Heard of The Hunger Scale?

We posted yesterday about real hunger and emotional hunger. You saw it, right?

We’re all prone to emotional eating and mindless eating.

Have you heard of the hunger scale?

Are you in touch with your body – Do you know when you’re hungry and when you’re full? When to start eating, and when to stop?

It’s one of the fundamental weight loss mistakes – being out of touch with when we should eat, and more importantly when we should stop.

Using the hunger scale, and eating consciously and mindfully can help us re-learn our hunger signals and also the full alarm. It’s about slowing down and paying attention.

Never wait until you’re a 1 or a 2 to start eating. This is when all hell breaks loose, the kind where you get hangry, could eat an entire family of five, or become the proud owner of isle 8 in the supermarket.

Ideally you want to start eating when you’re at a 3, and stop eating around a 6 or a 7. Ideally a 6, but you can work on that.

Naturally slim people live in the 3-6 range.

Tricks to help you stay in this region are to eat a little slower, enjoy every single mouth full.  It takes your brain about 20 minutes to register that it’s full.

If you’re trying to lose some weight, try stopping a 5. If you’re happy with you’re weight, stop at a 6.

Your body will soon learn, and will soon become a natural habit of yours.

Fun Fact: Did you know that hunger is one of the initial signs of dehydration?

Think you’re hungry? Sip on a big glass of water and wait for 5-10 minutes. If you’re still feeling hungry afterwards, eat!