Re: Some random stuff....

[Guest guest]

Hi, My name is . I am new to the site and wanted to thank everyone for sharing their insights and process. It offers comfort and clarity. I haven't gone cold turkey with the scale and thought I would wean myself off of it bit by bit. I have almost accepted the idea, some days are better than others, that I may not loose any weight but I haven't wrapped my head around gaining weight. I am more observant of when I eat from mouth hunger rather than biological hunger which it seems is most of the time. I don't know if it was in the book IE or OO about, people fearing if they listen to their bodies and eat when hungry, they may not eat much. I related to that...I can have a few bites of something and be satisfied. I also notice that approximate calorie count pops up in my

head automatically, any suggestions of how to break that automatic habit.? Menopause and the mood swings have also been difficult for me. I notice triggers for wanting to eat if I am tired, don't feel well or am blue and to " be off duty'. I loved in the one of the books imagining I am someone who has never had a weight problem which isn't really a weight problem but a mental problem.Are there live support groups? Finding North Star sounds like a good book.I'll check it out. Many blessings to all.

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 9:02:19 AMSubject: Some random stuff....

Hi I havent posted in awhile. I just would like to say "welcome" to all the new members - this list has been so very supportive and helpful to me! There IS a way out of old habits - there is hope.When I started following the IE philosophy, I was really impatient about it "working" and really freaked out about diet rebound weight gain. It has been almost a year since my dietician had introduced me to the IE concept. I had just come off Craig - I had lost 30 pounds on the program and gained it all back plus an extra 15 for good measure - (sorry i have a sick sense of humor sometimes.)What has been extremely helpful in changing my dieting mindset for good is (in no particular order):1. Not weighing myself - i'm sure everyone "gets" why. It really does mess with my head. 2. Putting myself first. Interestingly, IE catpulted me into a new life of REALLY caring for myself. I would have never realized before that

letting myself eat whatever I wanted could lead me down the path of self-care. Some really huge changes are happening in my life since starting IE. 3. Keeping an open mind about nutrition and exercise. I went through an angry period - "screw you!, I'll eat whatever I want dammit!" And then once I calmed down, I started noticing little things like - how tired I feel if I've eaten too much carbs. And then eventually letting go and realizing that I have a choice and then eventually wanting something healthier. And sort of the same goes for exercise - not doing it at all in the beginning, then realizing how it might be good for me while separating it from the dieting mindset. And then wanting to do it - in small steps for now anyway.I started reading this book from Martha Beck - I think it's called Finding your own North Star. It's been really helpful to me. It's all about being intuitive. Trusting in my intuition and just letting myself BE

myself has healed that hole inside me - I dont need to stuff my face anymore - it is counter-intuitive!Warm Regards,Deb

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb,

I think "impatience" is a good way to look at it. I tend to be

impatient about stuff like this anyway, and I have to keep reminding

myself that it's taken a lifetime to screw myself up this much, so I

can't expect to repair my outlook in a couple of weeks.

I agree with you about becoming aware of what you eat and how it makes

you feel. I'm not sure if it's connected to age in my case or what,

but I'm much more conscious of how certain types of food make me feel

than I was when I was younger. I definitely can't handle a sugar

overload the way I used to (sugar is my main binge), and more and more

I'm finding I really dislike how it makes me feel. I still sometimes

choose it anyway, but every once in a while I decide that's not really

what I want. One more step in the right direction. : )

Sohni

paquiller wrote:

Hi I havent posted in awhile. I just would like to say "welcome"

to all the new members - this list has been so very supportive and

helpful to me! There IS a way out of old habits - there is hope.

When I started following the IE philosophy, I was really impatient

about it "working" and really freaked out about diet rebound weight

gain.

It has been almost a year since my dietician had introduced me to the

IE concept. I had just come off Craig - I had lost 30 pounds on

the program and gained it all back plus an extra 15 for good measure -

(sorry i have a sick sense of humor sometimes.)

What has been extremely helpful in changing my dieting mindset for good

is (in no particular order):

1. Not weighing myself - i'm sure everyone "gets" why. It really does

mess with my head.

2. Putting myself first. Interestingly, IE catpulted me into a new life

of REALLY caring for myself. I would have never realized before that

letting myself eat whatever I wanted could lead me down the path of

self-care. Some really huge changes are happening in my life since

starting IE.

3. Keeping an open mind about nutrition and exercise. I went through an

angry period - "screw you!, I'll eat whatever I want dammit!" And then

once I calmed down, I started noticing little things like - how tired I

feel if I've eaten too much carbs. And then eventually letting go and

realizing that I have a choice and then eventually wanting something

healthier. And sort of the same goes for exercise - not doing it at all

in the beginning, then realizing how it might be good for me while

separating it from the dieting mindset. And then wanting to do it - in

small steps for now anyway.

I started reading this book from Martha Beck - I think it's called

Finding your own North Star. It's been really helpful to me. It's all

about being intuitive. Trusting in my intuition and just letting myself

BE myself has healed that hole inside me - I dont need to stuff my face

anymore - it is counter-intuitive!

Warm Regards,

Deb

[Guest guest]

Welcome, !Glad to have you with us. And glad that the group is already helping you. It's a long and slow process for most of us, so I'm not surprised that you aren't all the way " there " yet on the scale issue or the fears of weight gain.

Have patience, and be gentle with yourself. you are off to a great start!best,abby

 

Hi, My name is . I  am new to the site and wanted to thank everyone for sharing their insights and process. It offers comfort and clarity. I haven't gone cold turkey with the scale and thought I would wean myself off of it bit by bit. I have almost accepted the idea, some days are better than others, that I may not loose any weight but I haven't wrapped my head around gaining weight. I am more  observant of when I eat from mouth hunger rather than biological hunger which it seems is most of the time. I don't know if it was in the book IE or OO about, people fearing if they listen to their bodies and eat when hungry, they may not eat much. I related to that...I can have a few bites of something and be satisfied. I also notice that approximate calorie count pops up in my

head automatically, any suggestions of how to break that automatic habit.? Menopause and the mood swings have also been difficult for me. I notice triggers for wanting to eat if I am tired, don't feel well or am blue and to " be off duty'. I loved in the one of the books imagining I am someone who has never had a weight problem which isn't really a weight problem but a mental problem.Are there live support groups? Finding North Star sounds like a good book.I'll check it out. Many blessings to all.

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 9:02:19 AMSubject: Some random stuff....

 

Hi I havent posted in awhile. I just would like to say " welcome " to all the new members - this list has been so very supportive and helpful to me! There IS a way out of old habits - there is hope.When I started following the IE philosophy, I was really impatient about it " working " and really freaked out about diet rebound weight gain.

It has been almost a year since my dietician had introduced me to the IE concept. I had just come off Craig - I had lost 30 pounds on the program and gained it all back plus an extra 15 for good measure - (sorry i have a sick sense of humor sometimes.)

What has been extremely helpful in changing my dieting mindset for good is (in no particular order):1. Not weighing myself - i'm sure everyone " gets " why. It really does mess with my head. 2. Putting myself first. Interestingly, IE catpulted me into a new life of REALLY caring for myself. I would have never realized before that

letting myself eat whatever I wanted could lead me down the path of self-care. Some really huge changes are happening in my life since starting IE. 3. Keeping an open mind about nutrition and exercise. I went through an angry period - " screw you!, I'll eat whatever I want dammit! " And then once I calmed down, I started noticing little things like - how tired I feel if I've eaten too much carbs. And then eventually letting go and realizing that I have a choice and then eventually wanting something healthier. And sort of the same goes for exercise - not doing it at all in the beginning, then realizing how it might be good for me while separating it from the dieting mindset. And then wanting to do it - in small steps for now anyway.

I started reading this book from Martha Beck - I think it's called Finding your own North Star. It's been really helpful to me. It's all about being intuitive. Trusting in my intuition and just letting myself BE

myself has healed that hole inside me - I dont need to stuff my face anymore - it is counter-intuitive!Warm Regards,Deb

--

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanne:

When I first started going to the dietician, we talked about my food intake.

And after a few visits I started feeling like I was just on another diet and I

told her so. She recognized in me my addictive behavior towards food and

suggested reading some books that were supportive of the IE process. The first

book she suggested was: The Diet Survivor's Handbook by Judith Matz and Ellen

el. This is what opened up the whole world of new thinking for me.

I would have to say that some dieticians would probably look at you cross eyed

if you talked with them about " listening to your body " and " eating whatever you

want. " My sister is in fact a Registered Dietician and is skeptical of IE

because it is the opposite of what most dieticians promote and teach. And in my

personal opinion, I hate to say it but alot of dieticians are themselves heavily

focused on their own eating issues.

I chose this dietician because she actually listed the words " eating disorders "

in her ad in the yellow pages. There was another dietician locally I was

considering and when I went to her website, she did alot of promoting exercise

and her " gym. "

You may have to work a little harder at finding the right person. I still see

my dietician every other week and it's more like a counseling session - we do

talk about food but only as a symptom to certain stressors in my life. You

could probably just as easily find a good licensed psychologist or social worker

who is familiar with eating disorders and do the same IE work with them.

Good luck!

Deb

>

> What a lovely and encouraging post, Deb!  Would you please elaborate more on

your dietician's introduction of the IE concept to you?  My only interaction

with a dietician was when my husband and I went to a Diabetes Education Class

and he received a diet, so I'm kind of curious about the integration of diet and

IE when you go to a dietician. 

>  

> Thanks!

> Jeanne 

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Deb, for settling my curiosity! I was wondering how a dietician would incorporate IE principles.

Jeanne

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Having been both a dieter and avid healthful eater (when I'm not

binging on sugar, oof!) for many year, I not only have calorie counts,

but I know the basic nutritional components of most foods.  It takes

practice and some fortitude for me to not peek at nutrition labels

because it's been so much of a habit for me, and I have to work hard

not to listen to the voice in my head that says, "Not enough fiber, too

much sugar, you need more vitamin A..."  I just try to keep reminding

myself that if I'm going to be true to IE, I have to eat what I want. 

Sometimes that's healthier food and sometimes it isn't, but I also know

that at some point along the way my choices will be more on the

healthier side than not.  I figure that mostly healthy with a little

not-so-healthy thrown in has to be better than months of restrictive

healthy eating followed by months of binging.

I haven't really had any menopausal mood swings of late--I got those

more when my periods (sorry, guys!) were tapering off--and fewer hot

flashes than last summer/fall, but I've had more disrupted sleep

patterns and I know when I'm tired I tend to eat rather than just nap. 

I'm trying to pay attention and take a quick snooze if I realize I'm

tired and not really hungry.

Sohni

Talisman wrote:

 

Hi, My name is . I  am new to the site and wanted to

thank everyone for sharing their insights and process. It offers

comfort and clarity. I haven't gone cold turkey with the scale and

thought I would wean myself off of it bit by bit. I have almost

accepted the idea, some days are better than others, that I may not

loose any weight but I haven't wrapped my head around gaining weight. I

am more  observant of when I eat from mouth hunger rather than

biological hunger which it seems is most of the time. I don't know if

it was in the book IE or OO about, people fearing if they listen to

their bodies and eat when hungry, they may not eat much. I related to

that...I can have a few bites of something and be satisfied. I also

notice that approximate calorie count pops up in my head automatically,

any suggestions of how to break that automatic habit.? Menopause and

the mood swings have also been difficult for me. I notice triggers for

wanting to eat if I am tired, don't feel well or am blue and to " be

off duty'. I loved in the one of the books imagining I am someone who

has never had a weight problem which isn't really a weight problem but

a mental problem.Are there live support groups? Finding North Star

sounds like a good book.I'll check it out. Many blessings to all.

[Guest guest]

Ahhh...today I didn't have to drive anywhere at all as the kids had no

school.  I feel so much more relaxed!  : )

I see what you mean about spirituality now.  In spite of many flaws and

failures, I do feel much more comfortable with myself as I get older

(I'm 51).  I can live with myself as an imperfect being now--when I was

in my 20s and 30s, all I wanted to do was change myself.  Now I just

want to live in harmony (makes me sound like I have multiple

personalities)! 

Thanks for all the insights.

Sohni

Talisman wrote:

 

Dear Sohni,

I actually feel that when one is living intuitively, checking

in, listening and responding is at the heart of being spirtiually fit,

no striving or trying to be spiritual, just being present to live,

inside and out as it is. For me really ultimate trust and faith to

honor one's own interior life and voice. I really  thought that I had

this whole " weight" issue resolved. Have been into growth work for 30

plus years. I am 52 now. From age 30 to 40 I ate intuitively, didn't

calorie count, weigh myself and my weight was stable. Then around age

40, hormone changes seemed to alter that...Anyway from age 40 to now

have been not caring to periods of restricting. I have been at current

weight for about 1 year but had hoped to loose more but I also in the

process became obsessed with the whole diet mentality. The other thing

that is really throwing me more than I imagined is how the hormones are

affecting my mood and making it hard to keep things in perspective and

mostly positive which generally come fairly naturally but of late is

not coming with any kind of ease or consistency. This is where my

spirituality can come in handy if i remember to reflect on it...which

is not identifying or trying to change that constant stream of thoughts

and feelings. Identifying with the sea as who I am rather than the

flying fish which are the thoughts and feelings. Looking forward to the

interior life and attitude I had from age 30 to 40, where I felt

confident and content in my own mind, heart and for the most part my

body. None of my inner circle have struggled with this and see me as

more confident and certain than I feel right now so I really appreciate

being able to hear from you and share myself back in response. Hope

your day is filled with some quiet and moments of no demands.

From:

jeanniet58 <jeanniet58gmail>

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Sent: Thu, February

11, 2010 10:37:29 PM

Subject: Re:

Some random stuff....

 

IE per se only a few weeks, but this has been an on/off

progressing journey since I stopped being bulimic over 20 years ago. 

Don't panic at the length of time!  It's mostly been off, which is why

I haven't made much progress (sigh).  It's really been mainly over the

past couple of years that I've started to make some real conclusions

about my eating patterns, childhood, mind/body disconnect, and things

like that.  I did do some IE work in the mid-90s (Geneen Roth), but I

didn't understand it (or she didn't explain it so I could understand

it) and didn't get very far with it.

Oddly enough, my desire to calorie count and log food went away as soon

as I stopped doing it.  I think it had become such a chore (one more

thing demanding my time) that it was a relief to know that I had to

give it up.  Wanting to look at labels is waning, too, but for some

reason I can't keep from checking sodium content.  It's just habit, but

I'd like to stop doing it as I already know I'm not going to want

really salty foods anyway.  The voice that tells me I should eat A when

I really want B will take more time, but that's really what IE is all

about so I don't feel like I should expect too much too soon.

I'm a pretty spiritual person, but haven't done much work connecting

that and IE because, basically, I don't want to...  Right now my life

is so busy and so tiring that I just don't want IE to be more work, if

that makes any sense.  I really need it to be truly intuitive as much

as I can, because I just can't take one more thing on my plate.  I want

to go with the flow, so to speak.  Sounds a little loopy, doesn't it!

Sohni

Talisman wrote:

 

Dear Sohni, Thanks for responding. How long have you been

doing IE? I notice already preoccupation about food, calorie count and

calories burned are decreasing. Also reembracing my spirituality which

I have gotten away from helps remind me of what really matters.The diet

mentality narrows my focus and well-being. What I read today remined me

to be connected to something larger than my small self. Would love to

hear how others are working with their spirituality and IE. T.

From:

jeanniet58 <jeanniet58gmail (DOT) com>

To: IntuitiveEating_

Support@yahoogro ups.com

Sent: Thu, February

11, 2010 11:19:34 AM

Subject: Re:

[intuitiveEating_ Support] Some random stuff....

 

Hi ,

Having been both a dieter and avid healthful eater (when I'm not

binging on sugar, oof!) for many year, I not only have calorie counts,

but I know the basic nutritional components of most foods.  It takes

practice and some fortitude for me to not peek at nutrition labels

because it's been so much of a habit for me, and I have to work hard

not to listen to the voice in my head that says, "Not enough fiber, too

much sugar, you need more vitamin A..."  I just try to keep reminding

myself that if I'm going to be true to IE, I have to eat what I want. 

Sometimes that's healthier food and sometimes it isn't, but I also know

that at some point along the way my choices will be more on the

healthier side than not.  I figure that mostly healthy with a little

not-so-healthy thrown in has to be better than months of restrictive

healthy eating followed by months of binging.

I haven't really had any menopausal mood swings of late--I got those

more when my periods (sorry, guys!) were tapering off--and fewer hot

flashes than last summer/fall, but I've had more disrupted sleep

patterns and I know when I'm tired I tend to eat rather than just nap. 

I'm trying to pay attention and take a quick snooze if I realize I'm

tired and not really hungry.

Sohni

Talisman wrote:

 

Hi, My name is . I  am new to the site and wanted to

thank everyone for sharing their insights and process. It offers

comfort and clarity. I haven't gone cold turkey with the scale and

thought I would wean myself off of it bit by bit. I have almost

accepted the idea, some days are better than others, that I may not

loose any weight but I haven't wrapped my head around gaining weight. I

am more  observant of when I eat from mouth hunger rather than

biological hunger which it seems is most of the time. I don't know if

it was in the book IE or OO about, people fearing if they listen to

their bodies and eat when hungry, they may not eat much. I related to

that...I can have a few bites of something and be satisfied. I also

notice that approximate calorie count pops up in my head automatically,

any suggestions of how to break that automatic habit.? Menopause and

the mood swings have also been difficult for me. I notice triggers for

wanting to eat if I am tired, don't feel well or am blue and to " be

off duty'. I loved in the one of the books imagining I am someone who

has never had a weight problem which isn't really a weight problem but

a mental problem.Are there live support groups? Finding North Star

sounds like a good book.I'll check it out. Many blessings to all.