That's what I'm talkin' 'bout! heheh
That resonnates with me. I have found myself clearing out the mental "should's" to get to a place where I can hear what is going on inside.

Isabella, thanks for hunting that down for us. You get points!

Thanks for posting that Isabelle, and thank you for your thoughts Rae. The list seems like common sense as I want to enjoy my food, not worry about every little bite I put into my mouth. So, I like the ten commandments of intuitive eating. I've had birthday cake today (a 3 year old's) and I savoured every flavour and texture of her special cake.

Of course, being me, I will probably need to reassure myself about the provenance of the food - if meat has been well reared, in humane conditions and butchered in the same way, or if the vegetables have had pesticides, or have travelled loads of food miles to reach my table.

Having mindfulness about our food in its nutritional value, the conditions of its life, and of how it comes to my plate is part of the journey I want towards a healthy relationship with my food and body as well, Juliette. Thank you for framing that thought so nicely .

thanks for posting this- it helps a lot!! i know i've been doing a lot better about eating, but i still have a long wat to go!

Hey all

I'd like to join you all. I often get to a point when losing weight where i'm torn between keeping going eating well and getting more and more back into my 'comfort' food (high calorie, high fat, high sugar) and however much I visualise myself becoming slim and telling myself I want it, the attraction to the so-called comfort food is always stronger. I want to learn to love myself more so that food doesn't become the answer to emotional triggers.

I'm glad you all found that posting I put out there helpful.

It really makes sense to me. Thanks for starting this thread! I need more help with my food than anything else right now and I really like this concept. I'm gonna begin today.... to really look at what i eat, not deprive, and really enjoy each bite of food I do have and to pay attention to how I feel with the food I eat. Eat when hungry and try to stop when not hungry. That is my goal for this week. To really pay attention to what goes in my body, but not feel bad or guilty either.

MY BIGGEST ISSUES:
5. Respect Your Fullness Listen for the body signals that tell you that you are no longer hungry. Observe the signs that show that you're comfortably full. Pause in the middle of a meal or food and ask yourself how the food tastes, and what is your current fullness level?

7. Honor Your Feelings Without Using Food Find ways to comfort , nurture, distract, and resolve your issues without using food. Anxiety, loneliness, boredom, anger are emotions we all experience throughout life. Each has its own trigger, and each has its own appeasement. Food won't fix any of these feelings. It may comfort for the short term, distract from the pain, or even numb you into a food hangover. But food won't solve the problem. If anything, eating for an emotional hunger will only make you feel worse in the long run. You'll ultimately have to deal with the source of the emotion, as well as the discomfort of overeating.

HOW DO WE USE THIS SPACE?

As I see Isabella using this circle of support to claim her intentions for the week, building on the Intuitive Eating guides, I wonder in what other ways we might like to use this circle.

I placed it under CHALLENGES because that seems like a good destination for folks when they come to the forum.

When I first conceived of doing this, I wanted to offer a place that we could create something new, perhaps based on what we like from other challenges, but ultimately set up in a totally new way if we wish.

So I would love for your input. What do you need or wish this circle of support to be?

Also, I am a visual person and would encourage others who might like to work in that way to find images that might help convey feelings or concepts they might like include.



What shall we create?

Thanks,
Rae

I have taken myself off of Buddy Slim in the past because of the obsession it creates in my mind over losing weight, counting calories, "militantly exercising", and all the other obsessions that come with the read-out of that little digital monster that can make or break my day. I have been gone from BuddySlim since Spring because the obsession was leading me toward dangerous habits.

The good news is... I have subscribed to eating better choices and listening to my body. In those 5 or 6 months, I have gained a little bit of my weight back, not much. But I truly feel free from the pressure and deprivation that comes from restriction. I'm much happier, and my husband says I'm happier. I'm getting control of portion sizes, and like I said earlier, trying to make better choices 85% of the time. It's a process.

So, that being said, you are on a noble quest Rae. One that has a marvelous direction.... positivity. Thank you!

About Self-Love...


Self-love Defined:
Love of one's self; desire of personal happiness; tendency to seek one's own benefit or advantage....from Famous Quotes and Quotations at BrainyQuote


An Article:
Psychology Today has an article regarding self-love. If you are wondering what it is exactly or how it might help you, consider checking it out.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20021203-000002.html

I think I need this more than the weight loss. Of course, I sometimes think that if I loved myself more, the weight loss would be a lot easier. Count me in.