I've decided to share my experience with intuitive eating, and I'm glad I did.
I'm not a fan of diets, and this type of eating is probably the only one that works for me.
Although there was a time when I loved starving myself, I only drank water.
Back in my college days, around 19-22, I decided to fast a lot and sometimes only drank water. I'd eat dry chicken or a piece of fruit, but mostly just water for days on end. If I did eat something, it would give me the runs, and I'd pass out from exhaustion. One time, I fell so hard that I needed stitches on my face!
At that time, Kate Moss was all the rage, and the whole anorexic look was in. I was right in the middle of it.
Why? It was a mix of the influence of the time and some issues in my head.
Now, I eat what I want, when I want, and I genuinely enjoy my food.
Intuitive eating
Intuitive eatingI've got a great metabolism, and I'm actually regretful that I wasted time on diets and fasting during my college years.
In my childhood, I was really skinny and bony, and I ate what I wanted. Why did I decide to lose weight at 19? I'm not even sure – maybe it was the influence of the time or some issues in my head, but I don't want to get into that here.
I'm already over 35, and my body still looks like it did in my teenage years – my breasts never developed, and I've got pretty teenage-like body shapes.
I've always wanted a curvy figure, but now I'm happy with my smaller size.
Looking back, I'm glad I don't have to worry about it. Exercise helped me get a bit of a booty, even though it's been a while since I've been active, and sitting around has added a bit of extra padding, but my small bust makes my body look slimmer overall.
I know I could try to get in shape, but honestly, I don't feel like putting in the effort. And besides, starving myself again is not an option. Although, I could do without the extra layer of fat around my stomach!
Of course, my height, weight, and body shape are pretty average, but there is one thing to keep in mind: dieting can mess with your metabolism and body shape. You might end up storing fat around your midsection and sides.
I'm not a fan of sports, there was a time when I got caught up in the fitness craze and went to the gym and lifted weights for years just to gain weight!! But I got tired of it because I was gaining weight so slowly, and I was eating way too much due to my metabolism. I was putting in a lot of effort for something that just wasn't happening. It's been over five years since I last exercised.
I just live life, enjoy every day, and appreciate the people and things around me, and I try to appreciate myself, too. I aim to follow a simple philosophy and just be happy with who I am.
Intuitive eatingRoughly 5'7" tall and 114 lbsJust a regular guy, not too big or too small
For me, intuitive eating is all about eating what I want, when I want it, but still being mindful of my portions.I keep coming back to intuitive eating because it's like a diet without the diet – it's just a way of life!
I have to admit, there are a lot of foods that I just don't like and the thought of eating them makes me queasy!This includes:
Things like mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, and boiled potatoes – yeah, I'm not a fan of potatoes!
I'm also not a fan of greasy, fatty foods like fried sausages with oily sauces, stuffed peppers with fillers and oily sauces, and dumplings.
I even get grossed out by things like bacon, aspic, and sausages with white fat, although I do enjoy boiled sausages and ham.
If I do eat 'greasy' foods, it's usually something like Papa John's pizza or a delivery-style pasta dish with cheese, or some chicken nuggets.
I have to admit, I prefer indulging in treats, but I'm not talking about going overboard every week.I'm not saying I eat fried chicken and pizza every day, but if I do treat myself, I don't hold back.For me, it's all about balance – I can easily devour a whole chocolate bar or a few slices of cake and pizza in one sitting. But that's just my thing.
Intuitive eating
What's most important is surrounding yourself with people who understand and support you, especially your closest loved ones.
My partner, for instance, never tells me I've gained weight, even if I can see it myself. And honestly, he's still smitten with my figure, even if it's not exactly athletic.
My partner and I are on the same page when it comes to food, so we can easily have a late-night pizza party and indulge in fried chicken.
Intuitive eatingI weigh around 52kg, give or take a kilogram or two.
I rarely get down to 47-48kg, but that's usually when I'm drinking more water, eating less, or under a lot of stress...
When I was really restricting my diet, I'd weigh as little as 42-44kg, but that was just skin and bones.
My weight's been fluctuating lately, and that's totally normal.
It's not just about the numbers and weight, either – the proportions of my body, especially my legs to torso, are also important.
Intuitive eating
They say that after 30, metabolism slows down, and you start overeating, indulging in sweets at night, and all that. Yeah, I've noticed that a bit, but not too much.
Pretty much, I'm sticking to intuitive eating, and why not? I'm not exactly getting older anytime soon, and by the time I'm 40, I figure I'll be old enough to indulge and treat myself!
Intuitive eating
I let myself eat intuitively and have whatever I want, whenever I want it. But I do have my own limits, even if I did figure them out a bit late. The key is to listen to your body – if I think I can handle a snack before bed, I'll have it; if not, I'll stick to something lighter, like a cup of yogurt or a salad.
I digest dairy really well. I eat and drink all sorts of dairy products – milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, and even kefir with a sprinkle of cinnamon. It doesn't upset my stomach, and I'm not even bothered by chocolate.
I don't restrict myself from coffee!
But if I feel like I need to rein it in a bit, I don't go on a super strict diet. Instead, I just make sure not to overeat at night, skip the sauces and richer, sweeter foods, and opt for something lighter. It's better to trade in a slice of cake for a piece of fish or a glass of kefir, if you ask me.
I'm a huge fan of butter, but I only go for the good stuff. I can eat a small piece without any guilt.
Of course, I'm not going to eat five sandwiches in one sitting and then devour a pizza - that's just not balanced.
Intuitive eating
If I know I need to 'cleanse' and slow down, I'll have a cup of kefir in the evening, ditch the chocolate for a bit, or at least, I don't go hungry!
I substitute one thing for another, but I still get a satisfying breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with veggies, meat, fish, cheese, and making sure my carbs are slow-releasing.
You can always find a tasty alternative to the bad stuff!
It's all about understanding what you want and what your body needs.
When you eat intuitively and with understanding, there's no guilt over sweets or unhealthy foods.
Intuitive eating
My husband and I recently adopted this system, since we don't cook at home often and love ordering in or eating out, we prioritize cooking at home with grains and simple, easy meals.
I've found myself still craving treats or ordering pizza rolls on a whim. We've stopped cooking pasta from scratch, prioritizing grains, veggies, and fruits, but we still make time for sweet treats when we want to indulge.
The key takeaway is that a fast metabolism and not restricting yourself is crucial.
If you're constantly on diets, you'll inevitably experience setbacks and a rapid weight gain.
Dieting can actually do more harm than good, and you'll end up stuck in a vicious cycle.
Intuitive eating
I've noticed that my body now reacts differently to fasting. I think it's just a natural part of aging, but when I decide to skip a meal, I can see the fat reserves around my lower belly, even if it's not a full-blown bulge. It's like my body is storing fat reserves, and it's easy to get rid of them – I just need to avoid eating before bed for a few days and opt for lighter snacks or a cup of yogurt if I get hungry at night. Just remember, don't starve yourself!
Before - After:
There are photos from different years in this review, including one from over 5 years ago, and the one from the Maldives is from this spring/summer. There's hardly any difference in terms of weight or body shape.
This just goes to show that intuitive eating is better than dieting.
The silhouette in these photos hasn't changed much over the past 5 years.
What's the secret to weight loss?
It's all about individuality and intuition, if you ask me.
My take is this: you don't need to find a specific product to lose weight and stick to it. You just need to eat a bit less and move a bit more.
Evening meals are a good place to start. Instead of reaching for a sweet bun, go for some shrimp, fish, or veggies. And for goodness' sake, ditch the quick carbs for dinner.
I know I don't always follow this rule, but that's the beauty of intuitive eating – it's all about trusting your instincts.
Intuitive eating
I'm also a fan of this idea:
It's all about balance – you can have everything in moderation, as long as you stay within your daily calorie limit. Don't feel like you need to cut out carbs or sweets completely; just swap one for another or reduce your portions.
I'm not a fan of counting calories, though. Intuitive eating is all about listening to your body.
The key is not to overeat too often – and ideally, not at all.
Intuitive eating
Vacation eating is all about freedom – no rules or restrictions here!
I eat just as much as I would at home.
Sweets – if you want them, you should have them!!!
No diets before a vacation to fit into a swimsuit – no way!
I'm not one of those people who orders just a salad when we go to a restaurant or grab a quick bite at a cafe. I like to order a starter, main course, and dessert.
Courtyard Restaurant, Maldives
Take Off Cafe, Turkey
Bar 2000 ellegi, Maldives
As for sports, I haven't quite gotten into it yet. My only exercise is walking. I love taking long, leisurely strolls.
I rarely feel the urge to hit the gym or do some crunches. I even tell my friends, 'I've only sat down 10 times this week!' And that's enough to keep me going for a few weeks. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a lazy athlete.
Intuitive eating
The takeaway for me is that you need to know your limits, not restrict yourself, and not put yourself in a box.
Enjoy your food, but don't make it an obsession.
You can substitute one tasty option for another, less healthy one, but just as delicious! If you're craving a cake, go ahead and indulge in a cake, pizza, and a rich pasta dish with sauce!
Don't forget to stay active, even if it's just by taking a walk.
Essentially, don't be too hard on yourself, don't stress yourself out, and don't deprive yourself of food. You should love and pamper yourself!
I've finally learned to listen to my body and eat intuitively.
No willpower needed, I can eat all I want...
............................................................................................
And here are my reviews of some amazing food:
V.I.V.A Mediterranean restaurant
Platforma, Yekaterinburg - Harry Potter-style food on a train
Makey Kelly summer dress - a simple yet lovely peasant-style top
Dyson Supersonic hair dryer - I've fallen in love with it!
Pinterest