Get Started on Your Intuitive Eating Journey
📍Identify Your Starting Point
With any journey, it’s important to understand where you are starting from. Being aware of your “Point A” will help you more clearly define where you are headed and why.
A well-defined starting point also helps you to celebrate along the way, as you take steps (both big and small) towards your goals of food freedom and better body image! 🎉
Consider your current relationship with food and body. Ask yourself the following questions:
What is my level of contentment and/or stress around food and my body?
What patterns or habits am I most proud of and what do I want to be intentional about changing? (Think about how you eat, move, think and speak of yourself/food/your own body/other people’s bodies, etc.)
a -What distractions or stumbling blocks should I be aware of? What people, diet culture messages, mindset(s) and/or opportunities are vying for my attention and could keep me from getting started or progressing on this journey?
b- How might I need to be intentional about separating from certain hindrances?
Consider Your Life Without Dieting…
If you have a personal history of dieting and/or following “food rules,” (i.e. low carb, high fat, calorie restriction, zero desserts, etc.) you can probably relate to an “All or Nothing” mindset –
Strictly dieting 🙅♀️ vs. Not thinking much at all about what you feed yourself 🍕🍫🍩🍦
Meal prepping every Sunday 🍚 vs. Eating out at restaurants almost daily 🍔
Feeling highly disciplined/accomplished 🙌 vs. Feeling guilty, disappointed, or like you deserve punishment
Working out really hard all the time 😅 vs. feeling stuck in inactivity or sedentary habits 🤳
Now, I want you to imagine life WITHOUT the extreme pendulum swing(s) that dieting brings! What would balance look and feel like in your life right now?
Imagine walking out consistent healthy habits without feelings of restriction. Imagine being able to eat foods for enjoyment without guilt or feeling out of control.
How FREEING would it be to have the knowledge of what your body needs nutritionally to thrive AND the genuine sense of self-care to want to meet those needs regularly. How ENCOURAGING would it be to view food/movement as a form of nurturing yourself versus beating yourself up?
What would a healthy relationship with food & body unlock for you? …
Define Your “Why.”
When embarking on change, it’s vital to take the time to identify a deep seated motivation. What’s propelling you in this new direction?…
You’ve acknowledged that swinging between extremes, like a pendulum, is not helpful for establishing sustainable healthy habits. You’re ready to carry out lasting transformation into this next season of your life...
Maybe you have hopes of growing your family, and want to prepare your body for the vast changes that come with a pregnancy/postpartum period.🤰 Or you are already a parent and would like to change the narrative around food/body in your household.
Perhaps you have a career goal that requires more energy, focus, and stamina and you know you’re the person for the job. 💪 …Or maybe you feel a deep sense of lack or like you’ve been “settling” when it comes to your overall approach to life and you don’t want to feel that restraint any longer. 🙌
Whatever your future holds, it is POSSIBLE to move away from extremes and find that sense of healthy balance you can rely on throughout life.
Start by asking yourself, “Why is this important to me?” Ask it again and again until you get down to the good stuff. ☺️
Pick Your Team.
An old African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I love this message and I believe it resonates with us because we are created for community. We thrive together!
If you’re ready to embark on a journey of change with food and body, know you don’t have to go alone! Working with an Intuitive Eating Registered Dietitian is one way to help you find food freedom and avoid the pitfalls of diet culture along the way.
I invite you to discover a more balanced intentional approach to food & body this summer in my 12-week group program, “Able Together.”
Space is limited. Please click the link below to apply today. 👇
It’s my joy to support you! ♡
Grace Lopez, RD, LD/N, CLC, CPT
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist