Intuitive Eating for All
This time of year, we are all being blasted with diet plans, 21 day detoxes, quick fixes, and the like. The diet industry is ginormous and despite efforts from the body positive movement, and growing evidence that diets do not work, the industry continues to grow.
Years ago, after acquiring mainly clients interested in weight loss, I created a program called Mindful Weight Loss. It took out the “dieting” aspect and reintroduced eating food in a more intuitive way. The program was my most successful “weight loss” program, but I still struggled with the idea of being a weight loss coach. The focus on losing weight still wasn’t aligned with who I am and going forward I focused more on how to add elements to our lives that improved overall health and wellbeing.
So, today’s blog might seem like I’m headed back down the diet rabbit hole, but I assure you I am not. When we talk about intuitive eating it’s not about restriction or following meal plans.
Intuitive eating is choosing what and how much food you’ll intake based on how you feel. It’s not about overthinking things like “Is this good for me? Will this make me fat? Did I already eat too much at breakfast and should only have a small snack for lunch?” etc.
If you follow your Human Design, you may already have some tips on eating for your design. This can be especially helpful for anyone that struggles with hearing/feeling their intuition.
If you are used to numbing yourself with food and alcohol, hearing your intuition is going to be a bit harder at first, but not impossible. In the beginning, you are going to be guided by your cravings more than your intuition. And hear this… that is ok. Just recognize it and take a moment to think about what your body really wants. Have a glass of water and give yourself a second to check in again to see if you get a clearer picture of what you want.
Remember that our body is used to the seasons we are in. It is expecting a diet higher in carbs during the winter and higher in water content in the summer (through more fruits and veggies). There really is no point in turning down dessert at an annual holiday gathering or saying no to Champagne on New Years’ Eve if that’s what you really want.
The other part of intuitive eating to pay attention to is how you feel after you eat. How did it make you feel? Did you eat too much, and your stomach hurts? Did you find it too sweet and not as enjoyable as you thought? Did you feel tired and grumpy shortly after? Or did you feel good? Energized?
Intuitive eating applies to the time of day that you eat as well. You might not always feel like eating when you first wake up, but some days you do. Your needs are unique, and no one knows your body like you!
If you feel like you could use some help tapping into your intuition, I recommend booking a Human Design reading. Your personal chart can tell you about your digestion, if your brain is active or passive (which can affect eating habits), and your strongest sense, which can also impact eating.
Remember that with time and attention, your intuitive eating will become second nature. You won’t second guess your choices; you’ll enjoy your meals more and without all that guilt.
Your body wants to feel good. We stand in the way of that by restricting ourselves and forcing ourselves to eat foods we don’t like.
But that can stop today!
Here’s to joyful eating in 2022!
In health and happiness,
Melissa xo