How Can You Truly Intuitive Eat? Part 2

Alright, alright so we’ve got the basics with the first part of the intuitive eating principles , so what else do we need to know? What else will be guiding us on this journey? Let’s dive right in! 

One of the main principles of intuitive eating is identifying your fullness. This happens by observing the cues your body is giving you to tell you that you are full. To do this, stop mid way through eating to really evaluate your hunger. If you’re still hungry, honor it by continuing to nourish your body. 

If this sounds great but also sounds impossible to actually execute, we get it! You’re bound to have a back and forth quite a bit until you develop that trusting understanding with your body. This is where the next principle, coping with your emotions through kindness, comes into play. It’s not uncommon to use food to soothe our emotions, and it’s easy to reach for that treat or dive right into food to help temporarily soothe you. The problem is, food never solves the root issue of your emotions. Instead, approach your emotions with empathy and kindness. Respect the feelings for being there, and find healthier alternatives to deal with your emotions (like self care, moving your body, going to therapy, or journaling).

You’ve got to be realistic when it comes to your emotions and your body, your relationship you have with your body and emotions, and how you cope with it all. You are beautifully and wonderfully made, no matter what shape or size you are. You are an incredible human being! If you want to change your relationship with food, you’ve got to change your relationship with yourself. Respect your body. Once you respect your body, you’ll feel better about who you are, and you’ll make choices to enhance your energy and nourish your life.

Speaking of energy, that brings us to our second to last principle- Movement! This principle is not about exercise, it’s about movement. It’s about ditching the “I have to do this type of workouts” that you dread and instead moving your body the way it feels good moving. Maybe that’s dance or yoga or walking or running or strength… you know how you like to move. Focus on movement that brings you joy and energy. This is key in your healthy life journey.

Last but not least, to accomplish intuitive eating, you want to honor your health using gentle nutrition. This means focusing on consistently nourishing your body while remembering you don’t have to eat perfectly. Consistency over time is what matters. 

Your body deserves to be listened to, and you deserve to be your healthiest self. Developing a healthy relationship with food is a journey, you will continue to feel more at peace day by day when you incorporate these principles.