Can you be honest with yourself? Is what you want and need acceptable to you? So often I’ve seen, in myself and the women I work with, a tendency to think that we’re wrong to take care of ourselves. Selfish, self-centered. Especially around food. We take in societal influences and think that we should beat ourselves up every time we eat – or gawd forbid, enjoy – food.
A lot of this is supported by the messages we get about what foods are healthy/unhealthy, good/bad. What’s unfortunate is that we then paste good/bad labels on ourselves based on what we eat. I’m sure you’ve said this: “I was so bad, I had a mochaccino with double whip this morning,” or, “I’m going to be good today and have a salad”. Assigning morality to ourselves based on the perceived value of our food choices is crazy making. But, jennifer, I bet you do it.
Intentional Eating is about self-compassion, not self-judgement. It’s about being ultra-laser-focused on what you need and filling that need without guilt or shame.
You can live without beating up on yourself, and food is the most fundamental way to practice that.
Here’s a story that might make you really uncomfortable. A woman ate trashy fast food. And was she was okay. She got really honest and clear about what she needed, owned it, and took care of herself. I’ll let her tell you:
“I grew up eating fast food – sometimes for a quick meal, sometimes for a fun treat, occasionally as a reward for doing well in school or sports. No one ever shamed me for eating burgers and fries as a kid. It wasn’t until I was a young adult I was told that fast food is horrible for you, is cheap and ultra-processed, fattening and addictive. As an adult, I have well grooved rules about not eating fast food.
“One night I worked late and had to drive way, way outside the Beltway to drop off a proposal. I hadn’t had anything to eat since noon. It was going to be at least another hour and a half until I got home, and I was starving.
”A highway sign said that there was a fast food restaurant at the next exit, and I went into a spiral of mental gymnastics. I was crazy-in-the-head hungry, but the idea of getting fast food seemed like a slip into bad behavior with reprehensible consequences. It would open the flood gates to years of eating junk and I’d get fat. The guilt would crush me. On top of that, I had a fridge full of Whole Foods and Mom’s at home, what a waste it would be if I ate something now!
“But then I took a deep breath and got real about what I needed. Here’s what I thought: My number one need right now is food. There is food available at the next exit. It might not be nutrient dense, but it will fill my belly and ensure I won’t be a complete b***ch – and mindlessly overeat – when I get home.
“I took that moment and made an honest assessment of what I needed, then, in a brilliant act of being true to myself, I pulled over for a burger and fries. It was not the end of the world. In fact, it was a solid experience in being able to truly take care of myself, no matter what. I knew what was best for me, and like I’ve been learning, I made an Intentional choice. And I was more than okay with it. And it felt great!”
Wow. Powerful stuff! In my work, I hear stories like this often. Women who have learned to make Intentional choices about their food, women who unapologetically take care of themselves. They feel empowered, strong, confident, and comfortable in their lives. And it all started with changing the way they eat. How cool is that?
If you’re stuck in a cycle of mindless eating and want to break free from that and move into feeling empowered and strong in your own life, I invite you to join me and your like-minded peers for a GROUP WORKSHOP SERIES on Intentional Eating. We start Tuesday, March 1, and we’ll meet for six consecutive weeks on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm via Zoom. The cost is $525. Get more info on my website or jump right in and Register Here.
You’ll learn how to:
- Honor your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues
- Enjoy ALL foods
- Choose the foods that are right for you
- Appreciate and have gratitude for your body
- Become aware about what you truly want and need in a holistic way
- Practice sustainable self care and eating habits that will last a lifetime
As a result, you’ll know a new freedom and a new happiness. You’ll have the confidence and self-compassion to feel great about yourself, no matter what. AND you’ll be able to nourish and nurture yourself on the deepest levels. Now tell me, jennifer, doesn’t that sound fantastic?
We start Tuesday, March 1, and we’ll meet for six consecutive weeks on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm via Zoom. The cost is $525. Register Here.
Warmly,
Jennifer
(no obligation, and your data is safe with me)
Hi! I’m Jennifer. I help women who struggle with mindless overeating learn new skills and a new approach to food so that they can feel confident about themselves and all their food choices, all the time. I believe you can move away from rigid restriction and trust yourself around food, and I’d love to teach you how. You can look forward to being free of the guilt and shame that comes from the chronic obsession with dieting. I invite you to a Free Consultation. The sooner the better. If you’re ready to feel confident and in charge of your life, now is the time. Your friend, Jennifer
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