Stop. Think. Listen.

Guys, I am really enjoying re-reading this book "Intuitive Eating" - and again, that shows you what I am talking about when I say to read and re-read information over and over again. Sometimes it won't sink in the first time around.

This book is great for those of us trying to address psycho dieting or emotional eating or whatever unhealthy relationships with food we might have. I shared with you guys I have become so obsessed with reaching my goals, I have been severely punishing my body with a resulting obsessive dieting mindset that ends up being counter productive. Severe dieting leads to thoughts of deprivation and denial, which leads to thinking of that which you are depriving yourself of, which likely leads to overeating, guilt and possible weight gain on top of it. Not good. Not productive. Not healthy.

This part I just read today was about eliminating, yes eliminating restrictions on food. That idea sends panic into many of us. It does for me no joke. BUT I will tell you this, it is real and true for me- when you do really allow yourself to say, I can eat whatever I want whenever I want ~ in the beginning when you still have that WRONG MINDSET of "wow this is forbidden food", you will probably want to go "binge" on Krispy Kremes or pizza or whatever. But if you STOP, THINK and LISTEN to your body; to your taste buds in that moment; pay attention. Do you REALLY LOVE that food? Or is it just that you are eating something that's "not allowed"??

I was obsessed with Oreo Cakesters. I had a try and loved them. Then I labeled them as forbidden, since it is junk food. (and it is....no joke, sugar and chemicals etc.) So they became all the more appealing and I obsessed about wanting them. Do you know what happened when I last bought some and said, "ok I'm having as many of these as I want" - with the premise that I was going to sit down and ENJOY THEM, eating them slow, not bingeing??

They had no taste. I concentrated and they had no taste. It wasn't some rich chocolate cake that was home-made. It was crap. My love affair is gone.

This makes me realize all this has merit, has truth. Does this mean that every food I love and enjoy I will taste and then not like? Doubtful. I will always love Olive Garden breadsticks...but I am removing that "forbidden" label to foods. I am focusing on eating when I'm hungry, eating to fuel my goals...not my heart or mind.

Every day I am gaining more insight and more control. It is easier than one would think. I urge you to check out this book from the library or buy it- link to Amazon is at the lower right. Great stuff. I'm thankful to be reading it. Snaps to you Cynthia for bringing all this to my attention.

;-)