Mayuko Okai
An intuitive eating coach’s perspective on eating in silence, letting go of comparison, and nourishing yourself in a way that is joyful.
Words: SARAH MAGIDOFF
Photographs : TWIN FLAME PHOTOGRAPHY
HOW DO YOU DEFINE INTUITIVE EATING, AND HOW DOES THIS APPROACH DIFFER FROM OTHER DIET PRACTICES?
MO: IE is the antidote to dieting. It’s taking a step back, letting go of expectations of how we should eat and how we should look. IE is a great method for individuals with disordered eating and for those who would like to be more connected with their body. It allows you to really tune into your body so you can learn how to nourish yourself, without being influenced by the ever changing external information.
COULD YOU GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF AN INTUITIVE EATING PRACTICE, AND THE TYPE OF RESULT WE MIGHT ACHIEVE?
MO: Mindful eating, which is like meditation, is a great tool that allows you to communicate with your body and understand what it needs. By paying close attention to your eating process, you can truly taste the food, notice your body’s reaction to the food, and eat the amount that’s right for you because you’re paying attention to your fullness and satisfaction. Your food choices and the way you take care of your body will likely improve.
WHAT ARE SOME SIMPLE INTUITIVE EATING PRACTICES OR ROUTINES THAT MIGHT SUPPORT A BUSY ENTREPRENEURIAL LIFESTYLE?
MO: Setting boundaries is important. Block meal times so that your meals are prioritized rather than pushed aside because of a meeting. At meal times, eat at a designated space or clear your desk. Refrain from checking your email or working as you eat.
I ONCE READ AN INSTAGRAM POST OF YOURS WHERE YOU DESCRIBED MINDFULLY EATING A PIECE OF BIRTHDAY CAKE. YOU TOOK NOTE OF ITS FLAVOR, TEXTURE, COLOR, EVEN THE PLEASURE OF THE EXPERIENCE. I WAS IMPACTED BY HOW THE PRACTICE OF MINDFULNESS CAN HELP US SHIFT FOCUS FROM GUILT TO JOY. SO MANY ENTREPRENEURS FEEL GUILT FOR TAKING TIME OFF WORK. DO YOU THINK THIS IS A PRACTICE WE COULD USE TO BETTER ENJOY REST AND TIME AWAY FROM WORK?
MO: Absolutely! First of all, we place so much guilt and shame around eating dessert. Why do we indulge in “bad” food when we’re celebrating?
I think there are parallels between Intuitive Eating and your work philosophy through Slow Entrepreneur - you first. I think entrepreneurship and career can be compared to dieting. We push ourselves to achieve a certain goal to gain “success” and “happiness.” We compare ourselves to others, which is far from healthy. We look at successful entrepreneurs and runway models and believe that if we tried enough, we could be like them. That all we need is discipline and if we don’t achieve financial success or a skinny body, then we can’t be happy. But what if our happiness isn’t about being a certain weight or achieving financial goals?
With that said, listen to your body, rest when you need to, take social media breaks, and nourish yourself and move your body in a way that is joyful to you.
HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY PRACTICE SLOWING DOWN IN THE WORKPLACE? WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU ENJOY WHEN NOT WORKING?
MO: I’m currently on a social media detox and it’s great!
There was definitely FOMO going into it but once I started, it’s so liberating! I love nature and just moved to the countryside of Japan so I get to go hiking, walking, and tend to the garden.
I also realized that being online too much was isolating and depressing. So I make a conscious effort to connect to the local community - meeting up with friends, participating in rice making, and attending in person events.
The coaching industry makes it seem like we’re on this liberating path against the normal 9-5 hamster wheel. But it’s just another way to make us feel like we have to accumulate financial abundance in order to be happy. I’m challenging my beliefs about entrepreneurship. I want to make sure that I work in a way that truly makes sense to me.
IT SEEMS THAT THE PRACTICE OF INTUITIVE EATING CENTERS ON TUNING-IN TO OUR BODIES AND RESPONDING, WITH CARE, BY MEETING ITS NEEDS. I WONDER HOW THIS SAME PRACTICE OF PAUSING, TUNING-IN, AND MEETING OUR BODIES’ NEEDS MIGHT TRANSFORM THE WAY WE WORK. COULD USING AN INTUITIVE OR MINDFUL APPROACH CREATE HEALTHIER WORKPLACES AND WORKING HABITS?
MO: Yes, when I work with people on Intuitive Eating, we look at the big picture. Work life balance is a big topic. I emphasize setting boundaries - in relationships, work hours, lunch time, etc. At home, I emphasize morning and evening routines which allow you to set up for success - meaning feeling grounded and nourished.
IT SEEMS THAT THE WAY WE EAT OR CONSUME CAN REFLECT THE WAY WE FEEL. SIMILARLY, THE WAY WE WORK CAN REFLECT OUR SENSE OF SELF-WORTH. FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE EXPERIENCING A NEGATIVE SENSE OF SELF-WORTH MIGHT FEEL PRESSURED TO HUSTLE NON-STOP, WHILE A PERSON EXPERIENCING A POSITIVE SENSE OF SELF-WORTH MIGHT CREATE HEALTHFUL BOUNDARIES AROUND THEIR TO-DO LIST. WHAT AFFIRMATION MIGHT YOU GIVE AN OVERWORKED ENTREPRENEUR, OR HOW MIGHT WE RESPOND LOVINGLY TO OUR BODIES WHEN FEELING THE PRESSURE TO HUSTLE NON-STOP?
MO: I have personally been victim to this negative self-worth and the need to hustle. Over the years, I’ve exercised my intuition and know to listen to my body. My body will experience pain or even go out of commission if I ignore it too long.
I would observe where my negative self-worth is coming from. Are you subconsciously comparing yourself to “successful” entrepreneurs on your social media feed? Is it not giving yourself credit for all of what you have done instead of focusing on what isn’t done?
Go back to your core values and your purpose and make sure that your workstyle is aligned.
WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL PRACTICES FOR INTUITIVE AND MINDFUL EATING? WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU ENJOY FROM THOSE PRACTICES?
MO: I like to practice mindful eating outside. This way it’s easier for me to stay away from my phone or TV. Plus, it makes the meal experience much more enjoyable.
In my workshop and retreats, we eat mindfully in silence together. It’s a really nice change to truly focus on eating. I encourage families to practice mindful eating together, even with small children!
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU HAVE AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE WANTING TO BEGIN A PRACTICE OF INTUITIVE EATING?
MO: I have a 90 day Intuitive Eating program called Food Liberation 2.0, which can be done as a private coaching program or a self-study course. Both options come with membership to the Food Liberation community where you can be supported with others on the food liberation journey.
If you’re an emotional eater you can start with my free workshop on my website. I also have a journal in the works that will be published at the end of August!
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU?
www.Food-liberation.com
www.instagram.com/mayukookai.rd
Mayuko is a Registered Dietitian, yoga teacher, and founder of Food Liberation: a coaching program that helps mindful individuals heal their relationship with food and body.