How to easily tolerate hunger
When I was still struggling with food and emotional eating, I couldn’t tolerate being hungry. Being without food used to terrify me!
But let me tell you this: I had a tooth extraction surgery last Wednesday, which meant I wasn’t allowed to eat foods for the next day or so.
On Wednesday morning I had my last meal.
I knew there will be no food intake for the next 24 hours or more so that my wound can heal properly.
And it was so easy to be without food. I did feel hunger but I could easily tolerate it.
However, something like this would make me terrified when I was still struggling with food.
I would eat in advance too, and sometimes stuff myself with 2 lunches because I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat dinner.
So many women in my community feel this way.
The underlying problem is really the fear of scarcity. That there won’t be enough.
If you have a fear that something will run out, or that you won’t have enough time to eat or food to get full, you will feel fear and this will cause panic, stress and this will cause you to want to overeat NOW, to prevent being hungry in the future.
- Your thoughts create your emotions.
- Your emotions guide your behaviours.
Your thoughts about the situation matter SO MUCH.
Now let’s see how I was coping with the hunger.
I was not ignoring the fact that my body was hungry during the fasting after the surgery.
What I did was that I actually had a conversation with her.
(I teach all the Goddesses in my programs to refer to their bodies as a SHE, because she is a female animal).
“Hey, I know you’re hungry. But it’s okay. This is important so that we can heal faster. There is plenty of food all around us. And there will be plenty more tomorrow and the day after. All is good. We are safe.”
These thoughts kept me calm and trusting.
It’s such a beautiful shift that always causes big transformations.
You can use it in your everyday life.
NOTE: If you wish to stop struggling with food for good, watch this free masterclass HERE.
Maybe you are so busy in the afternoon that you won’t have time to eat your lunch. So when you eat your breakfast, you have thoughts like: “Oh, no! I’m not going to be able to eat lunch, I better eat now!!”
Shift those thoughts by talking to your body.
Comfort her. Make her feel safe. Tell her that no starvation is coming.
Something like:
“Hey, it’s okay. What if we bring some quick snacks, like a banana, or a protein bar? It’s not the end of the world if we skip lunch and just have snacks. And there will always be an option to eat later and that will be even more satisfying because we’ll truly be hungry.”
Hunger is not the end of the world. It’s actually just a sensation. And true hunger will need a LONG time before it becomes unpleasant.
It’s the emotional hunger that is usually very unpleasant and uncomfortable.
But true hunger is pleasant for a long time. It’s also very gradual and patient.
So keep that in mind as well the next time you feel anxious around not having food.
Okay, my friend.
I hope this serves you. 🤗
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Warmly,
Tiasha
Become a Normal Eater
How becoming a food lover helped me make peace with food