FOOD. Life itself, energy, prana. We need it to survive, yet we abuse it’s unnatural abundance in our society. More than one-third (35.7%, I just googled it) of Americans are obese. This includes children. A larger percent are malnourished. We are over fed but starving to death, as we aren’t getting the micro nutrients we need to thrive in health. A huge reason for this is simple ignorance. Fast food is convenient, cost efficient, and EVERYWHERE. Most aren’t really aware of the damage their doing to their bodies. First step; AWARENESS. It’s happening, friends, slowly, but surely. There are movements of health conscious fast food joints, vegan included! Healthy options are popping up in gas stations, classic american diners, etc. For a conscious foodie as I am, this excites me!
Guys, I have a story. I’m not perfect in my diet, but my intentions are pretty solid and I have found balance. I’ve gone from eating whatever was available, to raw, to vegan, to being an absolute health/workout fanatic; mentally unhealthy and overly obsessive, to letting go of all control in India and eating ALL THE FOOD, to now; to balance. Now. Now, I have the intention of health, of a better relationship with my body, of gifting it with as much love through nutrients and yummy eats, because I respect it THAT MUCH. Before, I cared more about the calorie content than the nutrient content. NOW; I eat the rainbow. I eat chocolate, when I want chocolate. I workout, because I love the feeling of being strong. I run, because it makes me feel free. I LISTEN TO MY BODY. This took years to achieve and I wish I had someone to tell me how to get here, to now. It was a journey, my journey, but a helping hand would have been.. nice.
So, I’m taking it upon myself to be your helping hand, if you will receive me. For the next few hundred words, I will share my tips for intuitive eating and stronger body awareness. If you have any questions, comments, anything, PLEASE reach out. I would LOVE to hear from you.
INTUITIVE EATING
What is this intuitive eating?
Your intuition is a product of your mind, body and spiritual knowing. It’s a part of your body (hence hunger and fullness play an important role in guiding it), but it’s not ONLY your body.
It’s also informed by logic, environment, as well as something entirely different — something metaphysical; something only you can know in yourself.
You know what eating is.
Simply, intuitive eating is listening to your body’s natural hunger signals, your leptin hormone. It’s eating until you feel full, then stopping. Not eating for pleasure (although that certainly is a part of it) but to refuel. It is entirely possible to always feel light and energized in your body. The quantity (and quality) of food you consume plays a huge part in that. Calories=energy. If you don’t need that energy, and your body tells you, don’t eat. That simple. People now a days eat for a hundred different reasons, probably more.
Bored=eat Stressed=eat drunk=eat tired=eat dehydrated=eat Maybe hungry but just ate 20 minutes ago=eat emotional=eat couch potato time=eat
Relate with any of these? I certainly do did.
Intuitive eating principles;
- Ditch the ‘diet mentality’– Throw away the calorie counter, the diet books, all the tools that aren’t you, in your body. You know what you need, best. Tune into that, and listen. Hungry? Eat. Fill your plate with veggies, top it with protein, top that with a fat and BOOM you just rejuvenated your body.
- Get on a schedule-Eating at spontaneous times, or too much between meals, is going to confuse your body. Be consistent with your meal times, and allow that time to refuel to be ceremonial. Slow down. ENJOY.. Which leads into…
- Consciously eat-Take a bite, put the utensil down. Chew, slowly. Taste the food, separate the flavors, the textures. Smell. See. Consciously consume the energy you are digesting in your body. Allow a relationship with every meal, with the understanding that it is literally becoming a part of you.
- Honor your hunger– You’re a human being in need of energy in the form of calories. Part of intuitive eating is honoring what your body needs, and when. If you feel hunger; eat, and stop eating when you stop feeling hunger. Don’t keep eating until you feel stuffed. Make peace with food.
- Respect your fullness– You come with nifty hormones that signal your brain that you are full, you are no longer need of food. Respect that. You can always save those last few bites for another meal.
- Exercise-feel the difference-When you sweat for pleasure, for HEALTH, instead of obsessively trying to shed the pounds; oh the freedom you find! Feel strength, balance, grace, speed, BECAUSE YOU’RE ALIVE AND YOU CAN. Movement is a gift, not a punishment. Treat it as so, and you will reap the benefits.
Honor your health. Consciously.
Love your body.
Lots of (self) love
-Emilia ♥
Emilia Semrau 