Re: Eating slowly

[Guest guest]

Eating fast has so long been my 'way' that I think of it as normal for me.

Reversing that pattern has been a challenge for me to say the least.

If you are only recently noticing this to me that's more a flag than a real

shift in your habits. I would look beyond the physical eating and see if you can

find a 'driver' for this need. Are you afraid that your eating isn't as you want

it to be? Has something recent happened in your life that you feel apprehensive

about? Are you expecting yourself to eat a certain way but secretly knowing you

aren't and don't want to impose that dictate on yourself?

Another thing you may want to consider is relaxing your frame of mind before you

start eating. Take a deep breath, imagine how you prefer to eat the food -

slowly - and then begin with that in mind. Allow yourself to simply notice your

reaction(s) as you eat. If you feel a desire to speed up say to yourself -

" Hmmmm, that's interesting. Now what do I suppose is causing this? " Whatever is

happening for you, its probably subtle and below the 'surface' so difficult to

see. Patience and acceptance will conquer!

BEST to you, Katcha

IEing since March 2007

>

> Hi, I'm new to the forum, my name is Kate I'm seventeen, from England, and

been doing intuitive eating for about a year. I think I'm at my natural weight

now; I'm in the healthy weight range and feel comfortable with my body most of

the time.

>

> However, recently, I've had trouble eating slowly, which I never used to have

when I started. For some reason I resolve to eat slower, and then stuff loads of

food in my mouth, hardly even chewing, missing my fullness signal and then

feeling full and horrible afterwards. I know all the benefits of eating more

slowly but I can't seem to do it anymore, when before it came so naturally to

me. I can't think of any emotional issue it could be; does anyone have any tips?

Or have you had trouble with this?

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Eating fast is one of my biggest problems, Kate, so you are definitely not alone! I can easily polish off a full dinner with second servings in just minutes. Then I'm left with an empty plate wondering, "Where did all that food go?" As nearly as I can recall, I started eating fast in college: the dorm dining room opened at 5p.m. and I had to work at 5:30, and I had to ride my bicycle 3 miles to get there. So I'd chow down fast, then hit the bike and clock in just in time. Once in the habit, I guess I never got out of it. Also, if I wait in between bites (shovelfuls) of food, I feel disconcerted with the gap during which there's nothing to taste or chew or swallow. Sounds weird, maybe, but my mouth wants the

sensations continuously. And small bites... well, not enough flavor. With my mouth full with a large bite (shovelful) the food hits all my taste buds at once. This is what I've come up with by self-analyzing the situation.I think my reason for hurrying

nowadays (besides the taste thing) is just to get it over with so I can get on to something else;

or, in the case of evening dinner, so I can get it off the table and cleaned up and turn off my "off" switch for the day. Dinner's done, I'm done, The End, I got through another day.Ellie To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 6:29 AM Subject: Eating slowly

Hi, I'm new to the forum, my name is Kate I'm seventeen, from England, and been doing intuitive eating for about a year. I think I'm at my natural weight now; I'm in the healthy weight range and feel comfortable with my body most of the time.

However, recently, I've had trouble eating slowly, which I never used to have when I started. For some reason I resolve to eat slower, and then stuff loads of food in my mouth, hardly even chewing, missing my fullness signal and then feeling full and horrible afterwards. I know all the benefits of eating more slowly but I can't seem to do it anymore, when before it came so naturally to me. I can't think of any emotional issue it could be; does anyone have any tips? Or have you had trouble with this?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Another possibility is maybe you are letting yourself get too hungry before you eat? If I am overly hungry I sometimes eat too fast.I think Katcha's suggestions are excellent. I like the idea of visualizing eating slowly rather than " resolving " to do so -- maybe your brain is rebelling against the idea that you HAVE to eat slowly?

Also, are you doing anything else while you eat? Sometimes it's hard to slow down and relax if you are multitasking... or even just thinking about all that you want to get done once you are done eating.

And btw, congratulations for learning IE so young and already having reached your natural weight! That's fantastic!Best,Abby

 

Eating fast is one of my biggest problems, Kate, so you are definitely not alone! I can easily polish off a full dinner with second servings in just minutes. Then I'm left with an empty plate wondering, " Where did all that food go? "

As nearly as I can recall, I started eating fast in college: the dorm dining room opened at 5p.m. and I had to work at 5:30, and I had to ride my bicycle 3 miles to get there. So I'd chow down fast, then hit the bike and clock in just in time. Once in the habit, I guess I never got out of it.

Also, if I wait in between bites (shovelfuls) of food, I feel disconcerted with the gap during which there's nothing to taste or chew or swallow. Sounds weird, maybe, but my mouth wants the

sensations continuously. And small bites... well, not enough flavor. With my mouth full with a large bite (shovelful) the food hits all my taste buds at once. This is what I've come up with by self-analyzing the situation.

I think my reason for hurrying

nowadays (besides the taste thing) is just to get it over with so I can get on to something else;

or, in the case of evening dinner, so I can get it off the table and cleaned up and turn off my " off " switch for the day. Dinner's done, I'm done, The End, I got through another day.Ellie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 6:29 AM

Subject: Eating slowly

 

Hi, I'm new to the forum, my name is Kate I'm seventeen, from England, and been doing intuitive eating for about a year. I think I'm at my natural weight now; I'm in the healthy weight range and feel comfortable with my body most of the time.

However, recently, I've had trouble eating slowly, which I never used to have when I started. For some reason I resolve to eat slower, and then stuff loads of food in my mouth, hardly even chewing, missing my fullness signal and then feeling full and horrible afterwards. I know all the benefits of eating more slowly but I can't seem to do it anymore, when before it came so naturally to me. I can't think of any emotional issue it could be; does anyone have any tips? Or have you had trouble with this?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Another possibility is maybe you are letting yourself get too hungry before you eat? If I am overly hungry I sometimes eat too fast.I think Katcha's suggestions are excellent. I like the idea of visualizing eating slowly rather than " resolving " to do so -- maybe your brain is rebelling against the idea that you HAVE to eat slowly?

Also, are you doing anything else while you eat? Sometimes it's hard to slow down and relax if you are multitasking... or even just thinking about all that you want to get done once you are done eating.

And btw, congratulations for learning IE so young and already having reached your natural weight! That's fantastic!Best,Abby

 

Eating fast is one of my biggest problems, Kate, so you are definitely not alone! I can easily polish off a full dinner with second servings in just minutes. Then I'm left with an empty plate wondering, " Where did all that food go? "

As nearly as I can recall, I started eating fast in college: the dorm dining room opened at 5p.m. and I had to work at 5:30, and I had to ride my bicycle 3 miles to get there. So I'd chow down fast, then hit the bike and clock in just in time. Once in the habit, I guess I never got out of it.

Also, if I wait in between bites (shovelfuls) of food, I feel disconcerted with the gap during which there's nothing to taste or chew or swallow. Sounds weird, maybe, but my mouth wants the

sensations continuously. And small bites... well, not enough flavor. With my mouth full with a large bite (shovelful) the food hits all my taste buds at once. This is what I've come up with by self-analyzing the situation.

I think my reason for hurrying

nowadays (besides the taste thing) is just to get it over with so I can get on to something else;

or, in the case of evening dinner, so I can get it off the table and cleaned up and turn off my " off " switch for the day. Dinner's done, I'm done, The End, I got through another day.Ellie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 6:29 AM

Subject: Eating slowly

 

Hi, I'm new to the forum, my name is Kate I'm seventeen, from England, and been doing intuitive eating for about a year. I think I'm at my natural weight now; I'm in the healthy weight range and feel comfortable with my body most of the time.

However, recently, I've had trouble eating slowly, which I never used to have when I started. For some reason I resolve to eat slower, and then stuff loads of food in my mouth, hardly even chewing, missing my fullness signal and then feeling full and horrible afterwards. I know all the benefits of eating more slowly but I can't seem to do it anymore, when before it came so naturally to me. I can't think of any emotional issue it could be; does anyone have any tips? Or have you had trouble with this?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Another possibility is maybe you are letting yourself get too hungry before you eat? If I am overly hungry I sometimes eat too fast.I think Katcha's suggestions are excellent. I like the idea of visualizing eating slowly rather than " resolving " to do so -- maybe your brain is rebelling against the idea that you HAVE to eat slowly?

Also, are you doing anything else while you eat? Sometimes it's hard to slow down and relax if you are multitasking... or even just thinking about all that you want to get done once you are done eating.

And btw, congratulations for learning IE so young and already having reached your natural weight! That's fantastic!Best,Abby

 

Eating fast is one of my biggest problems, Kate, so you are definitely not alone! I can easily polish off a full dinner with second servings in just minutes. Then I'm left with an empty plate wondering, " Where did all that food go? "

As nearly as I can recall, I started eating fast in college: the dorm dining room opened at 5p.m. and I had to work at 5:30, and I had to ride my bicycle 3 miles to get there. So I'd chow down fast, then hit the bike and clock in just in time. Once in the habit, I guess I never got out of it.

Also, if I wait in between bites (shovelfuls) of food, I feel disconcerted with the gap during which there's nothing to taste or chew or swallow. Sounds weird, maybe, but my mouth wants the

sensations continuously. And small bites... well, not enough flavor. With my mouth full with a large bite (shovelful) the food hits all my taste buds at once. This is what I've come up with by self-analyzing the situation.

I think my reason for hurrying

nowadays (besides the taste thing) is just to get it over with so I can get on to something else;

or, in the case of evening dinner, so I can get it off the table and cleaned up and turn off my " off " switch for the day. Dinner's done, I'm done, The End, I got through another day.Ellie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 6:29 AM

Subject: Eating slowly

 

Hi, I'm new to the forum, my name is Kate I'm seventeen, from England, and been doing intuitive eating for about a year. I think I'm at my natural weight now; I'm in the healthy weight range and feel comfortable with my body most of the time.

However, recently, I've had trouble eating slowly, which I never used to have when I started. For some reason I resolve to eat slower, and then stuff loads of food in my mouth, hardly even chewing, missing my fullness signal and then feeling full and horrible afterwards. I know all the benefits of eating more slowly but I can't seem to do it anymore, when before it came so naturally to me. I can't think of any emotional issue it could be; does anyone have any tips? Or have you had trouble with this?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Kate. I think sometimes when you're doing something consciously like eating slowly, you begin to rebel. I think that's totally natural. Don't force it or be punitive with yourself about "not getting it." It's just the natural cycle of things. Just stay with it and try to be there with yourself when you are eating quickly. Notice what you feel like and try to be conscious. You may be transitioning from always being in a vigilant state about the pace of your eating to a more natural style where sometimes you eat slowly and other times quickly. You don't necessarily have to eat slowly in order to be intuitive. See where it takes you. Good luck.

Mimi

Subject: Eating slowlyTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 6:29 AM

Hi, I'm new to the forum, my name is Kate I'm seventeen, from England, and been doing intuitive eating for about a year. I think I'm at my natural weight now; I'm in the healthy weight range and feel comfortable with my body most of the time.However, recently, I've had trouble eating slowly, which I never used to have when I started. For some reason I resolve to eat slower, and then stuff loads of food in my mouth, hardly even chewing, missing my fullness signal and then feeling full and horrible afterwards. I know all the benefits of eating more slowly but I can't seem to do it anymore, when before it came so naturally to me. I can't think of any emotional issue it could be; does anyone have any tips? Or have you had trouble with this? Thanks

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Kate. I think sometimes when you're doing something consciously like eating slowly, you begin to rebel. I think that's totally natural. Don't force it or be punitive with yourself about "not getting it." It's just the natural cycle of things. Just stay with it and try to be there with yourself when you are eating quickly. Notice what you feel like and try to be conscious. You may be transitioning from always being in a vigilant state about the pace of your eating to a more natural style where sometimes you eat slowly and other times quickly. You don't necessarily have to eat slowly in order to be intuitive. See where it takes you. Good luck.

Mimi

Subject: Eating slowlyTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 6:29 AM

Hi, I'm new to the forum, my name is Kate I'm seventeen, from England, and been doing intuitive eating for about a year. I think I'm at my natural weight now; I'm in the healthy weight range and feel comfortable with my body most of the time.However, recently, I've had trouble eating slowly, which I never used to have when I started. For some reason I resolve to eat slower, and then stuff loads of food in my mouth, hardly even chewing, missing my fullness signal and then feeling full and horrible afterwards. I know all the benefits of eating more slowly but I can't seem to do it anymore, when before it came so naturally to me. I can't think of any emotional issue it could be; does anyone have any tips? Or have you had trouble with this? Thanks

[Guest guest]

Ellie wrote,

"And small bites... well, not enough flavor. With my mouth full with a large bite (shovelful) the food hits all my taste buds at once. This is what I've come up with by self-analyzing the situation."

You know, that makes total sense. I was reading a book on how the french eat and decided to try to take smaller bites and it was just so unsatisfying. I felt like I couldn't taste the food at all. Like with popcorn, you kind of need to put at least a few kernels into your mouth at once to taste it. I was feeling a little guilty for not taking tiny bites, but now I see that wanting to actually taste my food is not a bad thing. Thanks for that!

Mimi