Intuitive eating tips ~ Welcome to AndreaCox.com

Recently one of my clients asked me what time she should eat. This question comes up a lot and my answer is always the same. Just because it's 8 am and the rest of the world is eating does not mean you should be eating. On most days my first solid meal comes between 1:30 & 3:30 pm. By allowing my intuition to guide e (not what the old food rule book says), I am naturally following Intuitive eating principles.

Sound shocking? It shouldn't! A clean properly efficient body leans on its intuition of knowing exactly when to eat. Healthy bodies require eating less often. My body just so happens to run much more efficiently on less food! My mind stays clearer as well!

Here's the E-mail I received from my client

Hello Andrea,

As a 36-year-old woman who has been a chronic dieter for at least 15 years, I’m finally realizing that my relationship with food is disordered. The last year or so has been a cyclical diet pattern of pure stress. Often times upon walking through the door from work, I reach for whatever’s in front of me.

I often follow the latest fad diet trends and go from one diet to the next (mostly ones I’ve already done over the years) and I am bigger and more miserable than ever.

In addition to the usual misery that my former eating disorder had caused, *everything* that I’ve found about getting help for is targeted towards recovery. Since getting in touch with hunger carries along with it getting in touch with deep-rooted stuffed down feelings in general, I’m also realizing that I feel like I've failed as a woman. After all, I'm supposed to be pretty and perfect.

I’m honestly at the point where I feel like the only way to get out of this cycle is to pick a diet and stick with it, even though I know it’s bound to fail. At least the cycle will stop, and I can close the Pandora’s Box that I’ve opened by starting to connect with my emotions.

I’m sorry for ranting here, but I guess my main point for posting is to ask if you know of any intuitive eating resources? Thank you, I love your work!

Here are my Intuitive Eating tips from the letter I received

Learn to FEEL into your emotions! There is an old saying "you have to feel it to heal it". I truly believe this statement and encourage my clients to sit in silence for a minimum of five minutes before each meal. This allows us to tune in instead of reaching for that bag of potato chips!
Be certain you are getting the proper nutrients you need – Stop with the restrictions when it comes to things that don't matter such as portion control. I lead my clients into becoming their own parents. As your parent, you need to be certain your inner child and your physical body are both getting their needs met. Be mindful to ensure you are getting enough nutrition to maintain your health.
Honor the hunger within – Giving yourself adequate nutrition at regular intervals allows your body to work the way it has always been meant to run - smoothly! Stop restricting calories!
Feel your fullness – This can be challenging! You may not recognize the need to stop eating until you are overly stuffed. Begin with being present and try to feel how it feels to be “full” and not overly stuffed. I do this by always shutting off my devices while eating. I also chew my food thoroughly. Music is also a delight for me as I eat.
Encourage satisfaction – When you allow yourself to eat what you truly crave, you feel so much more content. Honor your tastebuds and notice how they play into satiety. I'm not telling you to eat garbage. Nowadays, there is an alternative to almost everything we crave. I love peanut butter cups. The commercial brands are full of crap! Instead, I eat Justin’s almond butter cups now. It's a fantastic alternative!
The Magical Four – When we eat with our senses (sight, smell, touch, and taste!!) the more connected we will be to our fullness and satisfaction thereby being less likely to overeat.
Practice mindfulness – Allow yourself to live in the moment by releasing negative thought patterns. If an unwanted thought arises, simply let it go.
Connect with your body in a joyful, purposeful way – Practice yoga, apply a new essential oil, dance naked in your kitchen, get a massage, enjoy life! You get my point!
Move your body – Body movement is unique to everyone. For me, a long hike with my rescue dogs or indulging in a yoga class gets it every time. The important thing to remember is to move your body daily.
Practice self-care daily – Self-care is a must. Sprinkle in opportunities to connect your body, mind, soul, and spirit. It can be 5 minutes of deep breathing, rebounding, drinking a cup of tea, taking a walk, anything that makes you happy. For me, this is a morning chant while playing Satnam Kaur.
Cultivate joy – find what lights your soul on fire and DO THAT OFTEN!

I've created a new program based on the methods I use with my coaching clients on how to create more balance in our life through intuitive eating patterns. I usually charge a fee of $2997 to take everyone through this program based on intuitive eating and intermittent fasting. Today you can get it on the cheap! You can find this program here.

This is thousands LESS than my normal coaching rate.

Gone are the days of restrictive eating patterns that no longer serve you.

I only want the best for you

Blessings of peace love and great health ~ Andrea