“Will I Gain Weight as an Intuitive Eater?”
It’s one of the most common questions chronic dieters ask when they first hear about intuitive eating. Trust me, I get it. With all the focus on weight and body size in our diet culture, it’s natural to worry. As an intuitive eating counselor and health coach, I want to tackle this concern with care and compassion and help you understand what intuitive eating is truly about.
Navigating Weight Changes with Intuitive Eating
When you start practicing intuitive eating, your weight might go in one of three directions: it could decrease, increase, or stay the same. Let’s dive deeper into why this happens and why it’s not the main focus of intuitive eating.
Weight Loss
Some people lose weight when they start intuitive eating because they stop overeating and binge eating. By honoring their hunger and fullness cues, they naturally eat less than they did while dieting. This isn't about restriction, but rather about tuning into what your body truly needs and wants.Weight Gain
Others might gain weight, especially if they’ve been under-eating or restricting for a long time. Your body might need to restore weight to reach a healthy balance. When you've been depriving yourself, your body may initially hold on to more food as a response to previous scarcity. This is a natural and healthy response that can help you reach a weight that is right for your body.Weight Stability
Many find that their weight stabilizes over time as they settle into a pattern of eating that aligns with their body’s needs. Your body is incredibly wise and will find its natural set point where it is most comfortable and functions best.
The Real Goal: Healing Your Relationship with Food
The primary goal of intuitive eating isn’t weight loss. It’s about healing your relationship with food and your body. It’s about learning to trust yourself around food, listening to your body’s cues, and finding joy and satisfaction in eating again. This journey offers benefits that go far beyond the number on the scale, including:
Improved Mental Health
Reduced stress, anxiety, and guilt around food. When you stop judging yourself for what you eat and start honoring your body’s signals, you free up a lot of mental energy that can be used for other fulfilling activities.Better Physical Health
More energy, improved digestion, and better overall health markers. When you eat in response to your body’s needs, you’re more likely to choose foods that nourish and energize you, which can lead to better physical health.Increased Self-Esteem
Greater body appreciation and respect. Accepting and respecting your body can lead to improved self-esteem and a more positive body image.
Breaking Free from the Diet Mentality
The diet mentality teaches us to value thinness over well-being, to ignore our body’s signals, and to judge ourselves harshly for our food choices. Intuitive eating encourages us to trust our bodies, honor our needs, and find balance and joy in eating. By embracing intuitive eating, you’re making a powerful decision to prioritize your overall health and happiness over the fleeting promises of diets.
Embrace the Journey
If you’re worried about gaining weight as an intuitive eater, know that your feelings are valid and common. It’s a significant shift to move away from diet culture’s promises and toward a more trusting and nurturing relationship with food and your body. Remember, this journey is about more than weight; it’s about reclaiming your health, happiness, and freedom.
