Lately I've been thinking about the idea of transitioning to intuitive eating at some point in the future. It's not because I don't like the way I eat or anything, or that I hate my food. No, I actually really like what I eat. I am fine with it for now, but I think I would like to one day be able to eat without overthinking it so much.
I mean, I do eat somewhat intuitively in the sense that I never feel like I HAVE to eat something and I genuinely do enjoy all the foods I eat(with the exception of any and all vegetables). I have variety in my diet and make food choices based on what sounds good to me at that moment, but I will admit that I do sometimes overthink it. Just as an example, I may think about having a certain amount of protein, or carbs, and/or fats, based on what I've already eaten or will eat later day. The whole macro thing just foreverrrr sticks in your head!
My biggest fear about eating more intuitively is not actually gaining weight but losing muscle. I've worked SO freaking hard to gain the muscle I have, and it has largely been due to changing the way I eat over the last few years. It's been because I've eaten MORE of the right things, in addition to my strength training, that has gotten me the best results. I'm afraid that if I ate strictly intuitively like I used to, I'd just grab an apple or a handful of Goldfish crackers for a snack instead of my protein source and then be under calories for the day. Or maybe if I'm honest, the fear is more about the lack of structure/control, and not knowing how much I'd be taking in each day like I (somewhat) do now.
And while I don't constantly stress about food like I used to, or fear any certain foods anymore, there are things I do right now that I would like to some day get away from....Things like making sure not to skip meals even if I'm not all that hungry,and always having to have a protein source at every meal, even if that's not really what I'm feeling. Not that those things are BAD, and most people in the fitness world actually do those things, but sometimes I want to be able to just EAT without thinking about if it's the right thing at the right time, or if I ate enough calories or not for the day. Basically, I just want to go back to how I ate in college, minus the daily fast food and Reese cups. ;)
Sometimes I don't know if I even could eat without thinking about the macros and all that. It's like that will never get out of my head, even though I don't even track anymore and haven't for years. But I know that I can, because it's what I do when I go on vacation, and I have no problem with it. I eat what truly sounds good to me at the time, and I don't stress about eating too much or too little. Although if I ate strictly intuitively, I would probably never eat a single vegetable, because that is NEVER something that sounds good to me...so there's that.
So I don't even know how you would start towards intuitive eating. Like, I know you can't just wake up one day and totally forget how you have been eating for the last 10 years....And I know mentally it would be a struggle. But I do feel that at some point this would be the next step in my nutrition journey.
I liked this article that I came across the other day, that kind of sparked my thoughts about this intuitive eating thing. http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2013/04/19/just-eat-my-thoughts-on-intuitive-eating/
Anyone have any thoughts or tips to share?
I mean, I do eat somewhat intuitively in the sense that I never feel like I HAVE to eat something and I genuinely do enjoy all the foods I eat(with the exception of any and all vegetables). I have variety in my diet and make food choices based on what sounds good to me at that moment, but I will admit that I do sometimes overthink it. Just as an example, I may think about having a certain amount of protein, or carbs, and/or fats, based on what I've already eaten or will eat later day. The whole macro thing just foreverrrr sticks in your head!
My biggest fear about eating more intuitively is not actually gaining weight but losing muscle. I've worked SO freaking hard to gain the muscle I have, and it has largely been due to changing the way I eat over the last few years. It's been because I've eaten MORE of the right things, in addition to my strength training, that has gotten me the best results. I'm afraid that if I ate strictly intuitively like I used to, I'd just grab an apple or a handful of Goldfish crackers for a snack instead of my protein source and then be under calories for the day. Or maybe if I'm honest, the fear is more about the lack of structure/control, and not knowing how much I'd be taking in each day like I (somewhat) do now.
And while I don't constantly stress about food like I used to, or fear any certain foods anymore, there are things I do right now that I would like to some day get away from....Things like making sure not to skip meals even if I'm not all that hungry,and always having to have a protein source at every meal, even if that's not really what I'm feeling. Not that those things are BAD, and most people in the fitness world actually do those things, but sometimes I want to be able to just EAT without thinking about if it's the right thing at the right time, or if I ate enough calories or not for the day. Basically, I just want to go back to how I ate in college, minus the daily fast food and Reese cups. ;)
Sometimes I don't know if I even could eat without thinking about the macros and all that. It's like that will never get out of my head, even though I don't even track anymore and haven't for years. But I know that I can, because it's what I do when I go on vacation, and I have no problem with it. I eat what truly sounds good to me at the time, and I don't stress about eating too much or too little. Although if I ate strictly intuitively, I would probably never eat a single vegetable, because that is NEVER something that sounds good to me...so there's that.
So I don't even know how you would start towards intuitive eating. Like, I know you can't just wake up one day and totally forget how you have been eating for the last 10 years....And I know mentally it would be a struggle. But I do feel that at some point this would be the next step in my nutrition journey.
I liked this article that I came across the other day, that kind of sparked my thoughts about this intuitive eating thing. http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2013/04/19/just-eat-my-thoughts-on-intuitive-eating/
Anyone have any thoughts or tips to share?
Hi there! I really enjoy your blog. I understand all your worries! After tracking macros for years and years, I finally needed a break and started learning how to eat intuitively. Yes I say learned because I didn't know how and I didn't understand how to listen to my hunger cues. I'm about five months in and it's soooo amazing. Seriously. I'm so thankful because I am open to thinking more about other things and less about macros. I've followed your blog for awhile and I always feel like I take info from you - so glad to have a chance to offer some of my own help. I started with a great book called lean habits from Georgie fear. Excellent book and then slowly transitioned to doing it my way. No muscle loss on me yet and my workouts are strong as ever. Good luck and let us know how you do!!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I definitely don't obesses about macros at all,but I'm not completely free of being mindful of it when I eat. Good to know it's working for you! Thank you so much for commenting, and I'll keep you updated!
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