Standing Tall with Intuitive Eating: Confidence from the Inside Out
For as long as I can remember, my mom and dad would tell me, “Stand up straight!” At the time, it felt like one of those endless reminders parents give, but I have to admit — I’m really glad they did. I’m 5’9”, and I genuinely love being tall. These days, my son and daughter both tower over me (when did that happen?), but when I pull my shoulders back and hold my head high, I feel grounded, capable, and strong — like I can take on the world, even if it’s just in my imagination.
What’s funny is, standing tall has nothing to do with how I look, my body size, or how attractive I appear to anyone else. It’s about how I feel. There’s a quiet energy and confidence that rises when I literally hold myself up. And over time, I’ve realized: that same kind of inner strength shows up in how I relate to food and my body — especially through intuitive eating.
Good posture isn’t just about appearances. Sure, standing tall can make you look more confident, but it also affects the way your muscles engage, your breathing, your digestion — even how your face looks. When you slouch, your spine curves, your shoulders roll forward, and your internal organs (especially your gut!) get compressed. That compression can lead to bloating, slower digestion, and even long-term inflammation. On the other hand, standing with proper posture helps your body align and function better — from head to toe.
That same kind of alignment — being in sync with your body — is exactly what intuitive eating is all about.
Intuitive eating is standing tall on the inside. It’s holding your ground when the world around you is full of diet noise and food rules. It’s trusting your body’s signals — hunger, fullness, satisfaction — and making choices that honor you. When you practice intuitive eating, you’re literally choosing to listen, respect, and respond with care. It’s not about looking a certain way; it’s about feeling connected to yourself.
When I choose to eat what satisfies me, when I pause to ask how hungry I am or how a meal made me feel, I’m aligning with myself in the same way I align my spine when I stand tall. And just like posture, intuitive eating takes awareness and a little practice — but the benefits are long-lasting. You feel more grounded, less reactive. More in tune, less at war with your body.
So yes, stand tall. Not just with your posture, but in your choices. In how you feed yourself. In how you show up for your body each day. Whether you’re sitting down for a meal or walking through life, that quiet confidence you feel when you trust yourself? That’s powerful.
And you deserve to feel it — inside and out. As a licensed Clinical Behavioral Therapist and Intuitive Eating Counselor, I’m here to help you integrate these practices into your life. If you're interested in working with me, feel free to reach out at rachel@livehealthynyc.com