This post was mentioned on Twitter by craigharper: Latest Post Fat Girl Slim: Hi Guys, CJ here.
This is quite embarrassing to admit to you but earlier this year I ha… http://bit.ly/4TlErg...

It’s only natural to continually seek ways to improve upon ourselves, but if it means we forget how to read our own body then soaking up all that information (no matter how great some of it may be) is a huge waste of time.

The best investment any of us can make is to close our eyes and ears to the info, the hype, the experts, and take even just a few days to listen to our body. To think about how each meal or food choice affects us physically, emotionally, and mentally. And then to make the next choice based on that outcome rather than on an advertising-based suggestion of what’s good for us.

Anyway, kind of a long story but it ends like yours C.J, I started listening to what my body needed. And I got back to the size that’s right and comfortable for my body frame. And I can never eat as much as I used to again, but that’s fine.
I wanted to share this because nobody clued me in about the biological and hormonal effects of aging as they relate to fitness until I was already spiralling with them. Maybe this will affect someone’s efforts in a positive way.

Giant hugs!!

Well, the swimmers shopping wasn’t quite as psychologically damaging as I had anticipated. I found a nice little (a loose term) number which covers all the bits which really should be covered and will hopefully save me from being surrounded by wildlife volunteers throwing buckets of water at me, shouting ‘Keep her wet!’ and trying to roll me back into the surf. That last time was so embarrassing …

It’s very encouraging to read that many of you have already implemented the whole ‘only eating when you’re hungry’ thing and have reconnected with your bodies. Enjoy your results and the amazing feeling of freedom which comes from being released from the diet merry-go-round – it is infinitely better than any momentary sensation that food can offer.

Now, some questions have been raised from your fantastic comments (thank you, by the way, they gave me a middle-child glow). Bear in mind that I am no expert. I can only share with you what I have learned from my journey and you will need to decide whether or not it will work for you.

How do we cope with our feelings if we’re not self-medicating with food?

Ok. I know both ‘feelings’ and ‘food’ start with an ‘f’ (lots of good words do) but that’s where the similarity ends. Have the courage to separate the two and face your feelings. It is possible – if a Princess Needy crybaby like me can do it then so can you.

How do I know when to start eating?

Experiment. See how long you can go without food before you begin to feel a little hungry. Savour it. That’s your body talking to you. Respect your body enough to wait for its signals; recognise those signals (no, that’s not wind, that’s how it feels when you last longer than five minutes without stuffing your face) and reconnect with it. Once you’re in tune with your body, you’ll find the idea of eating when you’re not hungry mildly ridiculous.

How do I know when to stop eating?

If your pets and your children are starting to fear you, it may be time to stop. Again, it’s a matter of experimentation. Track your food in a diary until you have worked out exactly the amount of food you need to keep you satisfied for a reasonable length of time. There’s no point eating half a water cracker for lunch if you’re starving 10 minutes later. There’s also no need to eat a sandwich the size of your laptop. Perhaps have half a sandwich for lunch and keep the rest for when you’re hungry again.

One vital aspect of my journey was to let go of my need to feel ‘full’. I now understand that ‘comfortably satisfied’ is the sensation to aim for. If I feel ‘full’, I’m actually ‘over-full’. Does that make sense? We all have different bodies and our needs can vary from day to day – handing over the reins to my body was the only way for me.

Jaki – the only thing I can suggest is to make the subject off-limits. She doesn’t want a solution, she wants you to say: ‘There, there bunny. It’s not your fault that you’re fat.’ When she begins her rant, tell her calmly ‘We agreed to avoid that subject’; then ask her a question about something else. If that doesn’t work, tell her that a Cadburys Chocolate truck has overturned in the next street and spilled its load everywhere – you’ll get a peaceful hour or two and she’ll get some exercise searching for it.

Wow. Is this the longest comment ever?

Have an awesome weekend everyone. Enjoy your bodies (no, not in that way. Then again, whatever floats your boat …)

CJ xox

I could relate to a lot of what you said, too, CJ. You weren’t alone through that (longish) ‘phase’ of your life. So glad to hear you’ve moved beyond all that now. No more buying ‘diet’ books for you. BUT rules are made to be broken, right? Your only allowable exception to this rule is… if it is authored by Craig Harper! HA HA!!! * I was being serious

Quoting the ‘famous six words’ from the longest post of Craig’s you’ll ever read: “don’t eat what you don’t need.”