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Favorite Things, Intuitive Eating, Weekend

5 Thoughts: Including IE and Being in a Larger Body

May 14, 2018 By Robyn 22 Comments

We’re still at home in Indianapolis until we fly back to Boston tomorrow night. So I’m seeing a few clients early this morning and tomorrow morning and then relaxing in the 80 degree sunshine with the fam. It’s been a really, really wonderful and relaxing weekend seeing family <3 I hope you had a restful weekend too and are settling back into the week!

Momma Coale’s Cooking

We grilled out for Mother’s Day yesterday and it was perfect. No matter how much my brother’s and I insist on helping my mom cook, the woman cannot completely step away from the kitchen. But then again, food always tastes better when she’s involved so it was a tag team effort. We baked ribs, made the cheesiest and most delicious mac and cheese, a spinach strawberry feta salad and sautéed asparagus and snap peas with lemon and parmesean cheese. And we had blueberry and apple pie for dessert. Food happiness. I could cook the exact same recipe as my mom, but her version will always taste better. Why is that?? I feel the same way when someone else makes a salad for me.

Intuitive Eating and Being in a Larger Body

I had a blog reader leave a really thoughtful comment on last Monday’s post about intuitive eating when you live in a larger body. She opened up a really good conversation on how there isn’t as much discussion around intuitive eating for women in larger bodies like there is around women in smaller bodies. First, she’s right. And I do want to contribute more to that conversation. I wrote a post a while back on intuitive eating when you’re in a larger body that I hope is a good start to this conversation. And I hope it sheds a lot of light on what the Health At Every Size and Intuitive Eating philosophies really mean. The principles of intuitive eating apply for anyone in any body size.

If you aren’t getting hunger and fullness cues, in the beginning of your journey, you have to first work on getting into a pattern with eating where you learn to eat rhythmic, balanced meals (meaning you include all the macronutrients in all your meals) so you can essentially wake back up your metabolism and digestive tract if it’s been slowed down for a while. Often, you have to lay the foundation of these basic eating skills so your body is adequately nourished before you can move on to other intuitive eating skills. That is for every person, no matter if you’re recovering from being very underweight or you’ve been living in a larger body. I know everyone living in a larger body doesn’t have a diet history or disordered relationship with food, but I do want to recognize that possiblity. Disordered eating and eating disorders don’t discriminate. I have worked with plenty of patients and clients in larger bodies who are starving themselves. So know that just because you live in a larger (or normal sized) body, that doesn’t exclude your body from the possibility of being undernourished.

Engaging in joyful movement also might look different from person to person depending on their desires, their body’s capabilities and their body size. That’s okay. That’s the beauty of HAES – exercise isn’t about following a certain set of rules or a laid out routine. It’s about finding movement that YOU enjoy and movement that enhances your health at that time. The types of movement you engage in can absolutely change as life circumstances change.

I think it’s important for me and anything else living in a culturally depicted “normal” sized body to recognize that me and you have thin privilege. And because of that, we don’t know what it’s like to be stigmatized and shamed because of our weight. With a lot of learning and self reflection I’ve come to realize that and I hope others can too. My heart completely empathizes with those of you who experience weight stigma and shame. Your journey with Health At Every Size (HAES) and intuitive eating (IE) will present more challenges than my journey because of our diet culture and fat phobic society and I hate that for you. What I do know is that I have devoted my career to the HAES mission and I’m continually advocating on your behalf.

Buffalo Sauce

Ever since I picked up a bottle of buffalo sauce to make buffalo chicken in our Instant Pot last week, I’ve been pouring it on almost everything. We eat a lot of Frank’s Red Hot and Cholula (more Frank’s because why is Cholula so $$?) but I now have a new favorite condiment. I’ve had buffalo sauce often in the past (hello buffalo chicken dip you are a dream) but I think I forget how much better it tastes to me than hot sauce. I don’t know what it is, but I’m into it. I made cheesy egg toast for breakfast a few times last week with buffalo sauce drizzled on top and it satisfied all my savory breakfast tastebuds. All I did was toast the bread, scrambled a couple eggs, then top with sharp cheddar and but the toast under the broiler for a few minutes until melty. Then drizzle on as much buffalo sauce as your heart desires.

Homemade Cold Brew

I’m talked about food a lot in these five thoughts, but that seems fitting. I’ve never made homemade cold brew before, but after being in Florida back in March and seeing my friend’s brother make it so easily, Nick and I decided this is going to be the summer we start making our own. The best part is, you actually don’t need to use super high quality beans to make high quality cold brew and cold brew experts (is that a thing?) actually suggest you save your really good beans for hot coffee. Nick got me this cold brew maker for my birthday and so far, it’s working out quite well. Highly recommend if you’re an iced coffee fan and you want to save a lot of dollas by not buying cold brew all summer long.

Goals for this Week

Each week I write down three goals for the week. Nothing is hard and fast, I’m trying to be gentler with myself and remember that it’s okay if somehow I got over ambitious and all three don’t get done. But having those three things at the front of my mind for the week, does help focus my time when I’m not seeing clients are doing blog writing. This week I’m hoping to record the first half of a new mini course I’m releasing soon on bridging the gap between medical diagnoses and the Health At Every Size/Intuitive Eating philosophies. I’m also hoping to do 5 hours of set aside time for learning/research. And lastly, I’m hoping to submit a speaking proposal. I tend to get overwhelmed and stressed with more defined goal setting than this (I know a lot of people would disagree, but that’s me) so if you do too, know that I’m with you.

What are a few things you want to accomplish this week?

Happy Monday!


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Filed Under: Favorite Things, Intuitive Eating, Weekend

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Comments

  1. Allison says

    May 14, 2018 at 8:59 am

    I really like these posts! And I love the idea of setting 3 goals for the week. I usually just have a crazy to do list in my head and a million reminders on my google calendar but I feel like narrowing it down would help me feel less crazy.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:33 pm

      It’s been so helpful for me 🙂

      Reply
    • James G. Tremper says

      November 26, 2019 at 4:18 am

      Dear, I’ve no doubts you’ve done some research while writing on GOALS FOR THIS WEEK. I would expect more of this in your next write-ups, so I could get help from your information to create some content for our followers and the website 2giaynu.

      Reply
  2. Jen says

    May 14, 2018 at 10:28 am

    Love the 3 goals idea!! I read someone said to write down 3 things each day that you did well so that will be one of my goals for the week (:. I’m a perfectionist always working to “do better” so changing focus from “what could I do better” to “what did I do right” is such a happier way to live (:

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:32 pm

      Love this input Jen!

      Reply
  3. Janelle says

    May 14, 2018 at 10:52 am

    I really enjoyed your post about ie in a bigger body . I am in a big body and don’t feel comfortable at all. I do want to lose weight but am refusing to go on a diet . Im trying to follow the principles of ie it’s hard . And even more hard to accept my body the way it is right now . But it’s a work in progress!! I couldn’t never go back to my dieting days the thought depresses me .

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:32 pm

      Janelle it IS HARD. Especially when usually diets do work in the short term, so it’s enticing but they always backfire
      Rooting for you in this journey that is so worth it!

      Reply
  4. Amber @ Bloom Nutrition Therapy says

    May 14, 2018 at 1:07 pm

    I think what you’ve said here about IE and being in a larger body speaks to it so well. So many times we assume because someone is in a larger body that they’re not taking care of their health, when in fact, they may be doing just that, as well as active and in better physical condition than a “normal” body. Just the opposite, starvation can occur in ANY shape of body. We must remember that starving yourself is a long, slow process. For many, if they’re already in a larger body the outward effects of starvation could take much longer to notice or show up when focusing on weight loss. That said, there are LOTS of other consequences that come with starvation even in those in larger bodies. The Biggest Loser study I think was one of the most influential at noting that the rigorous routine those individuals were put in was clearly detrimental to their body. However, because they were in larger bodies to begin with, the world congratulated and encouraged them in keeping up with the dangerous routine.

    Sidenote: I NEED that cold brewer!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      Thanks for your comment Amber!

      Reply
  5. Alisha says

    May 14, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    What’s your “recipe” for cold brew? Do you have a ratio of water to beans you prefer? My summer goal is to perfect my cold brew.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      here you are!
      https://www.kitchentreaty.com/how-to-make-cold-brewed-iced-coffee-concentrate/

      Reply
  6. Maureen says

    May 14, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    Thanks for sharing Robyn! Pro tip: a french press can double as a cold brew coffee maker too! Just put the water and coffee in the night before and set it in the fridge overnight. Hope it helps anyone who didn’t already know 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:27 pm

      had no idea!! Can you make concentrate with it??

      Reply
  7. Celia says

    May 14, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    Looking forward to your mini course about incorporating I.E. and HAES with medical diagnoses. I am a dietitian at a hospital working with inpatients and outpatients and I think this would be really helpful!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:26 pm

      I think you’ll find it helpful!!

      Reply
  8. Julianne Oliver says

    May 14, 2018 at 8:09 pm

    Mmmmm that toast! I’m hoping to keep making progress on my medical school app (submitting this month eek!) I also loved reading the labs post. The information you offer is so rich and accessible. I definitely hope to share easily accessible, but high quality, content like this one day!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      So glad you found it helpful Julianne!

      Reply
  9. Emily Swanson says

    May 14, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    What you said. I so appreciate this. It seems like our culture has made one size of body the ‘normal’ instead of allowing for EVERY single size and for health to be at different sizes. And your Momma Coale’s cooking looks as YUMMY as your cooking: I see where you get your knack for yummy cooking from! I haven’t had buffalo sauce in so long, but I do love the buffalo flavors.

    Reply
  10. Sarah Johannesen says

    May 14, 2018 at 9:17 pm

    Love your wise words!! Thin privilege has been on my heart recently, and it breaks my heart that our society is that way BUT I am with you in joining to fight for EVERY woman at EVERY size! 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      love your passion!

      Reply
  11. dixya @food, pleasure, and health says

    May 15, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    homemade cold brew is the bombdotcom.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      🙂

      Reply

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A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

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A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years o A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years of getting to spend so much time with my kids: aka another way I’m discovering some pockets of peace so my heart & mind & soul don’t crumble under the reality of dependent & emotionally dysregulated tiny humans.  About once a week we go somewhere for baked goods. We drive or walk, buy something buttery & then find a beautiful, relatively quiet outdoor spot where the boys can romp and I can sit and think my thoughts while I watch them play. This past week we were found ourselves at the Wool Factory where the boys threw rocks & whatever else off the bridge while I ate 90% of this almond 🥐 from @coucourachou that will blow your mind. Boys ate the other 10% bc they were busy playing and didn’t ask for more quickly enough 😜  I’m finding *for me* playgrounds have a time & place but they aren’t where I enjoy motherhood & my two toddlers the most. Baked goods & a pretty outdoor spot without high drops my 15 month old could launch himself off of…I’m here for it.
I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the boys to hike out at one of our favorite spots last week and when I ripped it open I was regretting my choice to share them with my kids. @baresnacks randomly sent me a box of snacks and I usually eat free food we receive or give it to a friend/neighbor and move on. But I felt it my duty to tell you about these bc they are THAT GOOD. I’m not getting paid and this isn’t sponsored - I was just shocked at how tasty these were and felt you needed to know. We ate them with some buttery roasted nuts and the combo was 👌🏻 but they are good just on their own.  The boys climbed rocks and swam in the reservoir - leave it to my almost 3 year old to want to strip down naked and fully submerge himself in chilly water on a sixty degree morning. “Mama can I get super nakey?” Sure baby. Sure. This is your childhood.
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I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoo I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoon (91 and muggy in MAY 🤯) when a toddler nap was refused and a baby nap was cut wildly short ....so my tired mom brain pulled out two plastic storage bins, filled them up with soap & hose water and striped ‘em down naked in the yard. Two hours later, it was almost time for an early dinner and I had magically been able to sit for most of that time and we already had baths checked off the list. 👍🏻 I’m archiving this idea for my future self, hope it helps another tired mama out.
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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