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You might believe that a person who eats instinctively has been blessed with willpower and a great metabolism. But
truth is, we were all born Instinctive Eaters. Its just that many of us “unlearned” our natural ability to know how much to eat. The good news is that you can relearn those skills if you are willing. I did! Here are some important steps to get you started.
1.Let go of
idea that there is a perfect diet that will finally solve your problems. The answer lies within you.
2.Whenever you have an urge to eat, instead of focusing on
food, first ask yourself, “Am I hungry?” Remember that hunger is a physical feeling. It is not
same thing as appetite, cravings, or
desire to eat.
3.If you are hungry, remember that there are no “good” or “bad” foods. You are less likely to overeat certain foods if you know that you can have them again when you really want them.
4.Stop eating when
hunger is gone but before you feel full, even if there is food left. Give up your membership to
Clean Plate Club!
5.If you are not hungry, ask yourself if something in your environment triggered your urge to eat and what you could do to reduce
trigger or distract yourself from it. For instance, could you put
candy dish out of sight or do something else for a while until you are actually hungry?
6.If there was an emotional trigger, ask yourself what you could do to better cope with that emotion. For instance, if stress triggered your urge to eat, could you try a relaxation exercise instead? 7.Don’t expect yourself to be perfect—it is not possible or even necessary.
By relearning to eat instinctively, you will see that eating to satisfy hunger is pleasurable and that it is good to eat foods that you enjoy. You will find that meeting your other needs in appropriate ways will bring balance and joy to your life. By learning these important skills, you will reach a healthier weight and a healthier lifestyle—without dieting!

Michelle May, M.D. is a practicing Board Certified Family Physician with expertise in the cognitive-behavioral aspects of weight management. She is the author of Am I Hungry? What To Do When Diets Don’t Work in collaboration with a Registered Dietitian and Psychologist. Visit her website www.AmIHungry.com for more ideas on managing weight without dieting.