So just how do you bring yourself back to the present when you are in that totally “out of control” state? The only way to do it is to be completely conscious or aware whenever you are eating. Often we just go off onto autopilot and we don’t even know we’re binging. I know people who have gone to get another biscuit from the plate only to discover to their horror that they have actually eaten them all, and they can’t even remember doing it!
The third principle of “Natural Eating” is “To stop when we are satisfied, but not over-full”. We can only do that if we are listening to our body so we can hear when it is telling us to stop. Again if you follow the first two principles then the third one just flows naturally after them. For example if you “Eat when you are hungry” (principle number 1) and “Eat what you want”, (principle number 2) then you are more likely to be able to notice when you are satisfied and stop at that time. However if you wait until you are over-hungry to eat, you’re likely to make inappropriate choices and then over-eat. You will never be truly satisfied because you didn’t eat what you wanted to in the first place.
A way to give yourself the chance to stop before you get over-full is to only serve up a small portion of food to start with. While you are eating, keep asking yourself, “Have I had enough?” Then you can stop if you have. However if you serve yourself up a large serving, you are likely to eat everything on your plate simply because it is there or it is a “waste” to leave it or throw it out. When you have finished eating, put away any left overs so it is not tempting to continue picking. Then tell yourself it is OK to eat again when you get hungry.
Many of us have simply got into the habit of eating large meals because we always have. But once we actually start listening to our bodies we tend to find we are satisfied with a much smaller portion. Because we are eating less at each sitting, we then begin to eat more frequently i.e. snacks in between our main meals. In this way we don’t get over hungry which ensures we don’t go off on a frantic binge.
If you are truly listening to your body, you will be hungry more often, satisfied more easily and be able to stop because you are giving yourself permission to eat later when you are actually hungry again.
I am a Natural Eating Consultant, wife and mother who has recovered from 6 years of depression, a side effect of which was bulimia. I used to binge on food uncontrollably and then exercise excessively to get rid of it. In my mid thirties I was introduced to Natural Eating which together with personal development, allowed me to learn to love and trust myself enough to make a full recovery. My weight settled at 49 kilos in 1998 and has remained at this level for over a decade. Previously, I’d had weight and food related issues for over 20 years. I have now written an e-book entitled “Empower yourself by eating what you want – how to lose weight naturally without dieting.” For a FREE copy please click the following link http://www.weightlossandpersonalgrowth.com/Home.html
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