I know with this "program" you should not be obsessing about food. But I can't seem to stop. All I think about is food. What I plan to eat next time I am hungry. How much longer before I can eat again.
I just can't seem to stop.

This thing takes time. You have to be patient. Some days I am really hungry and other days not so much and I still can't figure out why. You'll get there. Just keep at it. Read a lot and get busy with other things.

Two things in there I think are key, because they're not part of IE:

By definition, in IE, you eat what you feel like when you're hungry. It's not about planning ahead and sticking to a plan.

By definition, in IE, you can eat again when you're hungry. There's no waiting until it's "allowed."

Have you read the book? It might help you a lot to understand better and be less frustrated. It sounds like you're weighed down by the very attitudes IE is designed to free you from.

Thanks for the suggestion. IE is also on CD if you have a commute.

Another quote from the IE book that made me think.

There will be times when you don't have the option of getting exactly what you want. You might be served a meal at a friend's house or relatives house that has little to say for it.........It's only one meal- you will survive. It's how you jump back into taking care of yourself afterward that makes the difference.

Great quotes from IE = Thanks! It really makes you think next time you go to eat!

Hi everyone!

Not hiding, just busy, but wanted to pop in to welcome all the new "faces" and let y'all know I'm still here.

I'm realizing more and more that I am still plagued by diet mentality. I keep finding myself thinking "I'll get back to eating this way tomorrow" because I know today I want to eat. I also still find myself feeling like I've blown it if I eat something when I'm not hungry, which seems to be my biggest problem. If I could just stop eating when I'm not hungry I think I'd be OK with IE.

The good news is ... I don't binge any more. I hadn't realized that until just the other day. I couldn't tell you the last time I sat down and had an all-out binge. I guess that counts as improvement. Maybe since I have been satisfying the urge to eat I have overcome the backlash of binging. At least I hope this is so.

Regarding obsessing about the food, one thing I have found (quite by accident, I think) is that by allowing myself to eat whatever I want, whenever I want (even when I'm not physically hungry) has allowed me to break free from obsessive thoughts about food. When I was dieting I was trying to get in all my food groups and eat "healthy." Now I'm definitely not obsessing about it but I find rather that I am craving "healthy" stuff - mostly stuff I've been avoiding, veggies and fruit and even meats. I've been eating lots of carbs and convenient pre-packaged junk and I am literally starving for a good home-cooked meal of fresh foods. Guess it's my body letting me know it's time to mix it up a little. You can only eat so many cup-o-noodles, ya know? LOL! But anyhow, I think freedom from obsession will come with time and a deliberate rejection of rules to follow.

But as for me, I'm still not sure where to go from here with the eating. I keep feeling like I need to do something or else I feel like I'm not doing anything to make the weight come off. I definitely want to make better food choices because eating lousy makes me feel lousy but I don't want to become obsessed again. Just go with the flow I guess. But I am thinking about reintroducing exercise. I've been sitting in front of this computer way too much lately and am ready to get up and get moving. Guess it's just like with the food, the body is crying out for variety!

I'm so thrilled to hear that people are finding success and freedom with IE. That's wonderful! And JamieJo, good to see you! I was wondering if you were still IEing.

I still haven't dug out my book to finish reading it. Must put that on my to-do list and actually do it! haha! I need to get motivated again to stick with this and stop being lazy about it.

Well enough about me already! (Some people just don't know when to stop!) lol

How is everyone?

Have a great one!

Oh wow! I just had to post again! I just had one of those "AH-HA!" moments!

After leaving 3FC earlier I went to the "through thick and thin" web site to do a little reading. While there I read a wonderful thread that addresses the very situation I find myself in right now. Here's a link there: http://throughthickandthin.myfreefor...58-0-asc-0.php

After reading this thread I realized that I had not yet given myself full permission to eat unconditionally. Oh I thought I had ... after all I was eating whatever I want whenever I want with no restrictions, BUT deep down inside I did still have restrictions. I have candy in the house and stuff that I had denied myself in the past but when I would eat it I would later feel guilty for having done so. Why? Because I hadn't given myself UNCONDITIONAL permission. It has been so pounded in my head that if I eat like that too often that I will be fat that subconsciously I was not really allowing myself to eat it and enjoy it. Don't know if that makes sense but I'm just starting to realize that I do that with lots of food that has been banned or restricted.

Suddenly I can see the path to freedom but fear what will happen if I do take that path. I've already gained a little weight since Thanksgiving and I'm afraid if I don't control the food I'll lose control and gain even more weight. Just the anxiety of gaining more weight sends me into diet mode. Ugh! That's why I feel like I need to do something. But as long as I keep thinking I'll get my eating in control tomorrow, tomorrow comes and it never happens and so I have just one more day to eat like it's my last. Hmmm. I see why the weight has been creeping up. I've been "Last Suppering" because I've not given myself total permission to eat even tho I thought I had. Wow!

It's amazing how just reading that one thread has helped this come into focus a little better for me. Now, I just have to hold tight to this revelation and let go of the rest!

OK, I just had to share that! And thanks again Shay for sharing that site with us. Lots of good conversation there!

My son has our computer right now so I'm at my daughters. I don't have my IE book and I have marked a lot of places that I want to post. I've finally finished it again and wonder if I ever read that particular edition. I found it very interesting. It will be a good reference book.

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been here much lately. Lots going on and I need to read to do some catching up as I see we have so Newbies. Having trouble with my laptop getting on the enternet for some reason. DH trying to fix it. So I don't get by here as much as I did.

Blue Serenity - I am experiencing some of the same things you are experiencing. I seem to constantly be fighting the "diet" mentality. I am really hungry for healthy foods right now, but find that I can be obsessive about that to the point that I feel guilty if I eat something that is more on the "junk" food types. I had been reading the book, but got side tracked with something else and need to get back to it. That website helped me a lot to, but haven't been able to go there since I can't get on line with my laptop. I'll be glad with it working again. I hope DH will have me back on line with it in a few days.

Carolr - When I started reading the book again, it was like I had never read some parts of it. I think it is one of those things where you get what you need for the moment.

Hope everyone is doing good. I'll get back here when I can.

Has anyone read Beyond Chocolate? It is a British book and still pretty expensive for a paperback. I was just wondering if it is really a great book. Thanks.

Congrats on your weight loss, Liliann. How long have you been doing IE? I am thinking about buying the book. I seen him on his show that came on TLC and it was great!!!!!! I went to his website and there are alot of people doing his diet or shall I say his lifetime eating way. Give me any kind of pointers cuz I can sure use them right now.

Hi everyone. I'm new here and I am interested in IE eating. I saw his shows. So, I know a lil about his technique. He was on the mandjshow recently and had a woman with him that lost alot of weight doing his diet. Well, not really a diet. If anyone has some insight that will help me or any pointers about this technique, help me out.

Hi Destiny

What technique are you talking about and who is "he"? The book "Intuitive Eating" is by two women. I don't think that means they have a patent on the phrase, though . But still, I'm not sure what you're referring to.

Hi Everyone,

DH got a new router and I am able to be back on line. There are a lot of newbies here so let me start by saying we are glad you are here and look forward to getting to know y'all.

Carolr - How are you feeling?

I had one of those days today where I ate a lot. I've got to get back to drinking my water instead of so much green tea. I think my hunger was really thirst. I ate a lot of fiber and now I feel absolutely miserable. You know what I realized? Feeling so full from eating so much fiber which I don't like, also sets me up to feel like I have to start a diet tomorrow. "Diet" mentality shows up. Ineresting.

Have a great day.