A ridiculously high number of 20-somethings struggle with body image.
We know that we are more than our appearance, but it can still be so hard to compartmentalize the real bodies we see around us everyday with the models and actresses we see in entertainment.
We’re also constantly inundated with information about how our country is so unhealthy, with drastically high obesity numbers and a terrible “American” diet.
So how do you combine all that contradictory information? How do you stop obsessing over your body while still being conscious of your health? Enter Intuitive Eating.
The concept is credited to Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, authors of Intuitive Eating, which outlines in detail all of the theories behind this lifestyle change. At its heart, Intuitive Eating is a rejection of diets and restrictions. Instead, as an Intuitive Eater, you simply listen to your body.
When we were kids, we were all Intuitive Eaters. We ate when we were hungry and stopped when we were full. At some point, though, most of us lost our connection to this intuition. Maybe we got used to thinking desserts were “bad.” Or we were told we couldn’t have snacks before dinner, so we went to the table ravenous. Maybe we restricted our caloric intake so much to look like the girl next to us in history class that we forgot what it felt like to actually feel full because we got so used to being hungry. Maybe we just ate so fast all the time that we had no concept of what it felt like to feel comfortably sated, so we yo-yoed between starving and stuffed.
Whatever the reason, many of us no longer trust our own bodies and brains to eat what we need when we need it.
But our bodies are truly incredible—they know exactly how to ask for the food that’s going to nourish us and help us feel our very best.Intuitive Eating helps us relearn our bodies’ signals so that we no longer have to stress about food. To truly embrace Intuitive Eating, you have to let go of the idea of “diets” and instead think about a true lifestyle. That means letting go of all restrictions.
You may be thinking, “If I can eat anything I want, I’ll obviously eat all the cookies, right?” You might…for a few days. But eventually, if you’re really listening to your body, you’ll realize that it’s nice to have a cookie or two, but after a while, you don’t get as much enjoyment or nourishment out of it. And you start to crave a big salad with lots of fresh veggies, or a crisp apple that will give you that awesome crunch and some hydration.
Ultimately, Intuitive Eating gives you control over your diet. All you have to do is learn to trust and love your body, and you will find a happy weight that allows you to eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full and indulge when you truly want to. Food should fuel us, but it should also be a source of enjoyment, not uncontrollable stress.
Intuitive Eating is a journey, not a quick switch. But it’s a journey that will free you from calorie counting and food restrictions, opening up that brain space to focus on things that are way more important.
Feature Photo via We Heart It