Intuitive eating

Angel · Newbie Joined: Oct 25, 2007 Posts: 2

I came across this website and agree with the mind, body, and spiritual approach to one's life. I found a book that ties into this philosophy by focusing on mindful eating. Susan Abler's book, Eating Mindfully: How to End Mindless Eating and Enjoy a Balanced Relationship with Food teaches one how to be aware and have acceptance of his or her eating habits. She goes on to use Buddist practices and and cognitive behavioral excercises to improve negative habits of eating. Just thought I would pass the information along and thought someone may find it useful.

nsearchof · Newbie Joined: Jan 18, 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for sharing about the book. It is truly a challenge to maintain a good weight especially as one nears middle age. Finding the proper balance with diet and exercise and the time to do it!

marynmo · Newbie Joined: Jan 22, 2007 Posts: 3

I seem to find that there are many ways to eat better, or more "mindfully", if I only had more time. Is the book relevant for people with jobs, familiy, and other time related pressures?

cole · Newbie Joined: Jul 16, 2007 Posts: 2

The book sounds great. I have similiar issues as to one of the other posters: family, friends, work, kids...How to be mindful and present and fit it all in is a daiy challenge for me. Any ideas/suggestions on ways to organize/become more efficient to allow for mindfulness?

Rosemary · Newbie Joined: Mar 05, 2008 Posts: 1

Hello to all who are participating on this forum for weight control. I am a certified life and wellness coach and have many clients who are dealing with weight control issues. Mindfulness is definitely a piece to the puzzle when changing habits around food. How many times have we sat down to eat dinner/lunch and 10 minutes later we are cleaning off the table and we don't even remember eating. We are so preoccupied with other things going on in our lives that we are not really "present" when we are taking in our nourishment. This leads to overeating, not chewing our food enough and finishing everything on our plate rather than stopping when we are full. Becoming mindful when we nourish our bodies is a huge step towards weight control. I also hear overwhelm from Cole with family, friends, work, kids, etc. Working on balance and taking care of yourself is important. I always use the oxygen mask analogy with my clients. When you are in a plane the flight attendant asks you to put the mask on yourself first so you are better able to help those around you. This is a good practice for life. We all have a lot going on in our lives and are pulled in many directions. If we focus on our own self care, we are better prepared and healthier and can deal with everyday life challenges from a place of strength, which is better for us and those around us.

My suggestion is to start with you. Change always starts with you. Make the decision to become more mindful in one area of your life. It could be with your meals if weight is an issue.

Becoming organized and having balance in your life is a another area we can discuss in another posting. Good luck, Rosemary