Intuitive Eating has been proven to be beneficial for blood pressure, inflammation, and other markers of overall wellbeing in even the most vigorous research. That’s why I weave the principles of Health at Every Size into all of my wellness offerings from private yoga to health coaching. But IE (like exercise) doesn’t always result in weight loss, instead it can help you stay at a weight that’s sustainable for you and your body.
When so much of wellness culture is organized around weight loss, it can be hard for a lot of us to measure success without it. Here are some signs intuitive eating is working for you:
1. You stop thinking about food so much and when you do, your thoughts are less intense. Eventually you won’t feel guilty any more either. Food becomes a part of life. It can be enjoyable and it’s necessary, but it doesn’t take up nearly as much space in your day. Your food choices stop having an impact on how worthy you feel of love or how much you believe your life can be good and fulfilling. You’ll also probably notice you don’t crave foods as much or as intensely. You might even start leaving more food on your plate because you stop eating when you’re full.
2. You recognize when you’re hungry and you eat when your body tells you to. You stop worrying about what time it is or trying to feed yourself perfectly, you build trust with your body by listening to what it tells you and respecting your need for food. Some foods energize you or make you feel calmer. When you know that on an embodied level you can make better personalized decisions based on how you want to feel and what you need to do. That kind of a relationship with food can help you feel better throughout your day and in all areas of your life.
3. You stop eating foods you hate and start enjoying what you eat again. When you start eating based on your bodies cues, you really notice how you feel before and after meals. You also feel more connected to what it feels like when you’re actually eating. When you’re mindful and noticing the textures, smells and tastes you might even find that foods you thought you liked don’t taste as good… and some you never craved before become even more appealing. When they’re no guilt or shame around your food-related decisions, it’s easier to notice other aspects of the experience. As you let go of the stress, food actually tastes better.
4. Your relationships with people improve and you enjoy more activities. You might even save money and become more active. You think less about food before you go out and start becoming more open to new experiences. You do more things with other people and worry less about what you’ll eat and when you’ll work out. When you’re feeling relaxed you might start to take longer walks, feel better at yoga or notice you’re lifting heavier weights. You start noticing how tired or energized you are when you move your body. That way of moving intuitively helps you feel better and trust yourself when you’re resting. All of a sudden you have more time on your hands to start trying new things and pursuing hobbies that bring you joy.
5. You respond to stress without using food to cope. Mindfulness becomes a part of your life and you learn to respond to your thoughts with awareness and compassion. You start relying more on your friends and family for connection when you’re feeling sad, scared or alone. When food is just food, you can start finding ways to relieve your stress that don’t involve eating.
When your life becomes more peaceful and you start to realize you have space for thinking about things besides controlling your food intake, you know intuitive eating is working. Whether you’re looking for a health coach or nutritionist for moms, diabetes or a chronic illness, a health coach who works from a Health at Every Size Framework can help you get your life back.
