Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Resurgence of Hope

Seems like forever since I have blogged. We have been out of town. Went to a conference with Mark. A long way to sit in a motel room and/or walk the dog.

I have been watching "I Can Make You Thin" on TLC. It is Intuitive Eating taken to the next level. I am hooked. If you have been reading for a while you know I tried Intuitive Eating months ago with small success. I am a rebellious believer in the addiction/compulsion model of eating. I rage against being controlled by sugar (who doesn't), and, if I start eating sugar I do not seem to be able to stop. I hate being a sugar addict. It is like being in prison with no hope of parole.

Enter a man offering early release. If Paul McKenna is to be believed food can become a non issue in my life. I can eat like a person without a compulsion. Yeah right, pull the other one.

I have now watched two episodes. The first episode focused on his four cardinal rules for weight loss, "Don't starve, eat when hungry, eat what you like, eat consciously." Nothing I haven't heard before. This time however the rules hit home. "Don't starve," okayyyyy, I believe I have conquered that one. "Eat when hungry," see above. "Eat what you like," I am not eating what I like. But woman will die on a diet of cheesecake and M&M's. "Eat consciously." Took me awhile to even figure out what this meant. Yes I see the irony.

I think about (long for, dream about, obsess over) food much of the time when I am not eating. After I eat I perceverate on my gastronomic sins. The only time I don't think about food, is when I am eating. In terms of emotional eating this explains a lot...but I digress. According to Paul if you eat consciously you can tell when you are full (see above pulling statement) and will eat less. How to eat consciously? First, no distractions when eating. No t.v., book, phone, computer or loud environments, and sit down. Second, put down knife and fork between each bite. Third, chew each bite ten-twenty times. Fourth, taste and enjoy the food you so desperately wanted. I have been doing this. It is really frustrating and boring. Mark decided to try it with me. He says we will now have to get up an hour earlier to be able to finish breakfast. We also have had to come up with much more meal time conversation. And it is working. I eat less at each meal because I feel full. It is a miracle. I guess I did hear from God.

I will write about my reaction to episode two "Emotional Eating" tomorrow.

Take care of yourselves. Love Bea

19 comments:

Cindy said...

I think at some point in this journey of mine I started eating in a more intuitve manner. I did not set out to do it that way but it has more or less evolved. As we know, I have little discipline, I rebel if I have a rigid plan that I think I HAVE to stick to, or if I feel or am deprived. Somehow I have adopted some loose principles while gradually decreasing my portions. But like I said, this evolved somehow, but the grace of God, I think. I am a junkie and food was my drug of choice for several years. I still use food for comfort and I still eat emotionally at times, but it is not as severe, or prolonged. So intuitive eating is interesting to me.I may try and tune in - when is it? Great to hear from you!!! I have missed you terribly. I was looking back at my old posts and reading comments. "Panda, you slay me!!" is one of my favorites from you!! Love you

Cindy said...

By the grace of God, not "but" sorry

Anonymous said...

I feel that this show is giving me the gem I need to leave my slavery to food in my past. I have watched the past 2 weeks and have TRULY felt different. I have to remind myself 1. eat what you want and don't try to diet, just follow these rules. I am really trying to learn to be naturally thin person. I made signs for my bath and kitchen, that I read during the day. The only thing he left out is, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, everyday I start my morning with this prayer: Lord, please show me hunger and show me fullnes. Please keep sharing your insights on the show. Be Blessed!

Nory Roth said...

Intuitive eating, eh? Wouldn't recognize it if it bit me! Life just seems to get in the way of doing ANYTHING consciously for some reason. I like this line of thinking, though. I feel like I am multi-tasking myself to death sometimes. It would be nice to just sit and think about a meal for a change instead of charging it down so I can get on to the next big thing!

Great to have you back! As always, thought provoking.

Lori G. said...

Hey, I went ahead and posted something on AFG as per your request about intuitive eating and this show. I'm glad you're home and feeling better.

Anonymous said...

I think I eat intuitively most of the time. I know I was eating with my emotions last night. I ate because my honey was eating. I don't normally eat at night, but he was eating and having nothing to do I started eating. I ate a good amount; not stuffing myself, but more than I usually eat at a meal and it was only a snack.

I don't feel guilty about eating more than I usually do. It just seemed odd that I filled a plate when I wasn't truly hungry. I can't remember the last time I did that. I usually can sit while my honey eats with nothing to do. Next time, I'll get myself a cup of tea instead of eating when I already ate.

I don't know if eating last night was intuitive or just some odd behavior.

Anonymous said...

Last night's eating wasn't consciously at all, but I think it was intuitive. I didn't buy the book on Intuitive Eating so I don't know.

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