It's beyond eating when you're hungry & stopping when you're full...

Let's talk about intuitive eating, shall we?

I bought a book a few years back. It was actually in the dieting section, so if you're triggered by some of those books, I suggest you order it online or something. It's called Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch (both RDs). It was a very good book because, well, basically everyone should aim to eat intuitively.

Anyway, what is intuitive eating? According to the website http://www.intuitiveeating.org/, it is "an approach that teaches you how to create a healthy relationship with your FOOD, MIND & BODY- where you ultimately become the expert of your own body." This seems like such a hard feat for someone recovering from an eating disorder. "Expert of your own body"? If we want to be an expert on something, don't we have to at least like it? We have been so disconnected from our bodies for so long- we have been tricked, decieved, lied to by the eating disorder- so how are we supposed to learn what our bodies need? If I've learned anything from being in treatment for nearly 15 months, its that RECOVERY TAKES TIME. I know that so many times I have let the eating disorder tell me that I'm a failure for still struggling after 15 months of treatment. Why can't I be better yet? What is wrong with me? Will I EVER not struggle? Or will I suffer in some way for the rest of my life? But I always come back to this: I was sick for so long, that recovery might take a while too.

"My worst day in recovery is better than my best day in relapse."

Back to the book: When I can eat intuitively, I will be able to distinguish between emotional and physical feelings. I will gain a sense of "body wisdom". AHA! Isn't that key? They always say that "it has nothing to do with the food". Maybe they're right. Intuitive eating is making PEACE WITH FOOD. Not labeling it as "good or bad".  It's about hearing and responding to my inner body cues. When you think about it (and I often do), what population eats the best? BABIES AND TODDLERS. Seriously. Watch them eat sometime. They were born with that inner wisdom to listen to their bodies. You and I were born with it too. I guess I just have to connect with my inner child.

I really suggest you check out the website. But if you can't, here's some principles to pay attention to:


10 Intuitive Eating Principles

1) Reject the "diet" mentality.
2) Honor your hunger.
3) Make peace with food.
4) Challenge the food police.
5) Respect your fullness.
6) Discover the satisfaction factor.
7) Honor your feelings without using food (or lack thereof).
8) Respect your body.
9) Excerise- feel it, don't just do it.
10) Honor your health.


So how are we supposed to know when we're ready to eat intuitively? Because let's be honest: someone who is just starting out treatment is not ready to rely on their body cues because their cues have been skewed so much by the eating disorder. We actually had a group with Ashlee (AO!) on this. She gave us some indicators on how to know when we're ready for intuitive eating. If you're thinking about taking this challenge upon yourself, you should probably check these off as you go. See if you're ready.

-Able to tolerate risks with eating.
-Able to tolerate being uncomfortable (trying new food challenges can be temporarily uncomfortable).
-Recognize (and manage) needs and feelings.
-Value self-care.
-Recognize vulnerability.

All in all, no one wants to be on a meal plan for the rest of their lives. Intuitive eating is possible, even for those recovering from an eating disorder. It might take time...lots of time. But don't get frustrated.

Now I feel like I just wrote an essay on intuitive eating. Sorry if I bored you, but I think this stuff is important. Especially for those who have been in treatment for a while. If you want to know where I am in all of this, I am happy to tell you. I no longer follow a "meal plan". I know what I'm supposed to have (this many breads, so and so fats, X amount of fruits, etc...), but I don't fill out an intake form or anything anymore, even when I still go to Canopy Cove. I guess I just try to have something from each exchange at every meal, and then as far as snacks, I kind of just have what I'm craving. Ashlee told me to have at least 2 different exchanges for snacks. Sure, I'm still afraid of fats and there are definitely foods that I avoid out of fear. I still need to work on my food challenges for sure. But I can say that I am proud of myself for the strides I've made with lessening my worries and anxieties around food. I have literally been measuring food for years. Sometimes, in my extremely sick days, I would measure things at least 3 times just to be safe. But I'm happy to say that I've drastically reduced my measuring! I only really measure things like fats and cottage cheese, rice, and milk. When I first got to Canopy Cove, I told Ashlee that I never could picture myself NOT measuring foods and drinks. But little by little I stopped. I first started with not measuring vegetables, then fruits, etc... And I have faith that you can do it too. Just trust yourself a little! Trust your inner child. Because  your inner child has the wisdom you need to balance your food, body and mind!