When I introduce a new weight coaching tool to my clients, they sometimes feel compelled to do it perfectly – right away. And it usually always backfires.
Take the Hunger Scale for example (please click here if you missed last week’s post on this topic).
The purpose of the Hunger Scale is not to do it perfectly. In order to get really good at something, we have to be willing to be a beginner. For example – it’s just not possible to rock out a competition worthy tango after our first ballroom dance class, right?
When doing it perfectly is our main objective – it’s easy to become frustrated and give up. But when the goal is to learn – we simply cannot fail.
To recap, the purpose of using the Hunger Scale is to…
- get acquainted with our natural hunger and fullness cues
- recognize when (and why) we want to eat to satisfy emotional hunger
- notice how our bodies feel when we eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
- notice how much food it takes for us to feel satisfied (3/4 full)
- notice how we feel when we eat to satisfaction vs how we feel when we eat until stuffed
- help us discover the way of eating that works best for our unique body
For the past few days, I’ve been keeping a food journal using the Hunger Scale. I like to revisit the tools I teach to my clients on occasion – and I’m ALWAYS amazed at how much I learn. Every.Single.Time.
There is no finish line when it comes to self awareness and development – and that’s a good thing.
Now listen up my sweet perfectionist Chickadees…
If you’ve been trying to do it perfectly or you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to start, then pretty please (with a cherry on top) consider approaching this work with knowledge and awareness as the goal.
You can use the Hunger Scale without changing a single thing about the way you eat. Let me say that again – you can use the Hunger Scale without changing a single thing about the way you eat.
Just start applying the scale to your eating – and I promise you will learn SO MUCH about yourself and your relationship with food. This isn’t a diet. There is no right or wrong. No good or bad.
If you’re learning and becoming more aware, then you’re already doing it perfectly.
*****
Curious to see what a food journal using the Hunger Scale looks like? Then click here to view my actual food journals from this week (+ food pics and self coaching notes).
Spoiler alert – there is not one single day where I eat from -2 to + 2 all day long – and that’s okay. In fact, it’s perfect!
XO Robyn
Robyn Spurr is a Certified Health Coach, Weight Loss Coach, Personal Trainer and founder of Chickadee Weight Loss.
She helps women learn to manage their emotions without food and reach their healthy, natural weight without all the diet craziness.