The Sigh

[Guest guest]

I finally noticed " the sigh " other posters have mentioned as a physical signal

of satisfaction!

Tonight was date night and I was SO hungry. We were splitting an Italian meal

and I was eating fast in my drive to fill my hunger. Plus, I wasn't being very

attentive, because we were discussing something upsetting and I had been in

tears as we started eating. Definitely a less-than-ideal set-up for intuitive

eating, right? I was plowing along, really enjoying the tastes, and looking

forward to finishing every last bite, plus we had decided to get dessert too.

And suddenly I paused and sighed very audibly. And it reminded me that I needed

to notice whether I was hungry, and drat it, I wasn't anymore. So I took 3

bites more (SO good they were in before I really considered it) and then

stopped, even though there was more on my plate. And then there was a burp,

which certainly clinched it. I didn't need any more. We ended up asking for

dessert to go and we'll eat it later when we're hungry again. The nice thing

was that I didn't get any tummy ache, and although I was fuller than I feel my

best at, I wasn't leaden or uncomfortable, just not light and energetic. Which

I think is pretty darn good given that I started the meal off in tears and

really really hungry and it was total comfort food and very very good. Success!

So perhaps the sigh comes when my eating is more pressured than usual, since I

haven't noticed it before. Maybe for me it's a back-up signal I really need to

take notice of, as it's my last chance to avoid that leaden overfull feeling I

now hate. Hmm, or maybe a burp is my last warning? I'll have to watch and see.

It's good to find out there is something physical beyond a LACK of the hunger,

which can be tricky to notice when there is stress or distractions.

Jane