The "musts" of Intuitive Eating

Some of you like structure, so I'd like to offer up a challenge for these next few days and weeks. Here it is:

If you feel like doing this, see if you can find at least one "must" that lurks in your thoughts and finds its way into your conversations. "Musts" have synonyms too. Here are some examples of "musts":

I MUST lose this weight by the spring.

I MUST learn intuitive eating and get rid of my diet mentality.

I HAVE TO get more in touch with my feelings.

Once I lose the weight, I MUST make my other dreams come true.

I MUST find my hunger and fullness at every meal.

Use your imagination, and it doesn't have to be related to normal eating. It can be about anything.

Then ponder whether it's something you really do want or if it's only what you think other people want from you. If it's something you'd really like for yourself, turn it into a "prefer" or a "strongly prefer" as in "I'd prefer to get in touch with some of the feelings I've been suppressing."

The idea is to nuance your "must," making it something you can do if and when you darn well feel like it.

Among well-meaning aspiring intuitive eaters, the "musts" contribute to their struggles, while the "strongly prefers" help set them free on the road to normal eating.

Try on some "prefers" and "strongly prefers." It may sound like semantics, but it can mean the difference between failure and success. It's just how our psyches work. Edicts are what got us here to begin with. Ownership of choices will set us free.

Oh, and one more thing. Only do this assignment if you feel like it. It's not a MUST! Perhaps you might like to decide if and when you prefer to do it.