Hi Kath, Carmelle, and the rest of the gang,
Thanks for starting the checkin..I've been drifting away..here's why - This has been a very interesting experiment for me. To recap, about three years ago I lost all excess weight by eliminating dairy, sugars, and red meat almost totally from my diet. I also exercised a lot for fun. Then I started eating what my BF ate. His staples are hamburger helper, mac&cheese, and sandwiches with a lot of mayo. Work got more stressful and I stopped exercising. I gained 15 lbs. Then I started a myriad of diets (scan diet, 8 minutes in the morning, slimfast, weight watchers, suzanne somers) and sporadic exercise. I stayed the same weight plus or minus the monthly five pounds. Then I read Intuitive Eating and stopped dieting though I did exercise more, probably 3.5 times a week average. My metabolism was slow and though I never stuffed myself or binged, I gained 15 pounds. Wow. Ironically, I was/am more amazed at having gained weight so fast than upset at having gained weight. So yes, you might really gain some weight eating whatever you want.
BUT I think Carmelle hit it right on. Eating junk makes me feel like junk. I preferred how I felt when I ate very little dairy or sugar. I positively glowed then AND my body thrives on constant exercise. This last week or so I've been worried that cutting dairy and sugar out would be a case of the diet police. I don't want to diet ever again and I want to be free of dieting. With this in mind, I've made daily a.m. exercise a very high priority and I cut out the sweets. I truly don't miss them at all. I drink a lot of ice water. I pamper myself more. I try to add a fruit or vegetable to every meal. In another week I'll phase out the dairy and see if I really miss it or not. I was really allergic to dairy as a child and I am just constantly a bit phlemy when having it as an adult.
Is this consistent with Intuitive Eating? I think perhaps it is. In the gentle nutrition section they say that you should opt for the most nutritious choice IF you don't feel deprived by it.
I guess this is the next phase of IE - I can use nutrition guidelines for eating but must be careful that I'm not depriving myself. Oh, I did go ahead and buy bigger clothes so the weight-loss wouldn't seem so urgent. It does bother me a bit, but I just think to myself "Who cares?!" I've learned what I need to do to feel healthy and I'm doing it.
Sorry this is so long, but hopefully it will be informative for someone. Feedback always welcome