Changes in Eating, Eating Behaviors, and Weight Because of Program Use
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HOLIDAY
Participants reported experiencing changes in a variety of areas in their lives that they attributed to the program. Eating and improvements in their relationship with food was the most endorsed. They explained that they experienced a higher capacity to manage binge eating, food craving, and be present while eating:Before I started using the app, I wouldn’t really think about it. I’d pause whatever I was doing, and I would go into the kitchen and just look for food without any real thought process, I want to eat. The app forced me to…Say I was watching a show, I like to binge-watch shows. I would pause the show and I’d be like EAT, well wait why? Well, why eat? And then be like okay, bored more so than hungry. Some also detailed the lifestyle changes they had made because of the program, including meal prepping, healthier buying behaviors, substitution, and cooking healthier holiday meals. Some participants noted losing weight as well as reframing their relationship with weight and body toward a more caring, nonshaming approach:Simply just to slow down and really think about why I’m eating, if I’m really hungry or thirsty, if I just need to ride out the cravings. Having a bite or two of ice cream instead of a bowl is fine. Or if I’m craving sweets, I can have an apple. Those tips that came through on the app were really helpful.I think the other piece that was really big was like getting in touch with the feelings of discomfort that come with overeating like that disenchantment part which is so like logical like duh. I don’t think I had really spent time feeling what that’s physically like in my body versus just like guilt or shame or judgment.