Diet mentality is that voice in your head that tells you to watch what you eat, exercise more & be sure to track your points, steps and calories. It comes with tools (the scale, the app, the fitness watch, etc.)

It's important to acknowledge your fears about not dieting and to understand how dieting has harmed you. Be on alert for patterns that are "healthy" but are a diet in disguise.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

This is an important step in IE. It is also a difficult step for most because hunger has become something to be feared and ignored...something to be overcome.

Be curious about what hunger feels like to you. How does your body let you know it is time to eat? Is your hunger physical? Could your hunger be emotional, maybe even spiritual in nature?

"You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them."

Nehemiah 9:15

This process allows you to have "unconditional permission to eat." There are no strings attached, no guilt or deprivation when you have peace with food. No food is off limits and you finally eat the foods you love, without any "negative" response. Peace with food means you can say yes to gatherings, celebrations & say no when you really want to!

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

John 14:27

The food police is that voice that ridicules and warns you of the dreaded consequences when you don't follow your diet.

It closely monitors what you put in your mouth and criticizes the "wrong" choices you make. This voice may have served as a protective support for you, but it is now time to challenge it.

It's time to find the nurturer in you.

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Ephesians 4:29

Have you been fearful of experience pleasure with food? It really is okay to have satisfaction or pleasure with the food you eat. If you constantly deny yourself this experience, you will eventually seek it out and possibly "overdo" it. That will build guilt and fear!

Satisfaction is what drives the IE process. Satisfaction comes from taste, texture, temperature and your environment.

"Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do."

Ecclesiastes 9:7

Do you fear being full, therefore avoid this feeling? Or, do you eat to the point of feeling stuffed, then regret your decision because you miserable and fear what will happen next?

Comfortably full is that point when you are no longer hungry and it is okay to stop eating here. Your comfortable point may be a moving target with a rhythm all it's own. Try not to compare.

"But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves."

John 17:13

"Emotions are indicators, not dictators." (Lysa Teurkerst) Your emotions are important and deserve your attention. If you cope with the cares of this world by leaning on food, first...good job! You have been trying to meet your need!

Now, it's time to meet that need more effectively and with a result that will leave you feeling better, physically, mentally and spiritually!

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Dieting is a form of self-starvation and deprivation. This is often out of fear of weight gain, which breads negative body image.

Respecting your body helps you to recognize genetic differences, accept that bodies come in all shapes and sizes and to take care of yourself NOW, not when you lose weight.

It is a way of meeting your basic needs without fear of your weight.

"The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:31

With every diet comes some form of rules around "exercise." Let's take a gentler approach & explore moving for fun!

Joyful movement does not have rules, it is flexible. It honors your body and what feels good to you.

When you embrace joyful movement, you likely will move more consistently. You move because you care for your body, not hate it.

"For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

1 Timothy 4:8

Intuitive Eating is not about eating what you want, when you want and how much you want in such a way that it dishonors your health.

As the author's say "make food choices that honor your health and taste buds while making you feel well."

Dieting doesn't fit here! This will help you find your path to "healthy eating" in a way that gives you your best health.

"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."

3 John 1:2