As I walked to the train after a long day of work I felt this urge to buy a snack. I actually played the scene in my head of buying a snack. However, I paused. I asked myself ‘Is this hunger or habit?’
I kept walking. I have learned to be ok with the sensation in my stomach that we immediately seem to react to by eating something. If you just pause and pay attention to the feeling in your stomach, you may decide that the feeling is not one of your body signaling you to eat, but rather a signal from your body that it is in balance and relaxed.
The human gut is full of nerves and has been called the second brain. Perhaps the feeling that we often confuse as hunger is actually a time when the gut is not being overwhelmed by the duty to digest and instead has the opportunity to add to the intelligence of the body.
Instead of interpreting that slight burning sensation as hunger panes, interpret it as energy or as fire…the fire in your belly. Feel how it actually brings you more awareness.
I intermittent fast daily. The fasting feeling feeds me now. When I get up and drink only coffee and some spices, I look forward to “feeling hungry” as this is what energizes me.
So, next time you are walking along and you feel that little hunger burn in your stomach ask yourself “Is it hunger or habit?” then walk on feeling energized by the aliveness in your belly.
Living the Keto Tao.