Intuitive Eating… a term you might’ve heard. Lately, it’s gotten a lot of buzz, and there’s a big movement towards the philosophy. Although I am 110% on board, it’s a little bit disappointing that this movement is as shocking or as big of a deal as it is.
We’re born as natural, intuitive eaters. A baby knows when he or she is hungry and full. They eat until they’re satisfied, and they simply eat what is provided. Nothing is seen as “good”, “bad”, “healthy”, “unhealthy”, or labeled any sort of way. Obviously up until a certain age, children cannot count or read the nutrition facts labels on foods. Calories don’t exist. However, even when they are able to see and comprehend these numbers, they don’t attach such significant meaning to them. Food is fun, pleasurable, and merely a part of life. We need it to survive, but it should not control our lives.
Now that society is becoming aware of the fact that Intuitive Eating is essentially the healthiest way to live— no diets or restrictions, participating in joyful movement, reduced stress, satisfaction, and pleasurable eating experiences— the movement towards “non-dieting” has begun. Not everybody is going to buy into it, that’s just a part of life, but I hope that you will at least give it a chance.
Intuitive eating means eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full. It means eating the food you truly want, when you want it. It means moving your body in a way that FEELS good and makes you happy. It means not labeling foods as “good” or “bad”. It means no longer allowing food (or a lack thereof) to control your mind or your life. It means respecting your body enough to love it as it is, give it what and how much it wants, and not punishing it later. It means learning to resolve and honor your feelings without using food.
This concept has become so much more difficult than it was ever meant to be. Instead of being encouraged to listen to and honor our bodies, we are bombarded with diets, rules, and restrictions about food. There are 10 principles to the philosophy of Intuitive Eating, and I covered each one in its own blog post (see below). If you choose to embark on a journey of Intuitive Eating, the journey might be difficult. It WON’T be perfect. But what I can promise you is that the hard work and any temporary, uncomfortable feelings that might surface will absolutely be worth it. You’ll learn to listen to your body again, trust it, and be able to live your best life.
I’d love to help you on this journey, too! Click HERE to read about the different levels of services I offer. There’s no time like the present to better yourself and develop an overwhelming sense of peace, confidence, and joy WITHOUT petty restrictions.
You can read more on my Instagram page HERE as well, and I’d highly recommend THIS book if you’d like to learn more about intuitive eating.
Now, here’s principle #1!
