Our most recent support group was held by our psychologist Fiona Tzouramanis and focussed on a discussion of the 4 eating cycles developed by Dr Michelle May, the founder of “Am I Hungry, Mindful Eating Programs”. You can check out her website www.amihungry.com for great ideas and a wealth of knowledge on how to eat mindfully.
The four eating cycles are based on:
Why? – do we eat
When? – do we eat
What? – are we eating
How? – do we eat
How much? – time do we take to eat
Where? – does our energy go
Restrictive Eating Cycle – The restrictive eating cycle is based on people that are on a diet. The basis of the diet is to follow the rules i.e. the allowed foods and rigid eating cycle. Energy is focussed on eating and exercising.
Overeating Cycle – The overeating cycle has no rules, a person eating whatever provides them comfort and pleasure, eating mindlessly, being uncomfortable and having excess fuel stored in the body.
Mindful Eating Cycle – The mindful eating cycle is the cycle that bariatric patients will benefit from most; using it as a guide to manage eating habits and lifestyle changes. It is questioning yourself at every point to ensure you are moving in the right direction. Being mindful we can develop healthy long-term mechanisms relating to food. This cycle is the GO TO of all of the cycles for bariatric patients.
Why – do I eat?
When – do I want to eat?
What – do I eat?
How – do I eat?
How much – do I eat?
Where – do I invest my energy?
Instinctive Eating Cycle – The instinctive eating cycle is the cycle you get to once you have mastered the mindful eating cycle. This cycle is based on eating when we are hungry, until we are satisfied and learning how to eat and respond to our biological hunger signals (not our thinking or feeling hunger signals), and learning to live a full and healthy life.
If you would like to attend our next support group meeting then please call us on 02 9553 1120 to book your space.
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