Hi everyone - another newbie!

[Guest guest]

Hello all! First post - this is long, sorry. I'll be less long-winded in the

future.

My name is Amy, I'm 32, live in the midwest, and I am probably best categorized

as a chronic dieter whose main problems with food seem to be with

restricting/bingeing. But sadly, I didn't even realize that's what I was doing

or think that was really that abnormal (don't all dieters do that?) until a few

weeks ago when I had one of those light bulb moments after a binge that said

" Hey. You just BINGED. That is not normal. What's up? " And so I began to look at

the reasons behind why I ate like I did (lots of emotional eating) and was led

to read Intuitive Eating. And it has really clicked for me.

So right now I'm at the hopeful and totally scared phase, I think. Intuitive

Eating is what I always wanted for myself before I knew there was even a name

for it! Just to be able to eat normally and be satisfied, and to STOP OBSESSING

about food.

I can see my main problems as being very afraid to let go of the structure of

dieting, afraid of weight gain (and afraid to stop weighing), afraid of losing

control while legalizing foods. As you can see lots of fear of the unknown!

I would love to get some tips from you veterans about how to begin this journey.

I think I may have to take some baby steps (I've already begun, by trying to be

less restrictive, listening to what I want, and listening to my hunger cues).

I really want this to work for me. Thanks in advance for any advice - and I'm

glad to be here!