Charlene is a journey of mindful health and self-care
Posted on 05/04/2013 @ 4:58 PM
One of the things I learned very shortly after beginning the Am I Hungry?® program, is that I have a fundamental fear of hunger. As I’ve continued to practice the concepts, I’ve come to understand how deep seated it is, how much energy I’ve expended, and how much overeating I’ve done trying to prevent hunger throughout my lifetime. I just flat don’t like feeling hungry. It provokes insecurity. Then, I learned something else last night. My stepson, who lives in Texas, arrived for a visit. After I came home from work, he, my husband, and I had a wonderful time catching up. Suddenly, we realized we were hungry and decided to go to one of our favorite Italian restaurants. As it is also a favorite for others in the neighborhood, there was a bit of a wait time. We continued to chat, laugh, and tell stories. Once we were seated, and I gauged my hunger, I was very surprised to discover I was a 2 (starving) on the Am I Hungry? Hunger and Fullness Scale. How had I allowed myself to get that hungry without feeling anxious? Of course, it’s because my attention was elsewhere; I was absorbed. It was fascinating to realize that my hunger experience hadn’t been the least bit scary. So, it really isn’t hunger that triggers my fear, it’s my thoughts and beliefs about hunger. Now, I suppose if I’d waited much longer to eat, my hunger would have demanded my attention, but knowing that I can reach a 2 and barely notice has given me “food for thought.”
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