Re: Re: Went from a pro dieter to a normal overeater

[Guest guest]

Hi sohni,

I too find it difficult when tired, stressed or not feeling well to read my hunger signals. I decided to take the risk and try bio-identical hormones to see if it helps my sleep, energy, and mood. I know the hormones also affect my appetite. On the days I am tired and eat more if I am hungry doens't seem to help so it must not be biological hunger. Does the body actually need more calories if one hasn't slept well? I appreciate you clarifying what a binge is for you. So for you, it is more the driving emotion behind it and not the quantity? I notice I feel guilt about normal eating, I guess all the diet mentality still talking to me. I imagine that residual will get quieter and quieter with continued IE. Hope you have a nice weekend.

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 11:11:15 AMSubject: Re: Re: Went from a pro dieter to a normal overeater

I'm sure the definitions do vary from person to person, but I think the key aspects of binging include feelings of helplessness, guilt, self-anger, etc. I only really get the desperate feeling when I binge. "Normal" eating is generally pretty relaxed. My biggest problem lately is being tired or stressed, which makes it hard for me to read hunger signals. I'm not sure how to handle not feeling hungry all day because I'm too stressed/tired/ irritable to tune into myself. Ugh.I'm in CA, too (Northern). Supposed to rain tomorrow and this weekend. It's been feeling like spring the past couple of days. Today is pretty sucky and stressful, but tomorrow will be better. Sohni Talisman wrote:

Hi Sohni,

Thanks for your response. I appreciate the clarification. With a binge, you stay feeling stuffed or uncomfortable, is that right? I notice a subtle feeling of desperation when I eat, all the restrictive eating I imagine. I was on another site and realized that eating with abandon symbolizes for me being carefree. So trying to work on my thought life and being carefree there. Does a feeling of desperation ever arise with you about food? It is like summer here in California. The sun is my joy medicine. Hope you had whatever your joy medicine is today. Warmly,

From: jeanniet58 <jeanniet58gmail (DOT) com>To: IntuitiveEating_ Support@yahoogro ups.comSent: Tue, February 16, 2010 10:17:28 AMSubject: Re: [intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Went from a pro dieter to a normal overeater

Hi ,For me, overeating simply means I ate more than I needed to, whether because the food just tasted good or because I missed signals that I was full. Usually I'm not physically uncomfortable, or if I am, it goes away quickly. Binging means mindless, out of control eating without pleasure.I'm thinking about food less than I used to--and much less than when I was logging and planning everything.Sohni Talisman wrote:

hi, my name is . It may sound like a silly question but what is the difference between a binge and overeating? I'll definately check out appetite awareness book. Even though I am not overeating, I notice that if I eat from mouth hunger I feel as if I am breaking a rule so maybe to have a guideline that doesn't provoke guilt. I look forward to when I am not thinking about food or weight.Are others who have been doing IE finding that they aren't thinking about food?

From: sue <penguineahotmail (DOT) com>To: IntuitiveEating_ Support@yahoogro ups.comSent: Tue, February 16, 2010 8:26:08 AMSubject: [intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Went from a pro dieter to a normal overeater

Hi Jo: I'm glad the "Appetite Awareness Workbook" helped you. I reduced 'binges' to 'mere overeating' after reading that book. I especially liked their suggestion to maintain a boundary of moderate fullness no matter what, when, where, how or why I ate. Following one simple guideline, rather than a bunch of 'rules', freed me from guilt about 'standup' eating, emotional eating, etc., etc. So I could just focus on how my stomach felt when I ate, rather than whether I was eating emotionally or from 'true' hunger or eating 'healthy' foods or whatever. I also liked that book's concept of 'antideprivation eating' to prevent binges that evolved from feeling deprived of favorite foods. The chapter 'Reduce Binges to Mere Overeating' taught me that no matter how stressful my life was, I binged when I deprived myself of foods I liked. If I always ate what I liked, I didn't have any (special, restricted) 'binge' foods. So eating favorite foods was no

longer something I did only when I felt stressed.I hope others will consider reading "Appetite Awareness Workbook" by Craighead.SUE>> I wasn't even aware what I had done until I read The Appetite Awareness Workbook. Seems I went for a professional dieter to a normal overeater. I knew I was not eating intuitively; just thought it was certain times I did this. I've had quite the eye opener with this one as every time I eat now I am aware of going past the point of being comfortably full. Eating is habit forming especially when I still can't or don't want to deal

with feelings or emotions. The food does not taste nearly as good as when I'm hungry for it. I do notice I don't need as much food, however, I do eat more often. Maybe I'm still hanging on to my old reliable friend.> > Thanks,> Jo.>