Skip to main content

Day 15: Discovering the Power of Slow Eating

Thanks for taking the time to connect with my holistic health journey daily thoughts!

A New Habit Unveiled

Today marks a significant milestone in my Precision Nutrition journey, as I delve into the transformative habit of slow eating. This habit is one of the PN's anchor habits and the concept, though seemingly straightforward, unveiled a profound realization about my eating pace. It turns out, I've been racing through meals without even noticing and I don't remember when that started. I wonder if this is due to being bottle fed as a baby (not paced)? As a lactation consultant I have read the studies about bottle feeding and how that impacts people long term.

The image shows a woman sitting at a wooden table filled with wholesome foods. She's about to eat a salad, with a variety of colorful vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, and greens on her plate. A sense of calm radiates from her serene expression. Natural light streams in through a nearby window, bathing the room in a warm, welcoming glow and highlighting the fresh produce on the table, which includes avocados, citrus fruits, and a juice. The setting suggests a quiet, mindful moment during a meal in a cozy, sunlit space.

The Experiment at the Dinner Table

In an effort to embrace this new habit, I embarked on a simple yet effective experiment during my weekend dinners. By consciously placing my fork down between bites and sipping my drink, I aligned my meal's end with the rest of my family's. This small change not only made my meals more enjoyable but also highlighted a stark difference in eating habits within my family. Interestingly, none of my family members, who naturally eat slower and who all were breastfed, face weight challenges, underscoring the potential impact of this habit on my own journey. 

Reflecting on the Roots of My Fast Eating

This observation at the dinner table led me to ponder the origins of my fast eating. Could it be traced back to being bottle-fed as an infant, in contrast to the breastfeeding experience of my family members who are all normal weights and never had any issue around weight gain like me? The lack of bottle pacing and self-regulated fullness might have set the stage for my hurried eating habits. 

Additionally, the role of emotional eating, potentially stemming from past traumas, cannot be overlooked in this complex equation.

Embracing Movement and Mindfulness

Parallel to the nutrition lessons, the program continues to emphasize the importance of physical activity and mental well-being. The guided meditation sessions have become a cherished part of my daily routine, offering a sense of peace and grounding. Coupled with regular walks, these practices not only enhance my physical fitness but also contribute to a holistic sense of accomplishment and well-being.

Moving Forward with Mindfulness

As I integrate slow eating into my daily routine, I am keenly aware of the journey ahead. It's not just about changing how I eat, but also understanding and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to my eating habits. With each mindful bite, I'm not just nourishing my body; I'm also healing and understanding it better.

This new habit is more than a dietary change; it's a step towards a more mindful, balanced, and healthy lifestyle. As I continue on this path, I am reminded of the power of small changes and the profound impact they can have on our overall well-being.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Day 24: Valentine's Reflections and Embracing Every Moment

Welcome back, followers of well-being! A Surprising Lesson on Binge Eating Valentine's Day brought with it an unexpected lesson from the program, focusing on the concept of binge eating. The lesson didn't delve into definitions but rather suggested an intriguing approach: if binge eating occurs, do it slowly and without any guilt. For those who don't experience binge eating, the guidance was to maintain the practice of eating slowly throughout the day. This perspective offers a unique lens on mindfulness and self-compassion, encouraging us to be present and intentional with our eating habits, regardless of the situation. The Continual Growth Through Meditation Today's workout seamlessly blended meditation with walking, a combination that has become a cherished part of my routine. The guided meditations, each building upon the last one, have become a source of solace and anticipation. Their evolving nature keeps me engaged and hopeful that they'll remain a cornerston...

Day 27: Braving the Cold and Envisioning the Future

A Chilly Start to the Day Today's active recovery day took us back to the familiar yet frosty surroundings of the lake, with temperatures dipping to -15°C. Despite bundling up, the biting wind made our 20-minute walk more challenging than usual. The vast openness of the lake's paths and parks, usually a source of tranquility, today amplified the cold. To compensate for the lack of zone minutes on my Fibtbit, I added a 25-minute rowing session on my Bowflex Revolution in the afternoon, following a snow shoveling session under the watchful eye of my dog. Our day concluded with another walk after dinner, maintaining our routine despite the cold. Active recovery decoded and why you need it. Looking Ahead: The Maintenance Phase Today's lesson shifted our focus to the future, specifically the maintenance phase post-program. It outlined the gradual build-up of habits that will eventually become second nature, requiring no conscious effort to maintain. The lesson encouraged us to e...

Day 5 of Precision Nutrition Coaching: Transforming Desires into Actions

Welcome back, to all my readers! Today marked the fifth day of my journey with the Precision Nutrition (PN) Coaching program and like each day before, it was truly educational. The central theme of today's lesson was about transforming our "I don't wants" into "I do wants," a powerful shift in mindset that propels us from passive wishing to active doing. Flipping the Script: From "Don't" to "Do" It's easy to get caught in the trap of saying things like, "I don't want to be out of shape." However, this approach is often unproductive. Today's lesson taught me to reframe these thoughts into positive affirmations. Instead of focusing on what I don't want, I'm learning to focus on what I do want, like being in better shape. This simple flip in wording makes a significant difference in how I approach my goals. Vision Boards and Letters to the Future The course also introduced some creative tools to visualize an...