I think I am frightened of being hungry. If I listened to my body, I have a feeling that I would eat mini meals throughout the day similar to this. I actually did that on Body for Life, my most successful stab at a diet. And BFL was a failure because I had to plan like crazy and was constantly thinking of my next meal. My mind knows that it would be different if I was being true to my own hunger and cravings. So what is making me fear this?
This is a hill to climb – because I really do want to “demand feed” and respect my hunger. I am not sure where to go from here. I’ll continue to surround myself with like-minded blogs, books, etc… in hopes some sort of transformation happens in my thinking.
One can hope, right?
It makes complete sense to be scared of being hungry. As an experienced dieter, you had to embrace the idea that hunger was the enemy (and also to be desired, in a weird way). Meals and snacks are planned with a complete disregard for hunger and appetite; really, if you could learn to completely disconnect from the hunger, it was like a tiny victory, right?
What helped me in the early days of demand-feeding was playing with my hunger: eating just enough not to feel hungry anymore, and then eating again as soon as the hunger came back. Even if it was 30 minutes later. Eventually, I figured out what fullness level felt best to me, and also what level of hunger made the food taste the best. Now, I don’t necessarily eat the second I get a little hungry, because I know I enjoy eating more when my hunger is stronger.
But it’s scary. It’s scary because we’ve learned our appetites are shameful and out of control and if we eat what we want, we’ll never stop. I promise you that won’t happen. I think this will be easier for you if you separate demand-feeding from trying to lose weight, though. If you’re going to trust your body, you’re going to have to try to trust all of it–it’ll go where it needs to go over time.
Have you gotten your copy of When Women Stop Hating Their Bodies yet? I think that will really help you!!
You’re so right – I’m ditching the scale. I wasn’t feeling very confident in using it anyway and it does go against my desire to follow my hunger.
Thanks so much for the tips. I have been really enjoying your blog and have almost devoured the whole thing. I love how you “put it out there”.
And my book should be here tomorrow – cannot wait.