Do You Trust Your Gut?

Your gut is a lot smarter that you think. It knows what it needs and is giving you clues every minute of the day and night. Are you aware? Are you listening? When you learn to understand the language your body speaks, you will know what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat. You are the only one that can translate your body’s messages. Trust these messages – your body won’t let you down.

The “experts” will tell you that they have it all figured out! They teach you to weigh this… measure that… count this… avoid that and on and on. Some even go the extent of packaging the meals for you, so all you have to do is heat and eat. And, still our nation is getting bigger and bigger. Why?

With all the scientific breakthroughs we have had in the past century, why is this still so mystifying?

We have lost touch with our second brain. Yes, that’s right! A second brain… your gut! We have stopped listening to our bodies. We have become numb and don’t feel until something really hurts. We have lost touch with our greatest source… our inner wisdom.

Technically it is known as the enteric nervous system and it is in your gut. It has its own reflexes and senses and can control behavior without any help from the brain. In fact, an article from Scientific American, states that scientists have recently been shocked to learn that 90% of our information gets carried from the gut to the brain and not the other way around!

You know those butterflies in your stomach? They are your body’s way of communications with the brain. Ever had a “hunch” about something? Ever had a “gut” feeling about a situation? Again, this is your body talking to your brain.

How often do you pay attention to your gut instincts?

If you are like most people… not too often. We have been told by the media, by the experts and by our friends and family not to listen to and trust our gut. We are told to listen to the “experts,” whoever they are, because they know best.

Not true.

You are the expert for you! There is no one smarter than you when it comes to your own body. It’s just been a really long time since you’ve paid attention and you have lost your way. So how do you change that? How do you learn to listen and trust your gut?

First you must STOP. Just like what you were taught as a child when crossing the street.

Sounds easy enough?

Stop yourself long enough to check in and ask… what am I doing?

Next, look around and ask yourself… what is going on around me?

Then, listen to what your body is telling you.

Did you find yourself sitting in front of the television, checking your email on your iPad and eating your dinner? Or, were you stuck in traffic, on your cell phone and eating food out of a bag? If so, you are distracted and not in tune with what is going on with your body.

Here is a little experiment for you!

For one week follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Eat your meals at a table without any distractions… with the exception of your family.
2. Clear your mind of all your day’s stresses and choose to let your worries go for meal time.
3. Enjoy your meal.

If it is too big a challenge to follow these steps for all 3 meals… shoot for one meal a day!

This will give you some real insights into the clues your body is giving you about what it needs.

Here are some of the things you should pay attention to:

1. When do you start feeling “full” and not needing any more food?
2. Do you recognize when you are feeling hungry again or do you wait until you are ravenous?
3. Are you taking the time to really enjoy the flavor of your food?How are you feeling once you have completed your meal? Are you content and satisfied? Hungry and looking for more? Stuffed, bloated and miserable?
4. Notice your energy level a few hours after you meal.

Start to become a detective… listen to your body and start to de-code the clues your body is sending you. This will help you become extremely aware of the messages your body is giving you.

Next week you will learn the next step in learning the language of your body.

Stay tuned!