Weight Loss

Intuitive Eating

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March 3, 2014

Hey everyone!! I hope you’re all keeping warm and cozy on these very chilly days. I’m sure you’re getting ready (like me) to kiss this long, frosty winter GOODBYE! and to welcome back the easy breezy warmer days of Spring! I love it when all my favorite fresh fruits and veggies come back in season. They’re plumper, juicier, tastier, and definitely cheaper! There are so many great nutritious and delicious choices to choose from, but today I wanted to share one of my favorite WAYS to eat. In the ‘nutrition community’ it seems that people are always telling us WHAT we should and WHAT we shouldn’t eat… but what about learning HOW to eat?

The biggest problem with so many diet plans out there is that they give you a list of rules and required meal plans. Essentially, when you follow a ‘plan’, you are listening to someone else tell you WHAT to eat, WHEN to eat, and HOW MUCH to eat. That’s not freedom at all!! What if I’m not hungry for breakfast at 7am? What if I just don’t feel like a salad for lunch? What if I really want breakfast for dinner, but it’s not on my plan? Is that so bad?! No!

In the comments section of my last blog post, someone told me about the book Intuitive Eating, by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. Well, let me start by saying that I can’t wait to read it!! I did some research about what ‘Intuitive Eating’ means and what it actually looks like.

I came across this article http://www.refinery29.com/2013/12/58356/intuitive-eating written by Kelsey Miller from Refinery 29. Basically, I love love LOVE this mindset towards dieting/ eating/ LIVING!

When I first lost weight years ago I decided that I just wanted to eat healthy portions of my favorite foods so that I could feel my best. I wanted to listen to my body. That meant completely avoiding the really unhealthy stuff and cutting back on foods that I didn’t need. But it was more than that. I realized that I could still enjoy my favorite treats!

Honestly, I think that having a healthy body begins with a healthy mindset. The more I learn about nutrition, the more I learn about the negative effects certain foods have on the body. I learn that I feel and look healthier when I eat healthier. I learn to eat when I’m hungry and NOT when I’m not. But that doesn’t mean that having a scoop of dairy-free ice cream for dessert makes me an unhealthy, horrible person. It doesn’t mean that indulging in a little chocolate of the end of the day is going to be a problem at all!

Sure, sweet treats may not be the best thing in the world, but sometimes you just NEED to satisfy that craving in a grown up, civilized, portion-controlled way. And remember, the more you restrict certain foods and classify them as “off limits”… the more you will crave them. As soon as I CAN’T have something I really want, well, that’s when I really want it… like, REALLY want it!!!

So check out the article and let me know what you guys think about Intuitive Eating!!

Thoughts? Feelings? Comments? Complaints? Let me know!!