Today the mission of the day (and tomorrow) is to get my stupid 16 page (single spaced) paper mostly done… I’d like to get the bulk of the paper done today so that the rest of the week is spent just proofreading & assembling… I’m at least treating myself by planning on spending the day out on my porch in the sunshine (unless rain comes) with my friend, miss laptop…
I started out the day with a Clif mini bar of COURSE… tell me you’re not surprised by this 
I got to the gym 15 minutes early so I worked on the ab machine until the class started… Spinning was nice & sweaty ~ ’nuff said! 600 calories burned, wooo!
When I got home, I didn’t know what I was craving, so I resorted to oats with flax, cinnamon, nuts, STRAWBERRIES, and half a banana… total yumminess… Also, had an iced nonfat latte on the side from Starbucks… I figured I’d treat myself! I also am loving the fact that fresh, tropical fruit is now in season and all around us (at a great price too!)…
Before I go to hit the books, I wanted to comment on my experiences thus far with intuitive eating…
Cravings: I have noticed a significant change in the kinds of cravings I’ve had… Typically I crave sweets, but in the last few weeks, I have been craving more vegetables & fruit, perhaps it also has to do with the change in weather?
Frequency of Eating: The number of times I am eating typically remains the same (3 square meals and 2-3 snacks), but the volume has changed. Instead of “saving” calories/treats for at night-time, I am eating more balanced meals throughout the day, consuming healthier foods in more volume, which I think has been helping me to cut down on night-time splurges…
Emphasis on Food: I have experienced a decreased focus towards food… granted, I still think about it b/c of blogging and I still look forward to breakfasts, but I used to have food on my mind 24/7, even when I stopped physically writing down calories, I was always trying to count up in my head my intake for the day… Now that I listen to my stomach (and NOT my brain), I find I only think about it when 1.) I’m hungry (or pre-workout) 2.) Planning my meals 3.) Blogging This is a HUGE step for me as I think my life used to revolve around “how healthy can I eat so I can splurge later, etc”!
Focus on Workouts: Now when I workout, I actually enjoy it… Before I was working out only to burn calories so I could eat more later… However, now I’m focusing on the strength & health gains that I’ve experienced and the ability to push myself further and further!
Overall, just my two cents: I strongly recommend this approach as it promotes healthier eating & is less time consuming (not to mention…less brain work)… I recently read an article that said even if a person counts calories, it is essentially worthless because you can never be 100% accurate (unless you are eating every snack/meal prepared from scratch at home and weighing it on a scale, then calculating calories)… plus even though I believe in the Harris-Benedict formula, every body is completely different in terms of calorie needs… This behavior all around is not realistic and can turn into obsessive behavior (believe me, I was there!)…
We need to live our lives to the fullest & seize the day, not obsess about it, you know? Ok, I’m done with my declaration of freedom from food + calories! I wish you all luck & health!
Jenn says:
You are SO inspiring! I’m constantly working to break out of the mindset that I “have to” eat at certain times per day, even when I’m not hungry. I’m definitely not there yet, but knowing that I’m not alone (from you and all your lovely commenters) makes me feel a lot more confident that it is possible. Thank you for your post!
lindzakins921 says:
Theresa ~ Yeah it seems like we are all pretty similar here in that we have pretty much the same patterns!!! Don’t apologize for your long post, I enjoyed reading it
I can DEFINITELY relate to everything you are saying… it takes a while to get into good patterns but everyday is still a challenge… best of luck to ya!
theresa says:
I completely with what everyone said about “saving” calories for night, when you just want food for whatever reason. I always look forward to that part of my day, for that reason! I also used to wait til my boyfriend went upstairs to bed so he wouldn’t know I was eating AGAIN! So, even now, I get this urge to eat as soon as he goes upstairs! Its amazing how we can train ourselves to adopt different patterns; good or bad! I appreciate your post so much, and really strive to be like that. However, if I don’t count, I assume I’ve probably eaten more than I wanted to, and end up overeating! Looks like I still have some work to do =) Sorry so long…
lindzakins921 says:
MizFit ~ Glad you found it interesting… WOW I would be super duper honored to be on your blog!!!!
Julz ~ AWWWWWWWWW, you are going to make ME cry now
I really appreciate all your kind words & encouragement along the way! I definitely remember that comment-conversation!!! I would love to have a nutrition-based career but after 4 years of college & 3 years of grad school, I think I am school’ed out for now, so there’s no way I think I could physically or mentally start another career, plus I do like what I do… however, once I’m done w/ the wedding plans, etc… I really am going to try to start teaching exercise classes… I think that will be a good & school-free way for me to have a semi-related “job” 
hehe and don’t worry, i would never think you were parenting me!!! I’m definitely up for lunch or a walk when you get better 
Yes I did hear about the tornado warnings, you be careful too!
Sagan ~ Seems like my cravings are right in alignment with yours… I definitely have been craving the same foods I guess I satisfied my sweet tooth with better, healthier, and heartier options!
magpie ~ It is a struggle, I agree… I guess since we’ve been “programmed” for so long to think about food in terms of calories, fat, etc., it’s really tough to break out of that!
Beth ~ I’m so relieved to know that I was not the only one saving my calories for splurges, although your splurges are definitely healthier than what mine were
But yeah, I find that the more I try to eat well-rounded meals, the less cravings for junk I have AND the less desire I have to overeat at night… amazing, isn’t it?
Sarah ~ That is a great idea to keep in mind, I will definitely remember that one about how our relationship with food is evolving… I thought about counting calories and thought, hmmm how realistic is this when I have a family and am running after kids or work gets more demanding, etc… I figured it’s best to start now then put it off later!
Sarah says:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the evolution of your relationship with food. It’s great to read another person’s thoughts that are similar to mine.
One thing I’ve learned that I try to always remember (sometimes better than others) is that your tastes and relationship with food is always evolving.
Also that it’s overall balance rather than one meal or one day that counts. Sometimes easier said than done when I’m beating myself up over a dessert splurge, but oh well.
Your lovely bowl of fruity oatmeal looks delicious!
Beth says:
Thank you so much for posting this! I can definitely identify with the saving the cals for evening time. This past week, I went over my cals 2 nights, at first I blamed my period but I I’m beginning to realize that part of it is that I tend to save the majority of my cals for the evening when boredom eating sets in. Today I’m starting to spread my calories more evenly and hope that it will not lead me to overeat in the evening. (Grant it my overeating tends to be peanut butter, ezekiel bread, cracked wheat cereal/oatmeal and fage yogurt) A calorie is calorie and calories do add up. I’m trying not to beat myself up, I went and walked 2 miles this afternoon and keep assuring myself that no one is perfect and that its okay to off days. You yourself (err myself) cannot control everything.
Cravings are another thing too, I notice now that I don’t crave the processed foods anymore. Its more like I want some steamed broccolli or a cold juicy tomato (which was the case today after walking 2 miles in the hot sun) and not some Oreos and ice cream.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Good luck on your paper!
magpie says:
Good luck with your paper and those strawberries look fantastic – fresh and ripe.
I agree about the calorie counting thing – if I think of trying to hit a certain number, I’ll just eat crap until I get there instead of just eating when I’m hungry and eating good food. Intuitive eating is really hard at first though and I definitely struggle with it.
Sagan says:
Love this post and you are so very right. By the way, what kinds of fruits and veggies are you craving? Because if its the sweeter ones then maybe you’ve managed to shift your tastes to more natural sugars. I know that I’ve found that that’s really happened for me… I rarely add sugar to anything at all because it seems too sweet, but I LOVE things like carrots and apples and bananas and other fruits and veggies with higher amounts of natural sugars in them. Definitely a good thing!
Julz says:
Last Thing: You and Bill heard about the Tornado Warnings right?! Be Careful!!
Julz says:
This made my day!! You have become such a mentor and marvel for me and all of your fellow blogging sisters (I love this! I’ve never had a sister before!! … Sap, I know.)! I am going to read this over and over again, Linds, because I think that your approach is the KEY to being H.A.P.P.Y. with one’s body and mind, in unison. It’s such a beautiful thing.
Gah, this is so embarrassing, but I literally have tears in my eyes because there are so many people MY AGE who could really use you as a mentor and a “big sister” for health… I remember my first comment on your blog where I said that I “love your blog…It seems that you achieve the idea of listening to what your body craves, giving it what it truly wants.”
Your Response: “I don’t think I’m quite there yet – with listening to my body, but I’m hoping to be there soon thru the help of this blog & support.”
You ARE so there. It’s out of this world, and I really think you should incorporate this into your career in some way! So sorry if I sound like I’m parenting you, as I mean NOTHING of the sort. It’s just that it is SUCH a rarity that a woman feels so at home in her own body and is able to TRULY accept that home as her own and put health and love at the top of that home’s priorities. Your kids are going to be so lucky to have that to look up to… I, myself, feel so lucky to have that blogging :big sister: deal goin on
***** Cuts off violinist, steps down from first and SECOND soapbox tiers *****
(PS) WE HAVE TO HAVE LUNCH SOMETIME!! Or go for a walk (I’ll hobble
) or something!!!
Sorry about this comment being SO long! I couldn’t help myself and I think that after working so hard to find this balance and bliss, you deserve to hear it all and more
MizFit says:
I found your .02 so interesting!!
especially the focus on the workouts part.
thanks so much for sharing (and, as always, if youd wanna do a FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD thursday guest spot let me know!)
M.
lindzakins921 says:
arielle ~ I completely agree w/ you… I would definitely eat junk food just to eat it b/c I knew I’d have calories left
It feels so refreshing to finally be past that stage now!
Romina ~ That’s an excellent point, it’s definitely the way our bodies were made to work, but unfortunately our society abuses that! I am (recently) a firm believer in the quality of calories and not the quantity! That’s not to say I won’t have splurges, but everything in moderation!!
Ashley ~ Thanks!!! I appreciate it
It’s definitely about finding what works the best for each of us… Best of luck to you too 
VeggieGirl ~ I was beyond excited to have strawberries today, I think it’s a sickness hehe… THANKS!!! Have a great weekend
VeggieGirl says:
Hooray for your paper getting done!! And hooray for strawberries :0)
You’re doing great with intuitive eating – keep it up, girl!! I too agree with what Arielle and Romina said.
Happy Saturday!! :0)
ashley says:
It’s great to hear it’s going so well for you. I’ve been thinking about how unprecise counting calories is. I count for about 5 or 6 days out of the week. The days I don’t count are usually weekends when I’m eating a lot of foods that I don’t know the nutritional info to. But it’s all about finding what works for YOU (or me
, so this is awesome!
Romina says:
Intuitive eating is a great approach, if people could do it for thousands of years, why not now?
And I agree with Arielle, calorie counting for many means that they can splurge if they save calories. I have a friend who recently started a diet and I saw her calorie log and it’s ridiculous. All she ate was 2000 calories worth of soda and fast food, thinking it was good.
arielle says:
Your second to last paragraph is exactly how I’ve always felt about counting calories. Whenever I’ve tried to count calories in the past, I’ve always ended up eating more because I’d think things like, oh, I have 200 calories left, I can have this much ice cream. When otherwise, I probably wouldn’t even think of the ice cream, or if I did, I’d have less.