Be honest.
How do you know when to stop eating?
For example, do you eat until the plate is licked clean or the packet’s empty?
Do you eat until you’re absolutely stuffed, full to bursting?
If so, you’re not alone.
Many of us adults have forgotten how to hear our bodies’ “I’m satisfied now” cues.
Or, we only hear the cues when they’re screaming at us, and we’re undoing the top button of our jeans.
The Intuition Of Children….
It’s the natural design of our body to eat when we’re hungry and stop when we’re satisfied.
Children know this intuitively. Think of how difficult it is to overfeed a two-year old. They eat when they’re hungry, when they’re satisfied, they stop. That’s it. Then they go outside and play.
But many of us forget this as we age. We grow up surrounded by well-intentioned notions that override our natural hunger and fullness cues.
Who didn’t grow up with the saying, “Finish your plate – just think of all those children dying in Africa”?
Or, often we eat more than our body needs as an adult out of a social expectation or feeling of obligation, “I’ve been slaving over a hot stove all day – I’ve made your favourite, so eat up!”
And, then it becomes habit.
After years of habitually eating more than our body needs we can no longer fit our jeans.
Grrrr!
So here is the third step in the simple eating habits series. Step 1 and Step 2 if you missed them.
Step 3: Eat when you’re hungry, STOP when you’re comfortable.
To lose weight permanently you must begin working with your body, not against it. Be that child again.
Both hunger and fullness change after every bite, which is why slowing down and eating mindfully are sooooo vital to being the shape and size you want to be.
The more you slow down and are mindful, the more you will recalibrate and be able to re-tune in with your inner cues for hunger and fullness.
The more you’ll notice that feeling of satisfaction.
And you’ll start to notice there comes a time in every meal where each subsequent mouthful becomes a little less enjoyable.
As soon as you notice this feeling, STOP eating. No matter how much food is left on your plate.
No matter how obligated you feel.
No matter how guilty you feel about the children in Africa.
Just stop eating.
And go outside and play.
Love etc, Avril
PS: Losing weight isn’t about one silver bullet or magic pill – it happens through small, daily action steps. If you’re struggling to take the steps hypnotherapy can help. Why not drop me a line over here…
