The Hunger Distinction You Need To Know About
A lot of women come to me with anxiety around food, and they know it’s holding them back from living a life they want. They want to be present, especially in moments involving food. They also just want to ENJOY food again. After years and years of restriction, binging and dieting, they’ve come to fear food
The reality is that food is a part of our every day life. We have to eat. So how do you get to the point of actually enjoying food again, and eating the right amount for your body, without guilt or shame?
By now you’ve probably heard me talk so much about Intuitive Eating, Transformational Coaching, and healing your relationship with food.
There is so much involved in healing your relationship with food, and all of it is very individualized, because all our bodies are different and we all have different goals and stuck points.
However, I want to invite you into a new perspective around food and eating. If you’re looking to enjoy your food more, think back to a time when you’ve really enjoyed a meal.
Chances are that you were physically hungry.
There’s a difference between feeling physically hungry and emotionally hungry.
When we are emotionally hungry, there’s usually some need that needs to be addressed, and you’ve created a habit of using food to cope. This is how you can get stuck in the emotional eating cycle.
When we use food to numb out discomfort, we’re not truly hungry. Eating may help us feel better for a temporary period of time, but does that actually solve the original issue? No! Now you’re left with that original need and a heavy dose of guilt, shame, and being so full you need to unbutton your pants.
On the other hand, when you are truly physically hungry, your appetite mechanisms are high. You start to produce saliva and your digestive hormones start to kick in, preparing your body for a meal. At this point you may be feeling some hunger pangs and emptiness in your stomach.
This is when food is going to taste the best!
You will enjoy your food most when you are truly hungry.
Note that this does not mean that you are not allowed to eat when you’re not hungry.
We are so used to having rules around food from our dieting habits, that it’s our default to create our own rules.
You are always allowed to eat. You don’t need permission from anyone to eat when you want.
However, eating when you’re emotionally hungry will not address your emotional need.
When you have peace with food, you are likely to lose interest in your meal once you have eaten enough to fuel your body. This is your body naturally maintaining balance! How cool is it to know that you don’t have to effort or work hard to control your food.
Now, I know this sounds overly simplified. “Eat when I’m truly hungry and all my food issues will be resolved?”
This concept is simple on the surface, but there are many reasons why this is not always easy to implement. Knowing what to do is different than actually being able to follow through, and we all have our own ways that we self-sabotage.
It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you at all. It just means that it’s time to create some new habits and beliefs that are in line with the health and life you want to have.
If you want to dive deeper into healing your relationship with food, join me in the Peace with Food Community!
It all takes place inside a private Facebook group where you can find other women who are on the same journey. I’ll be giving free trainings and resources, so that you can take steps toward the health and life you want to have.
xo,
Melissa