Re: How does your body tell you it's hungry?

[Guest guest]

Hi Carla,

I know exactly what you're saying. I was the same way, as I am sure most everyone is that is trying to live the IE way. For me it started by getting up and eating breakfast. I know even though I didn't think I was hungry, my body has been without food for many hours! Then, I just kind of tried to pay attention in a couple of hours how I felt. Was I hungry? (because for some reason, mornings are always easy and I think i am never hungry!) I also noticed that if I didn't eat all afternoon, I was famished at dinner and ate like a crazy woman without thinking. So, I tried eating something about 3 or so too. Whatever you want - I just chose something like protein. I really didn't know if I was hungry or not at this point, but just continued this. Strangely, when I wake up now, I'm hungry! I can't wait to eat my breakfast, and then so and and so forth as the day continues.

Don't feel bad about eating something. Just take a couple of minutes to consider it. I hope this helps.

Subject: How does your body tell you it's hungry?To: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1:12 PM

Personally, I find the full signal a bit easier than the hungry one. I'm working at stopping BEFORE I feel 'full' but that side of things is going well.However, I can't always tell when I'm hungry. I can tell when I'm FAMISHED, which is where the stomach growling and complete empty feeling comes in. For me though, eating at that point means going overboard and stuffing my face because I'm literally starving.Sometimes I get headaches or become irritable. But I don't always know if that's hunger or just being cranky in general. I would like to not have to get headaches to know I'm hungry!How does your body tell you?Carla

[Guest guest]

Yes, this helps. Like the book suggested - for the first little while just eat

every four hours or so to get your body used to things.

What does your hunger feel like?

c

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>

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> Subject: How does your body tell you it's hungry?

> To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1:12 PM

>

>

>  

>

>

>

> Personally, I find the full signal a bit easier than the hungry one. I'm

working at stopping BEFORE I feel 'full' but that side of things is going well.

>

> However, I can't always tell when I'm hungry. I can tell when I'm FAMISHED,

which is where the stomach growling and complete empty feeling comes in. For me

though, eating at that point means going overboard and stuffing my face because

I'm literally starving.

>

> Sometimes I get headaches or become irritable. But I don't always know if

that's hunger or just being cranky in general. I would like to not have to get

headaches to know I'm hungry!

>

> How does your body tell you?

>

> Carla

>

[Guest guest]

Great suggestions !I am much more hungry in the mornings now than I used to be before IE as well. I don't know why. I certainly always TRIED not to eat in the evenings before, but now i am much less likely to want to. But now i am often hungry as soon as i wake up.

Another thing I would suggest is trying to take a moment to tune into your body. We all get so accustomed to tuning out, and eating when we feel like it, or when it's socially appropriate. So even if you can't tell yet, keep tuning in and just asking " how does my stomach feel? how does the rest of me feel? "

i have an empty feeling in my abdomen right now that tells me i need to eat. soon!the rating scale in the IE book was helpful for me when i was starting out. i think it's important though to not use it as a tool to tell you if you are " allowed to eat " -- you are " allowed' to eat whether hungry or not -- but just to recognize if you are full or hungry or somewhere in between.

also, eating if you possibly can without distractions is really helpful. this helps with fullness... and i think the two sensations travel together!

 

Yes, this helps. Like the book suggested - for the first little while just eat every four hours or so to get your body used to things.

What does your hunger feel like?

c

>

>

>

> Subject: How does your body tell you it's hungry?

> To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1:12 PM

>

>

>  

>

>

>

> Personally, I find the full signal a bit easier than the hungry one. I'm working at stopping BEFORE I feel 'full' but that side of things is going well.

>

> However, I can't always tell when I'm hungry. I can tell when I'm FAMISHED, which is where the stomach growling and complete empty feeling comes in. For me though, eating at that point means going overboard and stuffing my face because I'm literally starving.

>

> Sometimes I get headaches or become irritable. But I don't always know if that's hunger or just being cranky in general. I would like to not have to get headaches to know I'm hungry!

>

> How does your body tell you?

>

> Carla

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Carla,

I think it's Geneen Roth who suggests that we've been messing with our hunger signals for so long (trying to ignore when we're hungry while dieting, and trying to ignore that we're overstuffed when bingeing) that it's no wonder that when we start eating intuitively we don't recognize our hunger anymore. I know I didn't; for so long I never *let* myself get hungry, so my body, I think, sort of got bad at sending the signals. Or something.

Anyway, the IE book also says (somewhere) that people experience hunger differently. Not everyone gets an empty feeling in her stomach or grumbling. Some people feel faint, or get a headache, or feel weak, or get cranky. The key, I think, is to start noticing what you feel before you get to that stage, and make sure you have something to eat before you feel bad. A little twinge in that direction should alert you that you need to start thinking about getting something to eat.

It does take time. Now (after 6 months) I can honestly say that there is usually no problem telling when I'm hungry. For me, though, it can come on fast and hard: one minute I don't feel hungry at all; the next minute I know I'm going to be in trouble if I don't eat something soon. That happened to me yesterday just after I got on a train to go downtown for a program, and thought I wouldn't be able to eat for three hours. I was relieved when I got to the program to see that they had some fresh fruit, which held me over until I got home, but I was really pretty hungry by the time I got to eat a meal.

A lot of people have more trouble overeating when they are too hungry (I know I certainly do--and this happened a little last night), so if you're going to err, maybe doing so on the side of eating too soon is better than waiting until it's too late. Carrying some food with you is a great idea.

I hope this helps. You'll do just fine: just pay close attention and pretty soon there will be no question.

Laurie

How does your body tell you it's hungry?

Personally, I find the full signal a bit easier than the hungry one. I'm working at stopping BEFORE I feel 'full' but that side of things is going well.

However, I can't always tell when I'm hungry. I can tell when I'm FAMISHED, which is where the stomach growling and complete empty feeling comes in. For me though, eating at that point means going overboard and stuffing my face because I'm literally starving.

Sometimes I get headaches or become irritable. But I don't always know if that's hunger or just being cranky in general. I would like to not have to get headaches to know I'm hungry!

How does your body tell you?

Carla

[Guest guest]

Hi Carla,

For me it took forever, I'm not going to lie. I still am not certain all the time! I think for me I actually start thinking of food. I don't really get a growling stomach. In the morning I know I wake up and get some coffee and I am already thinking of getting something for breakfast. One thing that really does help is not stuffing food in my mouth, like I used to. i think about it, and sometimes when I start to eat something I think "i'm not even hungry, why am I eating?" and walk away. My advice to you is just try not to stuff yourself when you eat. And, go sit down and take your food with you and enjoy it.

Subject: Re: How does your body tell you it's hungry?To: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 3:36 PM

Yes, this helps. Like the book suggested - for the first little while just eat every four hours or so to get your body used to things.What does your hunger feel like?c> > > > Subject: How does your body tell you it's hungry?> To: IntuitiveEating_Support > Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1:12 PM> > > Â > > > > Personally, I find the full signal a bit easier than the hungry one. I'm working at stopping BEFORE I feel 'full' but that side of things is going well.> > However, I can't always tell when I'm hungry. I can tell when I'm FAMISHED, which is where the stomach growling and complete empty feeling comes in. For me though, eating at that point means going overboard and stuffing my face because I'm literally starving.> > Sometimes I get headaches or become irritable. But I don't always know if that's hunger or just being cranky in general. I would like to not have to get headaches to know I'm

hungry!> > How does your body tell you?> > Carla>

[Guest guest]

Hi Abby,

You said it all. Puting it all together - being still, considering if you really want anything to eat or it is just habit. And the empty stomach is a good description! It's hard to describe, don't you think?

Yes, this helps. Like the book suggested - for the first little while just eat every four hours or so to get your body used to things.What does your hunger feel like?c> > > > Subject: How does your body tell you it's hungry?> To: IntuitiveEating_Support > Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1:12 PM> > > Â > > > > Personally, I find the full signal a bit easier than the hungry one. I'm working at stopping BEFORE I feel 'full' but that side of things is going well.> > However, I can't always tell when I'm hungry. I can tell when I'm FAMISHED, which is where the stomach growling and complete empty feeling comes in. For me though, eating at that point means going overboard and stuffing my face because I'm literally starving.> > Sometimes I get headaches or become irritable. But I don't always know if that's hunger or just being cranky in general. I would like to not have to get headaches to know I'm

hungry!> > How does your body tell you?> > Carla>

[Guest guest]

I’m so going through this, too.  I’m having such a hard time with knowing when I’m hungry.  I go through the day feeling something. When I check in with myself, I know I’m hungry but can’t figure out what I want.  I’m afraid of grazing or eating mindlessly and so sometimes I don’t eat anything.  It then gets to the point where I’m starving and then make food choices that don’t feel good for my body. I’m so trying to have snacks that feel good but I don’t know what I want.  Does anyone have suggestions of easy foods they keep around for times when they need something? Thanks! From: IntuitiveEating_Support [mailto:IntuitiveEating_Support ] On Behalf Of Jami WarrenSent: Thursday, November 18, 2010 1:14 PMTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Subject: Re: How does your body tell you it's hungry? Hi Carla,I know exactly what you're saying. I was the same way, as I am sure most everyone is that is trying to live the IE way. For me it started by getting up and eating breakfast. I know even though I didn't think I was hungry, my body has been without food for many hours! Then, I just kind of tried to pay attention in a couple of hours how I felt. Was I hungry? (because for some reason, mornings are always easy and I think i am never hungry!) I also noticed that if I didn't eat all afternoon, I was famished at dinner and ate like a crazy woman without thinking. So, I tried eating something about 3 or so too. Whatever you want - I just chose something like protein. I really didn't know if I was hungry or not at this point, but just continued this. Strangely, when I wake up now, I'm hungry! I can't wait to eat my breakfast, and then so and and so forth as the day continues. Don't feel bad about eating something. Just take a couple of minutes to consider it. I hope this helps. Subject: How does your body tell you it's hungry?To: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1:12 PM Personally, I find the full signal a bit easier than the hungry one. I'm working at stopping BEFORE I feel 'full' but that side of things is going well.However, I can't always tell when I'm hungry. I can tell when I'm FAMISHED, which is where the stomach growling and complete empty feeling comes in. For me though, eating at that point means going overboard and stuffing my face because I'm literally starving.Sometimes I get headaches or become irritable. But I don't always know if that's hunger or just being cranky in general. I would like to not have to get headaches to know I'm hungry!How does your body tell you?Carla

[Guest guest]

That’s a great reminder, Abby, about the fact that you are “allowed” to eat whether you are hungry or not.  I will try to remember this! Thanks, From: IntuitiveEating_Support [mailto:IntuitiveEating_Support ] On Behalf Of Abigail WolfsonSent: Thursday, November 18, 2010 3:16 PMTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Subject: Re: Re: How does your body tell you it's hungry? Great suggestions ! I am much more hungry in the mornings now than I used to be before IE as well. I don't know why. I certainly always TRIED not to eat in the evenings before, but now i am much less likely to want to. But now i am often hungry as soon as i wake up. Another thing I would suggest is trying to take a moment to tune into your body. We all get so accustomed to tuning out, and eating when we feel like it, or when it's socially appropriate. So even if you can't tell yet, keep tuning in and just asking " how does my stomach feel? how does the rest of me feel? " i have an empty feeling in my abdomen right now that tells me i need to eat. soon! the rating scale in the IE book was helpful for me when i was starting out. i think it's important though to not use it as a tool to tell you if you are " allowed to eat " -- you are " allowed' to eat whether hungry or not -- but just to recognize if you are full or hungry or somewhere in between. also, eating if you possibly can without distractions is really helpful. this helps with fullness... and i think the two sensations travel together! Yes, this helps. Like the book suggested - for the first little while just eat every four hours or so to get your body used to things.What does your hunger feel like?c> > > > Subject: How does your body tell you it's hungry?> To: IntuitiveEating_Support > Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1:12 PM> > > Â > > > > Personally, I find the full signal a bit easier than the hungry one. I'm working at stopping BEFORE I feel 'full' but that side of things is going well.> > However, I can't always tell when I'm hungry. I can tell when I'm FAMISHED, which is where the stomach growling and complete empty feeling comes in. For me though, eating at that point means going overboard and stuffing my face because I'm literally starving.> > Sometimes I get headaches or become irritable. But I don't always know if that's hunger or just being cranky in general. I would like to not have to get headaches to know I'm hungry!> > How does your body tell you?> > Carla>

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie,

Interestingly, I find I have the same experience from time to time. Sometime I

can definitely feel the hunger coming on (for me it's generally a gnawing

feeling in my stomach that gets more persistent), but occasionally, like you

describe, I feel fine one minute and literally the next I feel like if someone

gets between me and food, there's going to be trouble! >;o)

I mentioned this to my therapist and she thinks that there's probably some other

hunger signal before that point that I haven't learned to pick up on yet. I'll

be interested to see if that ever develops or if that always happens.

Josie

>

>

>

> It does take time. Now (after 6 months) I can honestly say that there is

usually no problem telling when I'm hungry. For me, though, it can come on fast

and hard: one minute I don't feel hungry at all; the next minute I know I'm

going to be in trouble if I don't eat something soon. That happened to me

yesterday just after I got on a train to go downtown for a program, and thought

I wouldn't be able to eat for three hours. I was relieved when I got to the

program to see that they had some fresh fruit, which held me over until I got

home, but I was really pretty hungry by the time I got to eat a meal.

>

[Guest guest]

I love nuts and dried fruits, so I'm a sucker for trail mix when I'm out because

it's easy to find and doesn't need refrigeration. When I'm at home, my staples

are ww pita or corn chips and hummus, cheese (I like the little baby bels), and

occasionally, a good smoothie, if the blender's clean! LOL Unfortunately, most

of those things are also easy to eat mindlessly when I'm in the frame of mind,

so that's the danger. But for something that has a bit of heft and can tide me

over for a few hours, any of them work.

Josie

>

>

>

> Subject: How does your body tell you it's hungry?

> To: IntuitiveEating_Support

> Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 1:12 PM

>

>

>

> Personally, I find the full signal a bit easier than the hungry one. I'm

working at stopping BEFORE I feel 'full' but that side of things is going well.

>

> However, I can't always tell when I'm hungry. I can tell when I'm FAMISHED,

which is where the stomach growling and complete empty feeling comes in. For me

though, eating at that point means going overboard and stuffing my face because

I'm literally starving.

>

> Sometimes I get headaches or become irritable. But I don't always know if

that's hunger or just being cranky in general. I would like to not have to get

headaches to know I'm hungry!

>

> How does your body tell you?

>

> Carla

>

[Guest guest]

Maybe you're supposed to be hungry and you need to eat a little more because

you've expended a lot of energy! Kind of a scary idea, but I think most of us

are so focused on how to eat less than we used to, that we don't think about the

fact that sometimes we might actually *need* to eat a little more!

Just a thought.

Josie

>

> Hi, good idea, I need to take a goody bag to the gym with me because sometimes

I am just not hungry in the morning before I leave but then after I'm done at

11:00 I'm starving. I've noticed that generally on the days when I'm not hungry

in the morning, then after doing the gym routine I seem to be hungry all day

long. Any suggestions as to how to get around this?

>

> mj

>

[Guest guest]

> What does your hunger feel like?

> c

>

Carla,

I think it's different for every one. For me I get kind of a nawing, hollow

feeling in my abdomen. I used to think the stomach was much lower than it

actually is (more like where my uterus is) and once I learned actually where my

stomach is, I was able to tune into it better. It is right above your belly

button and below your rib cage and is probably about the size of your fist. (Dr.

May I believe talks about this in her book Am I Hungry?)

Some people I know get shaky or headachy. If you are getting cranky you are

probably too hungry.

It's funny, I had this coversation with my Mom recently. She is diabetic (type

II) and was probably hypoglycemic when I was growing up and I remember her

drastically, all at once, turning extremely mean - almost abusively mean. We

now know it was hypoglycemia. But she to this day does not know what hunger

feels like. She like jumps over it and just starts feeling shaky and irritable.

Since she watches her blood sugar and eats on a regular basis she is able to not

get to that point.

But hunger I think is such an individual thing and I just need to really get to

know your body.

Alana

[Guest guest]

Hi, Josie,

I suspect your therapist is right. I did briefly think before leaving for this program, "I wonder if I should eat something before leaving?" and I don't think I would have thought of this if there wasn't something that cued me. Usually these things happen when I'm busy and reluctant to stop and explore what's going on, but maybe if I'd sat down for a few minutes and explored why that thought came up, I would have noticed a more suptle signal. If I pick up on anything, I'll be sure to let the list know. It's kind of neat to be exploring these things when it's not some shame-riddled thing like dieting always was.

Laurie

Re: How does your body tell you it's hungry?

Hi Laurie,

Interestingly, I find I have the same experience from time to time. Sometime I can definitely feel the hunger coming on (for me it's generally a gnawing feeling in my stomach that gets more persistent), but occasionally, like you describe, I feel fine one minute and literally the next I feel like if someone gets between me and food, there's going to be trouble! >;o)

I mentioned this to my therapist and she thinks that there's probably some other hunger signal before that point that I haven't learned to pick up on yet. I'll be interested to see if that ever develops or if that always happens.

Josie

>

>

>

> It does take time. Now (after 6 months) I can honestly say that there is usually no problem telling when I'm hungry. For me, though, it can come on fast and hard: one minute I don't feel hungry at all; the next minute I know I'm going to be in trouble if I don't eat something soon. That happened to me yesterday just after I got on a train to go downtown for a program, and thought I wouldn't be able to eat for three hours. I was relieved when I got to the program to see that they had some fresh fruit, which held me over until I got home, but I was really pretty hungry by the time I got to eat a meal.

>