This content is for informational and educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
The diet mentality can become tiring at some point, and it’s not usually something you can maintain in the long run. That is why you need to transition from dieting to intuitive eating for long-term maintenance.
But why, though? You might be asking.
Dieting isn’t some horrible thing, but it can be quite restrictive, especially certain types of diets.
There’s a focus on severely cutting out calories, which can lead to weight loss, but at what cost? It can lead to a person developing excess hunger, feelings of deprivation, and restriction.
They just cut, cut, and CUT calories.
Or the low-carb, low-fat diet fans. Such dieting plans may lead to nutrient deficiencies and eating in a disordered way.
Whereas eating to be alive and well doesn’t have to look like that.
📋 Table of Contents
What is intuitive eating?
Intuitive eating is simply a way of eating food by listening to when your body is really hungry and full.
It’s basically an approach to food that is big on you listening to your body’s signs of hunger and fullness.
And not following some external rule or restrictions.
It is a way of developing a healthy relationship with food and your body image as well. Where you trust that you’ll make good food choices that will nourish you, and keep you full.
It’s a way of reducing all this unnecessary drama and stress with food and simply just eating well, drinking your water, and living your life.
And to be honest with you? It’s much more sustainable to do for maintenance than continuing to “diet and diet”.
The benefits of intuitive eating include:
- Having no stress and reducing your anxiety around food
- You are developing a better and healthier view of your body and improving your self-esteem
- Being more satisfied and enjoying your food more
- Improving your health in general
Shifting From Dieting to Intuitive Eating (how to go about it)
Say a sweet goodbye to the diet mentality
You need to realize and accept that these diets may not work in the long run, and that it is time to go on a different path.
You’re going to say goodbye from your heart and mind, and if possible, verbally.
Yes, say “dieting, it’s time to say goodbye, we can no longer be together or live together.”
You’ve got to do what is best for you.
Remove everything that is linked to it
Every journal, note, kitchen poster, food list, apps on your phone, or written notes that involve the dieting era, take them out.
You and dieting are practically breaking up, so all things have passed away and all things have become new.
They need to go.
It’s time for new routines, shopping lists, apps, journals, and so on.
Start practicing mindful eating habits
Shifting from dieting to intuitive eating involves starting to practice mindful eating habits. Which is by:
- paying attention to signs of hunger and fullness
- eating your food slowly and savoring every taste
They are very important.
When you develop mindful eating habits, all those eating randomly or “just because” will eventually go away.
Enjoy food please
Allow yourself to enjoy all foods, without feeling guilty or restricting yourself.
Permit yourself because it is OKAY
A few slices of pizza and a small cup of ice cream are not the end of the world.
Start being kind to yourself
Why not?
When has being mean, judging, or criticizing yourself ever helped?
There’s nothing to gain in being this way.
Please treat yourself well, and just care for YOU.
If you’re always judging yourself so much when it comes to food, it will not be easy to shift from dieting to intuitive eating to maintain your health goals.
Nourish your body, forget the numbers
Eat to nourish your body and stop focusing on weight loss or specific numbers you see on the scale.
You only have one body, eat to give it important nutrients, and not because of what you want to see on the scale.
Shifting From Dieting to Intuitive Eating (the shift itself)
To transition from dieting to intuitive eating, there are some things you need to consider.
Firstly, start including one or two principles of intuitive eating into your daily life, and little by little, go from there. If you just think you’ll suddenly be able to start doing all of them, you’re wrong. It’s best to start small and not rush it.
This wasn’t your way of life, so be ready to learn it day by day.
Also, it’s important for you to be patient, because intuitive eating is a process, and it may take you some time to adapt to these new habits and trust your body.
So, when you start practicing the small things, be patient and keep going. Even if you make mistakes along the way, know that it is a journey, and it’s okay if some errors happen.
Lastly, you can do it. Just trust the process.
