Hello, nice to meet you. From a new member:)

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I just joined the intuitive eating group last night, but it was very late, and I

couldn't begin participating until today. I don't know if I could say that I'm

" excited " about working through my food and emotional issues, but I'm

encouraged, motivated and ready for change. I am excited by the prospect of a

life that isn't overrun by food- obsessing, eating, crying because of another

binge, the constant worry that someone will discover my struggle. I know that

freedom from compulsive eating is possible and achievable.

A bit of my background...

I can't remember a time in my life where I had a healthy relationship with food

or with my body. Growing up I was heavily influenced by my mother's compulsive

eating, binging and dieting, and it didn't take long for me to adopt very

negative attitudes and behaviors toward food. I think my first diets and binges

were beginning around the time I was 11. On top of that I have a natural

tendancy toward the melancholy and perfectionism so I constantly threw myself

toward food to avoid uncomfortable feelings.

My compulsive eating has negatively impacted my life, and although I have fought

to lose weight and maintain healthy eating and exercising, it has always been

very aesthetically focused laden with binges between regimes and I would cling

to every latest diet for my salvation from food and fat hell.

A theraptist once recommended I read a book on intuitive eating, and I remember

thinking the idea was interesting but required too much " feelings " work and

really I just wanted her to tell me how to lose 30lbs forever and never think

about chocolate again.

Years later, not quite so superficial and slightly more sure of myself, I began

searching for a life change, not just a quick way to fit into smaller jeans, and

I found " Women, Food and God " by Geneen Roth, and I decided that this life of

intuitive eating, seeking spirituality and self-awareness was the way I wanted

to live my life. A full life, without food obsession and complusion, is

possible! (I'm not advertising her book, I'm sure there are many great titles

and authors but this is the one that turned on the lightbulb in my food como)

It is an uphill climb, but through the help of God and friends I see the goal is

worth working for!