Figuring out what works for you when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight is no easy task. One of the most frustrating parts of this process is trying to figure out how many calories are appropriate for your current fitness level. Well, nowadays, it’s a trend to talk about intuitive eating and weight loss.
What is intuitive Eating?
Intuitive eating is a more relaxed approach to dieting, according to the book, “Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works”. It is described that this approach is “an alternative to the highly restrictive diets that most of us have used at one time or another.”
The biggest difference between intuitive eating and traditional weight loss programs lies in their approaches. Weight loss counselors tell their clients not to eat certain foods because they are either too high or too low in calories, fat, or carbs. They also advise people how much of these different food groups they should consume each day.
When you practice intuitive eating, calorie counting goes out the window. Instead of worrying about which foods you can and cannot eat, your focus is on eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full.
You essentially listen to your body to discover what it needs to stay healthy, energetic and at its best. The idea is that those who practice intuitive eating are able to control their cravings while feeling satisfied. They also enjoy the benefits of being in touch with their bodies without having to feel restricted or limited in any way.
Tips on Intuitive Eating and Weight Loss
Taking that into consideration, many people turn to intuitive eating and lose weight without counting calories, but there is a great deal of confusion about whether or not this method actually works. In order to clear up any confusion, here are some tips on how intuitive eating might help your perspective on dieting:
- Intuitive eating is not a diet. It is a healthy way of eating (not starving).
- You do not have to starve yourself to lose weight.
- The more you eat intuitively, depending on the person; the more you will lose weight, maintain your current weight, or sadly gain weight.
- You can start with reducing your calorie intake by 30 percent in the beginning and slowly increase it over time if you can handle it. It will take time, but it is possible to lose weight this way.
- It’s a movement rather than a diet.
- Intuitive eaters don’t count their calories but instead, listen to their bodies and eat as much as they feel like.
- You can use this method to lose weight if you’d like, even if you’re a hard-core carb junky, or at least maintain your current weight if that’s what it is for you now.
Can Intuitive Eating and Weight Loss Co-Exist?
Even though it depends on the person. Most people don’t understand their bodies and intuitive eating won’t help them magically figure out the dynamics of weight loss.
People always go after sugary foods because our bodies crave that insulin spike and they are hard to find in nature.
So, if you think intuitive eating and weight loss co-exist and believe that eventually, intuitive eating will help your body understand why it should choose an apple over a cake; you’ll be sorely disappointed.
Don’t get us wrong, some people have an unhealthy relationship with food, so, learning to love eating food and making peace with it is needed. Intuitive eating can help with that, but it can’t help an individual who doesn’t know how to lose weight and control herself.
If you are an expert on weight loss, intuitive eating and weight loss is possible because you are disciplined, unlike most people.
If you are confused about what to do about weight loss, there are lots of articles on our website which can help you by firstly educating you on the basic dynamics of weight loss:
The Secret to Losing Weight – Insulin And Weight Loss
Top Aerobic Exercise for Weight Loss – START TODAY
11 Best Healthy Vegetables For Weight Loss Now!
Best Way to Lose Weight: Carb Cycling and HIIT
Begin Yoga for Belly Fat Reduction – 10 Best Poses for Weight Loss!
21 Super Low Fat High Protein Foods for Weight Loss
Summary
Now that you know what it means to practice intuitive eating, you can decide whether or not this is an approach you want to take.
Since different people lose weight with different approaches, you could possibly find solace in this method. You could also lose weight with a totally different method. Whatever approach works for you is one that should be embraced and celebrated.
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