Many of my clients tell me they can’t stop eating.
I know the feeling, although I’m grateful that it’s very rare for me now.

That’s why I was so fascinated by my daughter last week.
She was enjoying a customized breakfast just before gymnastics training: chocolate chip pancakes with hash browns. And hot chocolate with LOTS of whipped cream.
She explained her eating strategy: “I eat from least chocolatey pieces to the most chocolatey because I save the best for last”.

Ever the eating coach, I suggested that she eat the best parts first.
I didn’t want her to be full, and still eat the pieces with the most chocolate chips because she loves them the most. I want her to stop eating when her body has had enough.

That’s what we adults do right? Save the best for last. Which guarantees we’ll eat all of it. Even if we’re full before then. We adults don’t always stop eating when we’re full.

“I won’t get full”, she told me.
Three bites later, fork drops down on the plate – “I’m full” she says matter-of-factly, and hops off the stool to begin practicing her bars.
Fascinating. I stared at the plate. All the chocolatiest pieces remaining.

So what.
She knows there’s plenty of good food in her future.
She knows she’ll never be deprived.
And if she can’t have these delicious chocolate chip pancakes again?
So what.
She knows that these chocolate chip pancakes will make no difference to her feeling of satisfaction with life today, tomorrow, or ever.

The difference between us and her?
She’s never been on a diet.
Never been told to restrict what she eats.
Never been told to eat according to any rules.
Her hunger level rules. Only and always.
It’s possible to rediscover that kind of simplicity around food again.
My clients are discovering it every day.
And their excitement with life as they rediscover their inner brilliance parallels my 11 year old daughter’s energy and vitality.
Lucky I’ve done this journey, otherwise I could never keep up with them or her!

Next time your hunger is satisfied before your plate is emptied, stop eating.
If you feel panicky, ask yourself why you want to eat.
Whatever your answer, try asking this: SO WHAT?
And then, whatever your answer, ask of that: so what?
If you need help finding the answers, and learning how to stop eating when your body is satisfied, that’s my specialty. Email me to find out more.