Guest guest Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 n, It's great that you're thinking about hunger in this way and asking the questions! If, I'm hungry and have to wait to respond to it (doesn't happen often because I usually keep food with me) and find that my hunger signals have retreated, I will either drink some water or nibble on something to see if the hunger comes back. I usually go ahead and eat, as long as I've gotten my true hunger signals, haven't yet responded to them, and don't feel a resistance to eating. I do pay more attention to my fullness level when I'm eating after hunger signals have retreated. Especially in the beginning of practicing IE, I made sure to carry a food bag with some variety (nuts, apples, trail mix, cookies, etc) to rebuild the trust between myself and my body. I'm a bit more lapse about the food bag now because I do feel like I have a solid base of trust built now. In regards to the granola, I've found that sometimes a small item like that will address hunger nicely for a brief time and give me an opportunity to drop by the grocery store and pick up a prepared option or a deli sandwich instead of going the fast food route and then feeling the yuckies afterword. Responding to your hunger will not be optimal all the time and that's ok. I do my best to help my eating experiences be as optimal as possible and have been able to relax about it over time. Responding to hunger is part science and is definitely an art too! Experiment around those areas and learn what you discover that works best for you. > > Hi Everyone > > One of the things I am having a hard time understanding is the idea of > being really hungry. Which seems a little odd now that I write it out. But > this is what I mean: I might feel hungry....my stomach growls, I feel like I > want to eat but I cant because of whatever reasons...I am driving, I am > working I am doing something away from food. But then the growling goes away > and when I get near food....not really feeling hungry. > > So am I hungry or not? > > Yesterday I went for my morning walk before work and generally I am not a > breakfast eater as I don't usually get hungry until mid morning. And just as > I was about to leave for work hunger struck in a HUGE way....honestly I > thought I was ravenous so I slowed down and asked myself what I wanted to > eat and despite the hunger there was no answer forthcoming....there was > nothing in the house that I wanted which included homemade cookies and > leftover pizza. So in trying to honor that....I didn't eat because I didn't > know what I wanted. And then suddenly I wasn't hungry one the way to work... > What I ended up eating was because I knew that I would be hungry eventually > and I wouldn't be able to escape my desk and the granola bar I had packed > wouldn't suffice so I ended up eating fast food I didn't really want... > > Anyway not trying to whine...just trying to understand myself. Anyone else > have this issue and how do you work with it? > > > n > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 Hi n! Well, I'm very much in the same boat as you. I've finally gotten past fears/feelings of deprivation and I'm trying to understand my body's hunger signals, but they can be quite confusing (especially for someone who is used to eating a lot of food very frequently). My issues with hunger have been knowing that I am biologically hungry, but not mentally hungry. Often times my stomach will growl and growl and growl, but I have zero appetite. It seems almost impossible to find something I actually WANT to eat when I am physically hungry. Also, my appetite is surprisingly small. I eat about 1/4 of what I used to before practicing intuitive eating. And finally I don't get hungry at all in the evening. I eat approximately every 2-3 hours until about 2 pm, then I won't get hungry again until about 6. After 6 my hunger is completely non-existent (I stay up until about 11 or 12 at night). For someone like myself, who has had a robust " appetite " since childhood, it can be really weird realizing that my biological hunger is really only a small fraction of what I thought it was. I even become concerned that I don't eat enough! I think the issue with you becoming hungry when food is not accessible, then losing your appetite when it is accessible is genuine hunger. I've noticed after 30 minutes to 1 hour of your body signaling hunger, it goes away. But it comes back a little later and feels far more intense than the first time. The question is if you should force yourself to eat during that in-between time when your hunger signals aren't active. I, personally, do not because I don't enjoy the food and it defeats my whole " eating should be pleasurable " tenet. When my hunger returns I make sure to serve myself a regular-sized portion and to pay particular attention to slowing down (you're more likely to eat fast when you feel famished), so that I can be aware of my fullness cues. At the same time, I don't think that it is good practice to ignore your initial hunger. I would recommend that you always keep some sort of snack handy to take the edge off of your initial hunger until you are able to sit down and really enjoy a meal that you desire. I hope that helps! - > > Hi Everyone > > One of the things I am having a hard time understanding is the idea of > being really hungry. Which seems a little odd now that I write it out. But > this is what I mean: I might feel hungry....my stomach growls, I feel like I > want to eat but I cant because of whatever reasons...I am driving, I am > working I am doing something away from food. But then the growling goes away > and when I get near food....not really feeling hungry. > > So am I hungry or not? > > Yesterday I went for my morning walk before work and generally I am not a > breakfast eater as I don't usually get hungry until mid morning. And just as > I was about to leave for work hunger struck in a HUGE way....honestly I > thought I was ravenous so I slowed down and asked myself what I wanted to > eat and despite the hunger there was no answer forthcoming....there was > nothing in the house that I wanted which included homemade cookies and > leftover pizza. So in trying to honor that....I didn't eat because I didn't > know what I wanted. And then suddenly I wasn't hungry one the way to work... > What I ended up eating was because I knew that I would be hungry eventually > and I wouldn't be able to escape my desk and the granola bar I had packed > wouldn't suffice so I ended up eating fast food I didn't really want... > > Anyway not trying to whine...just trying to understand myself. Anyone else > have this issue and how do you work with it? > > > n > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 Hi - Your email is so great and informative thank you. I was especially struck by your comment: “Also, my appetite is surprisingly small. I eat about 1/4 of what I used to before practicing intuitive eating.” I had an inkling of this myself within the last couple of days. And it was a first realization that my appetite just isnt that huge and though at the time I didn’t have time to really analyze that feeling. I realize now I was a bit annoyed that I wasn’t hungry. My feelings ran somehwat like, I LIKE to eat (dont we all??) I WANT to eat. How can I NOT be hungry....now what am I gonna do with myself?? The challenge is breaking this long standing habit. I grew up on a farm always with large portions of food and the proverbial threat of starving children somewhere in the world. But its also to be gentle....slow down...listen. I listen to everyone except myself. Sigh. n Hi n! Well, I'm very much in the same boat as you. I've finally gotten past fears/feelings of deprivation and I'm trying to understand my body's hunger signals, but they can be quite confusing (especially for someone who is used to eating a lot of food very frequently). My issues with hunger have been knowing that I am biologically hungry, but not mentally hungry. Often times my stomach will growl and growl and growl, but I have zero appetite. It seems almost impossible to find something I actually WANT to eat when I am physically hungry. Also, my appetite is surprisingly small. I eat about 1/4 of what I used to before practicing intuitive eating. And finally I don't get hungry at all in the evening. I eat approximately every 2-3 hours until about 2 pm, then I won't get hungry again until about 6. After 6 my hunger is completely non-existent (I stay up until about 11 or 12 at night). For someone like myself, who has had a robust " appetite " since childhood, it can be really weird realizing that my biological hunger is really only a small fraction of what I thought it was. I even become concerned that I don't eat enough! I think the issue with you becoming hungry when food is not accessible, then losing your appetite when it is accessible is genuine hunger. I've noticed after 30 minutes to 1 hour of your body signaling hunger, it goes away. But it comes back a little later and feels far more intense than the first time. The question is if you should force yourself to eat during that in-between time when your hunger signals aren't active. I, personally, do not because I don't enjoy the food and it defeats my whole " eating should be pleasurable " tenet. When my hunger returns I make sure to serve myself a regular-sized portion and to pay particular attention to slowing down (you're more likely to eat fast when you feel famished), so that I can be aware of my fullness cues. At the same time, I don't think that it is good practice to ignore your initial hunger. I would recommend that you always keep some sort of snack handy to take the edge off of your initial hunger until you are able to sit down and really enjoy a meal that you desire. I hope that helps! - > > Hi Everyone > > One of the things I am having a hard time understanding is the idea of > being really hungry. Which seems a little odd now that I write it out. But > this is what I mean: I might feel hungry....my stomach growls, I feel like I > want to eat but I cant because of whatever reasons...I am driving, I am > working I am doing something away from food. But then the growling goes away > and when I get near food....not really feeling hungry. > > So am I hungry or not? > > Yesterday I went for my morning walk before work and generally I am not a > breakfast eater as I don't usually get hungry until mid morning. And just as > I was about to leave for work hunger struck in a HUGE way....honestly I > thought I was ravenous so I slowed down and asked myself what I wanted to > eat and despite the hunger there was no answer forthcoming....there was > nothing in the house that I wanted which included homemade cookies and > leftover pizza. So in trying to honor that....I didn't eat because I didn't > know what I wanted. And then suddenly I wasn't hungry one the way to work... > What I ended up eating was because I knew that I would be hungry eventually > and I wouldn't be able to escape my desk and the granola bar I had packed > wouldn't suffice so I ended up eating fast food I didn't really want... > > Anyway not trying to whine...just trying to understand myself. Anyone else > have this issue and how do you work with it? > > > n > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 Hi , Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! It sounds like you have learned a huge amount about yourself with IE (and maybe other things as well). That is awesome! I think your suggestions of carrying snacks and respecting your hunger signals, even when fickle, are great.And I have had the same experience that I am usually not interested in food in the evenings since starting IE, especially if I actually respect my hunger and eat dinner when it ACTUALLY strikes, not when I think it's " supposed to. " For some reason I feel like dinner isn't " supposed " to be before 6 pm -- that it's uncouth or something. whereas.... why would anyone care what time i eat dinner??? so i often end up having a late afternoon " snack " and then skipping dinner. which makes for a lot of thrown away groceries. oh well! Best, Abby Hi n! Well, I'm very much in the same boat as you. I've finally gotten past fears/feelings of deprivation and I'm trying to understand my body's hunger signals, but they can be quite confusing (especially for someone who is used to eating a lot of food very frequently). My issues with hunger have been knowing that I am biologically hungry, but not mentally hungry. Often times my stomach will growl and growl and growl, but I have zero appetite. It seems almost impossible to find something I actually WANT to eat when I am physically hungry. Also, my appetite is surprisingly small. I eat about 1/4 of what I used to before practicing intuitive eating. And finally I don't get hungry at all in the evening. I eat approximately every 2-3 hours until about 2 pm, then I won't get hungry again until about 6. After 6 my hunger is completely non-existent (I stay up until about 11 or 12 at night). For someone like myself, who has had a robust " appetite " since childhood, it can be really weird realizing that my biological hunger is really only a small fraction of what I thought it was. I even become concerned that I don't eat enough! I think the issue with you becoming hungry when food is not accessible, then losing your appetite when it is accessible is genuine hunger. I've noticed after 30 minutes to 1 hour of your body signaling hunger, it goes away. But it comes back a little later and feels far more intense than the first time. The question is if you should force yourself to eat during that in-between time when your hunger signals aren't active. I, personally, do not because I don't enjoy the food and it defeats my whole " eating should be pleasurable " tenet. When my hunger returns I make sure to serve myself a regular-sized portion and to pay particular attention to slowing down (you're more likely to eat fast when you feel famished), so that I can be aware of my fullness cues. At the same time, I don't think that it is good practice to ignore your initial hunger. I would recommend that you always keep some sort of snack handy to take the edge off of your initial hunger until you are able to sit down and really enjoy a meal that you desire. I hope that helps! -> > Hi Everyone > > One of the things I am having a hard time understanding is the idea of> being re... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2010 Report Share Posted May 27, 2010 Hi all, For the first time what I have been feeling has been put into words, thank you , i.e. being biologically hungry but not mentally hungry. Intuitive eating tells us to eat nutritious when you are not craving anything specific, but I must still must have deprivation issues as I start to freak out if I think that way. I LOVE salads but it makes me feel as though I am dieting. I have been working at this for over a year and I am still struggling with a diet mentality. I wondered if not craving anything was because I know in my mind I can have anything I want so I don't feel the need to eat " fast food " , but my wondering is " Does my body want things I am not used to eating like nutritious food??? I don't know, but I do know it makes it hard to know what to eat!! I have just finished Women, Food & God, it has given me a new hope and a I have started a renewed effort with i.e.. Here's to a new day!! Thanks, Debbie > > > > Hi Everyone > > > > One of the things I am having a hard time understanding is the idea of > > being really hungry. Which seems a little odd now that I write it out. But > > this is what I mean: I might feel hungry....my stomach growls, I feel like I > > want to eat but I cant because of whatever reasons...I am driving, I am > > working I am doing something away from food. But then the growling goes away > > and when I get near food....not really feeling hungry. > > > > So am I hungry or not? > > > > Yesterday I went for my morning walk before work and generally I am not a > > breakfast eater as I don't usually get hungry until mid morning. And just as > > I was about to leave for work hunger struck in a HUGE way....honestly I > > thought I was ravenous so I slowed down and asked myself what I wanted to > > eat and despite the hunger there was no answer forthcoming....there was > > nothing in the house that I wanted which included homemade cookies and > > leftover pizza. So in trying to honor that....I didn't eat because I didn't > > know what I wanted. And then suddenly I wasn't hungry one the way to work... > > What I ended up eating was because I knew that I would be hungry eventually > > and I wouldn't be able to escape my desk and the granola bar I had packed > > wouldn't suffice so I ended up eating fast food I didn't really want... > > > > Anyway not trying to whine...just trying to understand myself. Anyone else > > have this issue and how do you work with it? > > > > > > n > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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