What if we were all to give up dieting and return to a “normal” way of eating? For us chronic dieters, would we even know what is normal? Not if our “normal” is feeling stuffed after eating, not if our normal is gluttony, and not if our normal is highly processed foods because when compared to the rich cultures that have been established for thousands, or at least hundreds of years, these habits are indeed quite abnormal. If that is so, one must change to establish a new norm. The only problem with that is change is tough and when feeling apathetic, who really wants to put the effort in to change.
I propose a rebellion against dieting. Forget counting calories, or grams of fat, or carbohydrates. Forget weighing and measuring. Forget buying “lite” bread, low carb cereals, and protein powders. But along with this rebellion against destroying the art of food (as I see it) I propose an old way of eating. Let’s start remembering what fine dining means. What it means to savor and not feel guilty. What it means to make conscious choices of food that will both satisfy our palates and highly nourish our bodies. We have advanced so much in our research of nutrients, yet seem to have moved so far from knowing how to truly take care of ourselves.
To begin this new journey, let’s start by making conscious choices. We can choose to speak, move our limbs, breath more deeply or less deeply. If that is the case, then we can choose to eat or not to eat. If we are driven by something else to eat—what we know we shouldn’t—then who is it that drives that choice? It is some impulse, a desire, an attachment, a craving, but certainly not us. Let us make a conscious choice to eat—be it a piece of chocolate or a strawberry.
Obviously, if we choose to eat every time we have a craving or a desire to, we may end up gaining weight, or at the very least, not losing weight. There is nothing wrong with deciding to lose weight if you are over weight. Actually, studies show that people who are thin live longer, and often have healthier hearts and bodies. Plus, when you are on the thinner side, you may find that you move more efficiently, have fewer aches and pains, and have more energy (assuming you are eating well).
So, in order to return to “normal” eating, you must know when you are hungry and when you are not. If you did not learn how to spot the signals when you were younger, or if you have forgotten, then you must relearn them. Hunger has physical ramifications on the body. When hungry, you may begin to feel a little rumbling in your tummy. As time goes on, that rumbling signal will get stronger and you will begin to feel lethargic, spaced out, perhaps grumpy, and perhaps nauseous. It is not necessary to eat the moment one feels a bit of grumbling in the belly because hunger signals pass through the body all day long. They come and go. Fatigue is similar. It is normal to feel a bit tired throughout the day for short bouts of time. This does not mean we need a nap every time we feel a little tired. It is simply a momentary experience.
However, if you do not feed yourself when you get quite hungry, than you may find yourself feeling ravenous and ready to eat a ten-course meal. So, understanding the varying pangs of hunger is very important for your process of normalizing your eating habits.
Finally, when you do eat, take time to enjoy it. Notice what your food smells like, notice the textures of your food as you chew it, and notice the different tastes that pop up as you eat it. Sit to eat. Take your time. Enjoy as you eat. Pay attention to your feeling of fullness as you eat. Stop when you are satisfied, not full.
