What's Intuitive Eating Like?
For 3 Weeks, I Gave Up Intermittent Fasting For Intuitive Eating and Here's Why I Hated It
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I know I committed to this experiment for four weeks, but for my physical and emotional health, I had to go back to intermittent fasting. I was worried that another week of trying intuitive eating would make it impossible to gain the control over the unhealthy eating habits that I worked so hard to get over the past few years.
Intuitive eating does make so much sense. Eat when you're hungry, eat the foods you love, stop when you're full, and that's it. Seems so simple and easy, but for someone like me with a history of weight issues and binge-eating, I needed some parameters. The restrictions that define intermittent fasting actually make me feel both freedom and control, if that makes sense.
Not thinking about food all day long, not having to make decisions about what to eat — and how much — from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed is refreshing. That's because I'm just not able to self-regulate for that long. I like knowing I'm only eating from 12:00/1:00 to 6:00/7:00 — it works for me. This six-to-seven hour eating window doesn't feel strict to me at all, because that's what makes me feel my best and allows me to have energy to work out.
Through this short three-week experiment, I realised that I could probably mesh the two philosophies. I was already doing that by incorporating a "cheat day" on Saturdays where I eat whatever I want, whenever I want. But maybe I could add in another day like that if I feel inspired.
And I could also incorporate a couple more treats throughout the week, and just be really mindful about enjoying one and stopping when I'm full. I could still enjoy my lunchtime tofu and kale salad, but I could also have homemade pizza when I feel the urge.
As Kerry said, this is definitely a journey, and I'm excited to see what happens in the next few months as I incorporate intuitive eating into my intermittent fasting routine.