Eating mindfully

EEpling89

Has anyone had success with practicing mindful eating? Basically, just eating absolutely whatever your body is craving when you're truly physically hungry, eating extremely slow and savoring each bite, chewing completely, eating in a quiet room without distractions, and stopping when your body is full. I've had a lot of success with it in the past. I feel like deprivation for me personally is not the way to go and when I total up everything at the end up the day (after I'm SURE I'm done eating for the day), nine times out of ten, I'm under my calorie goal. But if I were to track throughout the day, I end up either thinking, "I have 200 more calories! Dessert time!" or "I don't have any more calories. OMG SO HUNGRY!" If I don't keep track until I'm done, I usually end up right where I need to be.
The best part of this is remembering what you truly enjoy eating! I haven't always been overweight and the things I choose to eat now are the things I only ever ate when I was thinner but gave up as I got heavier because I thought I "didn't deserve" them. That should tell me something, right? Also, when I ask myself, "what am I truly hungry for?", the more in tune I get with my body, the less it's something like chocolate cake or a cheeseburger and the more it tends to be foods on the healthier side. When you make all foods absolutely equal in your mind (nothing about moderation and whatnot, ONLY what YOUR body truly needs) and nothing is off-limits, the junk foods lose a lot of their appeal.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has had success with eating mindfully and if so, any tips to share? Thanks!

Lyra89

I think that if everyone did this, everyone would be slim, however it isn't practical to do all the time. I say just incorporate mindful eating into your life without stressing over it. I always try to savor my food and listen to my body...I haven't been tracking calories for months since I reached my goal weight! I gained over Christmas but I'm already back down a few pounds and now weigh only two or three pounds over goal. I just want to eat intuitively and the only way that can happen is for me to practice it!

icmuse

Mindful eating / living is my ultimate goal in life.
It is easier for me when I meditate and visualize every day, but when life gets hectic, it gets harder to listen to my body.

envy09

How does your body know what you need nutritionally? Does it have a mind of its own?

pkw58

Mindful eating / living is my ultimate goal in life.
It is easier for me when I meditate and visualize every day, but when life gets hectic, it gets harder to listen to my body.

I think I have moved from mindful to purpose - flu... maybe a combination. I noticed in the last few weeks when I incorporated more "fun" than "functional foods" my body didn't react well. Now I am back to eating more foods that are purposeful for my goals. Sure, cake is fun to eat, but not really as purposeful as an apple or greek yogurt. And I know myself - I will be logging on MFP as long as they let me!

EEpling89

How does your body know what you need nutritionally? Does it have a mind of its own?

In my opinion, your body tells your mind what it needs if you are really in tune. No one person (barring those with serious eating disorders) is going to be able to deprive his or her self of any specific nutritional need. This is why people go on uncontrollable binges and they can't figure out why. If you just listen to your internal cues and allow yourself what your body is asking for (in a healthy, controlled way) then you can skip all the binging and self-loathing and get right on to a healthier life and frame of mind.

Obviously, no one has all the right answers. I just wanted to share what has been working for me and possibly connect with others who felt the same way. If something different works for you, great.

bearkisses

How does your body know what you need nutritionally? Does it have a mind of its own?

no, that is why it is called mindful eating.....you use your MIND to question whether or not you are truly hungry, to be aware of your choices, to understand what your body needs, etc.

mindfulness has been practiced for years, and is deep rooted in buddhism (and probably beyond), and works for many people. there is no harm in discussing whether or not anyone feels that they are at a place where they are making mindful decisions when it comes to feeding their body.

envy09

How does your body know what you need nutritionally? Does it have a mind of its own?

In my opinion, your body tells your mind what it needs if you are really in tune.

The idea that what you are hungry for = what your body needs has been disproved by science. I agree that we should only eat when we are truly hungry, as opposed to boredom, stress, cravings, etc. However, the idea that your body somehow magically knows what it needs is false.

Source:

http://www.pbrc.edu/ottc/technologies/FCI - ARTCLE 1.pdf

http://ucdirc.ucdavis.edu/people/papers/pelchat_johnson_etal_NI2004.pdf

http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/seminar/2009-spring/Slides/Pelchat.pdf

EEpling89

How does your body know what you need nutritionally? Does it have a mind of its own?

In my opinion, your body tells your mind what it needs if you are really in tune.

The idea that what you are hungry for = what your body needs has been disproved by science. I agree that we should only eat when we are truly hungry, as opposed to boredom, stress, cravings, etc. However, the idea that your body somehow magically knows what it needs is false.

Source:

http://www.pbrc.edu/ottc/technologies/FCI - ARTCLE 1.pdf

http://ucdirc.ucdavis.edu/people/papers/pelchat_johnson_etal_NI2004.pdf

http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/seminar/2009-spring/Slides/Pelchat.pdf

I didn't ask for opinions on what works for me. I asked if anyone else had had success with it. I'm sorry you disagree with me and again, I commend you on finding something that works for you.

envy09

How does your body know what you need nutritionally? Does it have a mind of its own?

In my opinion, your body tells your mind what it needs if you are really in tune.

The idea that what you are hungry for = what your body needs has been disproved by science. I agree that we should only eat when we are truly hungry, as opposed to boredom, stress, cravings, etc. However, the idea that your body somehow magically knows what it needs is false.

Source:

http://www.pbrc.edu/ottc/technologies/FCI - ARTCLE 1.pdf

http://ucdirc.ucdavis.edu/people/papers/pelchat_johnson_etal_NI2004.pdf

http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/seminar/2009-spring/Slides/Pelchat.pdf

I didn't ask for opinions on what works for me. I asked if anyone else had had success with it. I'm sorry you disagree with me and again, I commend you on finding something that works for you.

I'm really sorry to have to say this (you're so nice), but it's not about disagreement, it's about science.