No More Sad Days of Dieting

Intuitive Eating and how I began to feel better

So, I weighed myself for the first time in eight years. Not weighing myself was a grace I allowed myself as I stopped a lifetime of compulsive dieting. The freedom was wonderful and helped me connect with my body—feelings of hunger and satiety as well as emotional feelings like anxiety and fear which for years I had kept numb with food. At this point, I was ready to know. But still, facing the scale was risky business.

I sensed that this data point would somehow be part of my desire to feel better in my body. I had a little chat with myself before I stepped on the scale. Whatever the number, it was the price I paid for peace of mind and it was worth it. No matter what it said, I would be kind and loving to myself. No matter what it said, I would not panic and go back to dieting, no way. No matter what it said, my path forward was a continuation of my healing and I would continue with Intuitive Eating.

Four years ago, I invested months of time and a good chunk of money to learn about Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch’s Intuitive Eating method. Their book, first published in 1995, is now in its fourth edition, but the same 10 principles stand strong. Intuitive Eating helped me stop dieting, connect with my body, and feel better, during menopause, I might add.

When I eat, I focus on getting more fruits and vegetables, and I eat the things I love even though they may not be the home run hitters of the nutrition world, like half and half cappuccinos, sourdough bread, wine, chocolate, popcorn with butter, a nicely made pastry, that kind of thing. I don’t follow rules, I no longer classify foods “good/bad” and I stay in the moment asking myself: am I hungry, what do I feel like eating, how will it make me feel, how do I want to feel?

I am a believer. Intuitive Eating healed a lifetime of food and weight obsession for me. I truly do live a joyful, healthy relationship with food now, each and every day. I am so happy to wake up each day and know that there will be no more sad days of dieting for me, but rather fully present living and an appreciation for the connection that comes through the gift of food and eating.

But I can’t stop with me. I am compelled to share my story so that we, as a nation and as a world, can feel better. Connection to body is essential for cultivating a positive relationship with food and body which is essential for our health—physical, mental, and spiritual—mind and gut, heart and soul. Here at About Love & Cookies I devote some of my posts to explaining how I stopped dieting and came to my senses. Intuitive Eating played a part, but not the most significant part. Connection inward, to my heart and soul, beginning to notice and take in the beauty and wonder that is all around, that is what has truly set me free.

If you struggle with your food relationship, I hope what I share here helps you feel better in your body and frees up your brain for joyful and nourishing pursuits.