What Is Mindful Eating? Part One (VIDEO)

Hi everyone!

Recently, I am getting more into doing videos! Disclaimer:  they are not professional videos by any means, but I have to admit, I am having a hard time figuring out some of the technological stuff.  I kept putting videos off until I realized, I should just do the video and not worry about it!

As a Health Coach, I support women to love and respect their body.  From that, many of them want to know how to eat without having to go on a restrictive fad diet.  I love to talk about Mindful Eating because to me, it is one of the most compassionate forms of self-care we can do.  It’s not a diet- it’s a lifestyle.  Some people tout it as a natural way to lose weight, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it’s a weight loss plan, because it’s simply the way that we approach food.  Some people may lose weight practicing this and some may not.  However, it can greatly improve your relationship to food so you can eat the foods that nourish you and not feel guilty!

 

Here is Part One:

 

P.S.- Check out my new work book! It’s for women who are tired of trying to meet society’s unreal expectation and who desire to have the tools to learn to love and accept their body, at any size.  see a sample and learn more about it on Amazon HERE!

Listening to our body

Do you listen to your body?

If you sit with my family and I at the dinner table, chances are you might hear  my 7 or 8 year old say, “I’m full. I can’t eat another bite. I”m listening to my body!”

How many of you listen to your body when you are eating? I know many of us grow up being taught to finish what is on our plate.  Or when visiting a family member or friend, it is only polite to have seconds or even thirds.

How about when we go out to eat and we are given that huge plate of pasta? Do we feel obligated to eat it all?

I am reading a fantastic book called “Intuitive Eating” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, both in the nutrition field.

In this book, they list 10 principles, such as Honor Your Hunger, Feel Your Fullness and Challenge the Food Police.

Intuitive Eating basically means trusting your body in regards to food.   If it is telling you to stop eating, then stop.  If you are hungry, don’t ignore  your hunger because you feel you are not supposed to eat at that particular time.

Really stop and think, “why am I craving this food?”  Is this something my body is telling me to eat?

Next time you sit down with your meal, stop half way through and really feel what you are feeling.  Assess your hunger level from 1-5.  Five would be completely stuffed and 1 would  be ravenous.  I would suggest eating until you are about a 3 or 4.

Is this something you are aware of when you eat?  Do you feel like you “listen to your body?”

I welcome all comments! Let’s hear from YOU!

Kellie McGarry, Certified Health Coach
http://www.nourishedandnew.com