Re: re: excited but scared

[Guest guest]

this brings up an important point... one of the crucial elements of IE is that there really aren't any rules. because rules come from external sources... and the whole point of INTUITIVE eating is that the guidance comes from within.

so yes, it's easier to eat intuitively without the TV on, for sure! but that doesn't mean you aren't " allowed " to eat in front of the tv. each one of us has to decide for herself. 

likewise, i don't find reading " nutrition " labels (in quotes because the labels so rarely tell me what i want to know) to help me, for the most part. but it might be helpful to glance at them from time to find, to see if there are ingredients in a given food that you might not guess is there. 

so remember, there are no rules!and thanks for sharing, casey!best.abby

 

I just had a thought I wanted to share on this topic. I sort of had a " lightbulb " moment regarding some other discussion going on here lately of how we can accept some generalities in IE to be true, but there will always be exceptions based on our own personal needs and experiences. For example, there was a discussion about whether or not it was " ok " to read nutrition labels on food, and the general consensus was " No, but... " the but being that if you are doing so based on your needs and with the right intentions than it's all good.

So, my dining room has been in the process of being renovated since November (we are slow house improvers!) and thus we have been without a dining room table since then. So all meals have been taken in the living room for months, or course with the TV on! And even before that we still ate frequent meals in front of the TV. While I SEVERELY miss my table, and it has put a major cramp in our dining--I really miss having conversations at the table with my husband--I've found that the added challenge of trying to have a satisfying dining experience in less than ideal surroundings has taught me a lot about how to eat for satisfaction despite a lack or comfort or undivided attention to food. I've learned that it is definitely harder, but very possible to be aware of your food in front of the TV. It has helped me to learn that much of my inability to feel satisfied with food has to do with my internal environment rather than my external. I often feel an internal desire to eat quickly to satisfy my emotions, and the external barriers of TV/couch/coffee table eating has helped me realize that and really focus on creating a peaceful internal environment for lack of a good external one. 

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I realized that there are exceptions to every rule and pushing outside boundaries can provide great learning experiences. My next " challenge " will be to try to maintain similar internal focus alongside the distraction of eating out with other people!