Getting to Know Your Eating System: A Parts Mapping Demo

<p>You may remember that a couple weeks ago, in <span class= "ml-rte-link-wrapper" data-redactor-span="true"><a href= "https://www.yourweightisnotyourworth.com/podcast-1/55">episode 55</a></span> of the podcast, we talked about a technique called Parts Mapping.  This is something that we do in IFS (Internal Family Systems), the therapy/coaching modality that I use with my clients (and with myself!).</p> <p>With Parts Mapping, we can get to know all of the parts of us that are leading us to and away from food, which gives us a much greater understanding of <em>why</em> we do what we do.  And when we know why, we can make the kind of changes that actually make sense--and that last.  </p> <p>For example, you may have a part that comforts you with food, one that diets regularly, one that binge eats, one that rebels against dieting, one that's critical of your body--the list can go on.  All of these parts make up what I call your Eating System.  And getting to know these parts and how they interact together is the most effective way to understand and change your eating patterns.</p> <p>On this week's episode, I'm lucky enough to do a Parts Mapping exercise with Sister Mary, a fantastic human being who volunteered to demonstrate this process.  I am so incredibly grateful that she allowed me to do this and share it with you!</p> <p>In the demo, we start by mapping out many of the parts in Sister Mary's Eating System.  We then focus on another group of parts that tend to binge eat.  Sister Mary had initially believed that she had just one binge eating part, but when we dove in a bit, she realized that it was actually a group of five!  Although that might seem overwhelming, it was actually calming to Sister Mary to have this clarity.  She can now begin the process of getting to know these parts so that she can truly give them what they need (which likely isn't food!).  </p> <p>You will notice that Sister Mary is already familiar with IFS, so we were able to get into things pretty quickly.  She shares that she has already