re: excited but scared

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Wow, my post about " excited but scared, " where I mentioned wanting the support

of knowing how others learned to want to choose to feel lighter and free instead

of choosing to keep eating when I'm no longer hungry, seemed to touch off a lot

of thoughts and feelings for many people. I went away for a number of days

right after posting, so didn't see it all til just now.

First, let me thank everyone for the honest and open sharing. Every share had

some learning in it for me and as I see it, it's all about learning, both about

IE and about learning how to find ways to respect both our own and others'

needs, which can certainly be a challenge.

Fwiw, I guess I use the word " light " differently than some others. For

instance, when I have a hard decision to make, having nothing to do with food, I

often think of the alternative solutions in my mind and ask myself " which feels

lighter? " I find that helpful. It's a long story as to why...but it works for

me.

I don't think I'm obsessed about weight loss. I do know that I love hiking (one

example among several) and I find it easier and more fun to do when not carrying

too much excess weight, just as I prefer to do it not carrying a heavy backpack

because I don't find that enjoyable. So although I'm certainly working on

learning to be conscious of how my food choices feel in the present moment and

how, from experience, I know they'll feel in an hour or two, I don't find it

inconsistent with the IE books I've read, to hope also to learn to make choices

in line with valuing wanting to be at a healthy weight to do things like hike.

I lived many years feeling very out of touch with my body, and for me it feels

like a good goal to want to really feel " in my body. " I of course can do that

at the weight I am right now, too, and am working on that as well - but certain

activities, like my hiking example, support me in that even further.

That doesn't feel like a diet to me, but it does feel about wanting to be truly

alive and enjoying my life to the fullest - I guess that's what I meant by

" free. " So when instead I find myself unable to stop eating certain foods even

tho' I'm full, that's something I'd like to change, and was hoping for some tips

from others on that. Some of you gave them, either to me or others, and I

appreciate that -reminding this newbie to focus on savoring the food and

checking in with myself on satisfaction and enjoyment.

Anyway, I could go on and on, as this is all very much on my mind right

now...just thanks again to all, and I might be emailing a couple of you if you

don't mind!

Best,