Not my first time

My sister had told me about her friend doing intuitive eating and how it was so good. I tried before, but my doc wanted me to drop a lot of weight as fast as possible, so I started a heavy duty diet. It was making me sick in other ways and my psychologist recommended I try intuitive eating again after my psychiatrist said my depression was mostly under control, other than related to diet/weight loss. She offered me some suggestions and I got on the waiting list for meeting with a nutritionist/psychologist to help with this, but it’s the VA, so the list is months out, the. COVID started, so the meeting is cancelled and the waiting list has been pushed out. I started with intuitive eating again, but I wanted more information so I got this. They talk slower than a turtle stampede through molasses and the “practices” are annoying, but it’s good information, overall. My boyfriend has noticed a real up tick in my mood and better eating habits on my end. It’s not a quick diet/weight loss program or anything, but it’s helping me build better habits around food and enjoyment in food again. I would recommend it if you’re trying to build a healthier relationship with food.

4 people found this helpful

very helpful

Really enjoyed it. Usefull and important information to have a healthier relationship with food. Good narration as well.

4 people found this helpful

Quick, easy read that’s adaptable to every lifestyle

After years of struggling with food and getting to the brink of developing an eating disorder, this book has finally showed me the path of constructing a healthy relationship with food. I listened to it during walks and its only about hours long. Super worth it! Thank you!

2 people found this helpful

Blessing

I loved this step by step approach to let go of diet culture. Thank you.

2 people found this helpful

A Flaw in Their "Science"

What disappointed you about Intuitive Eating?

Lack of science

Has Intuitive Eating turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator was fine.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

Okay, I really WANTED to like this book. A short background on me: I am 38 years old and started struggling with my weight 30 years ago. I went on a Slim Fast diet when I was 8. I definitely have "food issues" and have always struggled with almost constant hunger (some for mental reasons but some are most definitely just physical). In my 20's, I hovered around 220 pounds, once getting as high as 255 and as low as 199. When I became pregnant at 30, I completely lost control of my eating and weighed 299 the day I gave birth. One year later I evened out around 275. At 32 years old, I set out on a mission to conquer my weight once and for all. I dropped from 275 to 145. It's been 6 years since then and I still struggle with my eating but the highest I've ever reached is 180 and I usually hover around 160 and (at over 5'7) I feel pretty comfortable at that weight.

Because I still struggle a little with food, I'm always reading/listening to books like this in an effort to once and for all "cure" myself. I was disappointed to realize that this is the same old tired line about "listening to your body" that I've tried putting into practice from other books such as "Overcoming Overeating".

Here is why this book is flawed and putting this method into practice will make someone like me gain weight:Yes, at one time, we could absolutely listen to our bodies. That time was when we were living in the wilderness trying to survive. Now, things are very different. In addition to our bodies constantly seeking out "energy" in the form of food to avoid starvation (a very real problem until the not so distant past), we also now have foods that are actually created in a lab by scientists for the sole purpose of getting us addicted to their particular product in order to increase their sales. Think about that!! There is a multi-billion dollar industry that invests millions of dollars in advertising and product development. Their sales represent OUR addictions! So here's how intuitive eating can ACTUALLY work:

-Make sure you're always hydrated
-Get enough sleep every night-Deal with emotional problems as they arise and make sure you have good techniques for handling stress
-Avoid any processed foods as these are almost always full of empty calories as well as chemicals engineered to make you HUNGRIER!

And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, educate yourself about food and your body! Seriously! Stop letting others tell you how to eat and how to think. Tune into how food makes you feel after you eat it. Are you hungry 30 minutes later? That probably isn't because, as this book simplistically implies, you just have greater energy needs that day. If you just ate an oatmeal cookie and two servings of chips, you have consumed simple carbs and chemicals that work synergistically to make you more hungry, more quickly. Period. Pay attention to if you get really sleepy after a meal. That probably means you ate too much in general or too much of a certain macronutrient (usually simple carbs).

Bottom line PAY ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING! And remember the only way your body can give you TRUE insight into natural hunger is if you remove physical and emotional triggers.

I am a little annoyed that this book exists and that I wasted money on it but I'm hoping someone reads my review and saves themselves money AND weight gain!P.S. I am now a personal trainer and weight loss coach and I use these methods not only on myself but my clients with amazing results.

98 people found this helpful

Loved the more natural and intuitive perspective

Loved the different perspective offered. I'm a very intuitive person, so this message works for me. I'll find a way of assimilating Intuitive Eating to compliment my Weight Watcher's experience.

4 people found this helpful

Loved these CDs!!

I am working through the intuitive eating material to get my cerfication in Intuitive Eating, these have been very healing for me as I go through my journey, and I know it will be helpful for others as they go through this process.

1 person found this helpful

This is one to revisit many times

I will definitely be revising and listening to this book many times! This book is so helpful with the process of getting back to being an intuitive eater. I love how often the authors remind you to be kind and patient with yourself through the process. It’s important!

1 person found this helpful

Smart Read

Good insight. I have been unable to lose weight for a long time despite diet and exercise. I am 47 and believe it just goes downhill after 40. Trying to be happy with current weight and eat less portions. Everything in moderation is my motto.

1 person found this helpful

I 'd Wish Everyone Had This Book

I love this book. The sincerity and flow of the words, the wisdom and truth about how smart is our body and how mistakenly is has been treated. I am absolutely delighted with the readers of the book, the authors. My nutritionist recommended this book to me and in a two weeks period I have listened it twice. I can't get enough of the knowledge that this book imparts and the guidance I get of how I can finally be at peace with my body. Thank you Evelyn and Elyse for this inspired resource to help us heal our relationship with ourselves .