“If I listen to my body I will never stop eating!”

“I ate myself sick last night. What’s wrong with me?”

“I just have no control when it comes to food.”

Comments like these fill my office space weekly and the minds of many others daily. It’s a common misconception that if you struggle with overeating or binging there is something wrong with you as person, and clearly your body can’t be trusted. I’ve found (and a growing body of evidence supports) this to be as false as the world being flat. 

I believe anyone can learn, and actually remember, how to eat in-line with your body’s needs.

Enlist connection and acceptance instead of self-depreciation when it comes to overeating. Connect to the moment, your body and your food FULLY both as you decide what to eat and in the process of enjoying your meal or snack. Notice the gradual shifts in stomach sensations as eating progresses. 

We often come to a point where we know we are physically full in body but still want to keep eating. Now bring in the acceptance. An affirmation I often use is, “My body has simply had enough.” If you get distracted by thoughts to keep eating in spite of body fullness, redirect the mind to the breath and the comfortable state of being physically satisfied.

Know that your body appreciates your efforts to work with it. 

Julie Norman, nicknamed "The Body Image Guru" by clients, guides women to live authentically healthy lives through peaceful body image, intuitive eating and mindful movement. She blends professional nutrition guidance with the wisdom of yoga to help women transform the ways in which they care for and experience their bodies. She maintains a private practice, REAL Nutrition, LLC, and is the creator of Body Karma Healing, a yoga-based program intended to help women transform body image from painful to peaceful. Julie believes healing individual body image pain helps us heal the world! Get started with her guiding DVD.