It’s always interesting to see the reactions I get when someone asks me what I do. When I answer that I am an Intuitive Eating coach, I am sure all kinds of thoughts come to mind. Is it some kind of new-age diet? Is a psychic going to tell me what to eat? Do I have to get in touch with my “inner food-critic”?
Fortunately, Intuitive Eating is none of these. It is simply eating the way we all used to when we were small children. Check it out for yourself – when does a baby eat? He eats when he is hungry, or at least will scream until he gets food when he is hungry. You may also notice that this same baby doesn’t necessarily clean his plate or finish the bottle. When he is full, he is done, period. And, if you push him, the food may just end up all over the floor.
Intuitive eaters, like babies, eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. They eat for physical hunger only, as opposed to cleaning the plate or eating in response to stress, anger, sadness, or other emotions. For most of us, we were taught by our parents and other adults that we can’t trust our bodies to tell us when to eat. Common messages you may have heard as a child are things like, “You can’t be hungry, it’s not dinner time”, “Finish your dinner and you can have dessert”, or “Let’s have some ice cream and you will feel better”. From this, you may have learned to eat not because of true hunger, but because of a schedule, a reward, or to stuff down a painful emotion. As a result, many of us are emotional overeaters, overweight, and always in search of the next diet.
Intuitive eating is a non-dieting approach to losing weight. The fact is, if you eat when you are physically hungry and stop when you are satisfied, or full, your body will return to its natural weight. Diets tell you when and what to eat, taking away your power which leads to deprivation and binging, which in turn leads to weight gain – the exact opposite outcome you were looking for from the diet.
Overcoming emotional overeating and returning to your body’s natural weight requires breaking through eight roadblocks, including determining your values, giving up dieting, getting your needs met, ending negative self-talk and increasing activity. It is a process, and not a quick-fix diet. But it is worth it when you finally break the chains of chronic dieting, weight gain, food obsession, and emotional eating. You may find you have time and energy for more important things in your life!
Posted on Sep 14th 06 by Gillian Hood-Gabrielson.
Gillian Hood-Gabrielson is an intuitive eating and fitness coach specializing in overcoming overeating. She has been involved in the health and fitness industry for over 10 years, holds a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology and is certified by ACSM and Wellcoaches. Having overcome emotional overeating after living with it for 25 years, Gillian has a great understanding of why so many people battle this disorder and has a passion for helping others overcome it so they can live their lives fully. http://www.healthieroutcomes.com
Other posts on Coachamatic by Gillian Hood-Gabrielson.
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