3 Ways to Free Yourself from the Diet Mentality

Hello dear Intuitive Eaters…..
 
As part of the process of transforming into an Intuitive Eater, let’s look at one of the key principles: Reject the Diet Mentality. In order to be in touch with your own intuitive guidance around food and nutrition, it is necessary to make room by releasing yourself from all the external, conflicting, fear-inducing, self-hatred supporting rules that are part of the culture we live in. ​

Here are 3 habits of mind that will help you start to find your freedom.

1.  When you are choosing what to eat, notice the thoughts “Should I?  How many carbs does it have?  What have I eaten today?  Do I deserve this? Or similar, as they come up in your mind.  Go here instead: Check in with yourself to find out:  Am I hungry?  How hungry am I? What food would taste best right now?  What would happen if I ate it slowly with enjoyment?  If I’m not really hungry, what is it that I am looking for?
2. When you find yourself in despair over your weight and looking at ads for diets, pills and supplements as a remedy, step back from the fear in your mind. Ask yourself, and answer honestly:  What has happened when I’ve been on diets before?  If I lost weight, how long did the weight stay off? What happened last time I took supplements or diet pills?  Did I end up with a peaceful and empowering relationship with food?  Or did it add to my sense of fear and confusion?  Ask yourself if you might rather find a path that will allow you to heal your relationship with food and your body permanently.
3. Discontinue your practice of participating in conversations around good foods, bad foods, how fat you are (or someone else is), how much weight you’ve lost (or someone else has).  What you can’t fit into anymore, or what you can fit into now that you couldn’t before.  How big your thighs are….you get the picture.  If this conversation is happening around you, remind yourself quietly in your mind that you are exploring a new way of being with food.  That you are beginning to nourish a relationship that will empower and delight you and that it feels better to focus on that than old ways of talking about yourself.

 
Take these 3 steps and practice one at a time, slowly and consistently.  See how you like it!
 
Love to you,
Dawn