The Final Day of the IE Challenge

I can’t believe it’s already day 21 of the IE Challenge.

Unfortunately, there are only 21 days of the challenge, so today is the last day. But, instead of being gloomy as I read Jamie’s last morning email to me, I decided to focus on all that I’ve gained over the past 21 days.

I’ve learnt so much about myself and I’ve never felt more in tune with my body. It’s such a beautiful thing.

Earlier this week, Clare wrote a post about the 5 things she’s learnt throughout the IE Challenge and I thought it was a neat idea, so I’m going to do the same today

So, here are 5 things I’ve learnt throughout the 21 days of the IE Challenge!

1. It’s ok not to eat the minute after waking up.

I had a “rule” that I had to eat right after waking up. This rule applied even if I wasn’t hungry whatsoever. IE taught me that it is ok to wait until I am hungry to eat my breakfast.

2. It’s ok to snack and not consider it a “meal”.

I used to eat every three hours and if I got hungry before three hours, I had a really hard time allowing myself to snack. It seemed abnormal to me, so I would either force myself to wait until that third hour or I would eat and readjust my eating schedule accordingly so everything was three hours apart.

Things have changed now, though. Since the IE Challenge, I’ve learnt that it’s ok to allow myself to snack if I’m hungry. I don’t have to have a full meal. Instead, I can snack on some fruit or fruit and nut butter or anything that I want! Yesterday I was a little hungry midmorning, so I had a nectarine dunked in cashew butter. It tasted like heaven.

3. Food tastes better when you eat when you’re hungry. 

I was doing a lot of force feeding when I ate every three hours, so the majority of the time eating felt like a chore to me. Personally, I rather enjoy my food. Eating no longer feels like a chore to me thanks to the IE Challenge.

4. When I allow myself to eat whatever I want, whenever I want, I eat a lot of fruit.

That would be my “OMG this is so delicious” face

5. When you allow yourself to listen to and trust your body, it will provide you with what you need. 

This is probably the most amazing and most important lesson I learnt throughout the challenge. So important that I will devote an entire post to this one lesson

You’re just going to have to wait until next week, though

Of course I’ve learnt more than just 5 things throughout the IE Challenge. In fact, I’m pretty sure I could write an entire novel about all that I have learnt over the past 21 days, but we’ll save all of those other things for a later date. Many more IE related posts to come!

And who knows, maybe a novel will come in the future

A little bird keeps bugging me to write one…

Have a great day, lovies! I’m off to train shoulders and biceps at the gym soon and then have homework to do for the rest of the afternoon, but I will be back to give thanks on this Thankful Thursday! So, I’ll see you later <3

Don’t forget to submit your high fives, though! Tomorrow is HFF!

Tagged as: ie challenge, intuitive eating, recovery