We are born with the ability to eat when we are hungry and stop when we are full. Think about babies or young children. When they are hungry they let you know. When they are full you can’t put anything past their mouths. It’s called self regulation.

Early messages around eating can disrupt those thoughts. Eat two more bites. Finish your plate. You shouldn’t eat all that you’ll gain weight. That isn’t good for you.

Maybe restrictive food messages were self inflicted as an adult. I have to eat less to lose weight. I’m going to drink water to fill up even though I’m hungry. I’ll drink a diet soda instead of eat. I’m already over my points for the day so I can’t eat that. I need to save my calories for later so I’m going to skip breakfast.

It’s likely at some point you stopped listening to your body. When you become disconnected from your body A major part of healing your relationship with food is learning to listen to your body again.

 

This week we are going to focus on how and why of learning to listen to your body again.

Before we move on, as yourself these questions:

1. Do you trust yourself to eat enough for your body?    Yes    or      No

2. I eat enough for what my body is hungry for?     Yes     or      No

3. When I finish a meal or snack, I am full and satisfied?   Yes    or   No

4. I enjoy a variety of food?   Yes   or    No

5. If I am at a party or event, I can find something to eat?     Yes    or   No

If you answered NO to any of these questions, you may be struggling with being attuned to your body and actually listening to your body to tell you how much and what to eat. Take a minute to reflect, when did you start learning to ignore your body in regards to your eating?

It’s about learning to trust your body again to do what it’s meant to do.

Over the next week, we will be exploring how you to can learn to self regulate your eating again!