, and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food and weight.Â

>

> Waiting for true hunger,Â

>

>

[Guest guest]

Very good points, Jane. I am talking more to myself now like you are doing and still learning about the full signal, and I do have the same feeling and when I'm thinking if I'm satisfied, I probably am satisfied. I believe it will take time to put this into steady action. :-) TaiTo:

IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 12:56 PMSubject: Re: So much time, so little food...

Tai,

One of the freeing things about IE is being able to release the guilt when I don't do it perfectly. When a few minutes AFTER a meal, I realize I am overfull again, I feel just disgusted with myself, because I'm trying so hard NOT to do that, but it does often take a few minutes after I stop eating to know whether I succeeded. I have learned in those moments of clarity to say to myself, "That's okay, Jane. I'll have to suffer for a while until this is digested, but ALL I HAVE TO DO IS WAIT UNTIL I'M HUNGRY AGAIN before I eat again. I am NOT a failure. There is just a learning curve on this and I misjudged a little where that stopping point was. Doing this is helping me feel a LOT better about myself. So I'd counsel you to be gentle with yourself, and instead of the "diet think" of "Well, I've blown today already, so I may as well eat everything else!" just tell yourself it's a momentary set-back and you'll just wait for your next hunger and feel

for that "not hungry" again. Practice may not make perfect, but it make closer aproximations of what we're shooting for. Sometimes I also think back over my meal and remember the point at which I now think might have been the spot to stop and imagine myself stopping then, kind of like olympic athletes imagine themselves breaking the record.

One hint I've figured out is that IF I WONDER WHETHER IS SHOULD STOP, I SHOULD, at least for a pause until it's clear one way or the other whether I'm still hungry. Like Rob s recommended in "The Overfed Head," I take one more bite for taste and then push my food away.

Jane

>

> Every time I think I am doing well, I seem to walk backwards. Just like any addiction, I feel that I must work on my food problem regularly until it becomes habit, if it ever does. AA's do need to keep going to meetings, etc., well maybe one day I'll be normal, who knows? But today I feel I did not do well. I did not wait until I was hungry for lunch and I ate in part what I really did not find pleasing to my palate, but since I paid for it, I finished it. Maybe tomorrow will be different, I hope so. Tai

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:57 PM

> Subject: So much time, so little food...

>

>

> Â

> What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent "not eating?" Big laugh, please.Â

>

> If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very much of my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT to eat, etc. I know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's time to lighten up. This food issue really makes one dramatic (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do not need much food. Maybe I should speak for myself. I am not at active 17-year-old, AND I am short. My body just needs enough to keep me going - and preferably to keep me healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have enjoyed some "treats" since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat mostly healthy foods. As silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not finding this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of thinking, "Wow! This is it, and this is easy!" I have fallen back into some old ways, and I find it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me angry. I want easy. Well, this is my "issue." I have had

it for

> decades, and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food and weight.Â

>

> Waiting for true hunger,Â

>

>

[Guest guest]

Very good points, Jane. I am talking more to myself now like you are doing and still learning about the full signal, and I do have the same feeling and when I'm thinking if I'm satisfied, I probably am satisfied. I believe it will take time to put this into steady action. :-) TaiTo:

IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 12:56 PMSubject: Re: So much time, so little food...

Tai,

One of the freeing things about IE is being able to release the guilt when I don't do it perfectly. When a few minutes AFTER a meal, I realize I am overfull again, I feel just disgusted with myself, because I'm trying so hard NOT to do that, but it does often take a few minutes after I stop eating to know whether I succeeded. I have learned in those moments of clarity to say to myself, "That's okay, Jane. I'll have to suffer for a while until this is digested, but ALL I HAVE TO DO IS WAIT UNTIL I'M HUNGRY AGAIN before I eat again. I am NOT a failure. There is just a learning curve on this and I misjudged a little where that stopping point was. Doing this is helping me feel a LOT better about myself. So I'd counsel you to be gentle with yourself, and instead of the "diet think" of "Well, I've blown today already, so I may as well eat everything else!" just tell yourself it's a momentary set-back and you'll just wait for your next hunger and feel

for that "not hungry" again. Practice may not make perfect, but it make closer aproximations of what we're shooting for. Sometimes I also think back over my meal and remember the point at which I now think might have been the spot to stop and imagine myself stopping then, kind of like olympic athletes imagine themselves breaking the record.

One hint I've figured out is that IF I WONDER WHETHER IS SHOULD STOP, I SHOULD, at least for a pause until it's clear one way or the other whether I'm still hungry. Like Rob s recommended in "The Overfed Head," I take one more bite for taste and then push my food away.

Jane

>

> Every time I think I am doing well, I seem to walk backwards. Just like any addiction, I feel that I must work on my food problem regularly until it becomes habit, if it ever does. AA's do need to keep going to meetings, etc., well maybe one day I'll be normal, who knows? But today I feel I did not do well. I did not wait until I was hungry for lunch and I ate in part what I really did not find pleasing to my palate, but since I paid for it, I finished it. Maybe tomorrow will be different, I hope so. Tai

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> ________________________________

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> To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:57 PM

> Subject: So much time, so little food...

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>

> Â

> What in the heck are we supposed to do with all of this time spent "not eating?" Big laugh, please.Â

>

> If I really follow the intuitive eating plan, I am not spending very much of my day eating, planning to eat, planning (hoping, praying) NOT to eat, etc. I know. I might be feeling a little silly, but maybe it's time to lighten up. This food issue really makes one dramatic (self-absorbed) and serious. Our bodies do not need much food. Maybe I should speak for myself. I am not at active 17-year-old, AND I am short. My body just needs enough to keep me going - and preferably to keep me healthy. I have not sworn off any foods, and I have enjoyed some "treats" since I started a few weeks ago, but I still choose to eat mostly healthy foods. As silly and nonchalant as I may sound, I am not finding this very easy. I am having my stuggles. After a short time of thinking, "Wow! This is it, and this is easy!" I have fallen back into some old ways, and I find it very confusing - and frankly, it makes me angry. I want easy. Well, this is my "issue." I have had

it for

> decades, and I am willing to keep pushing forward to find peace with the food and weight.Â

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> Waiting for true hunger,Â

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