Meditation is a great way to reduce stress, but did you know it can help with weight loss? You have all the tools you need to achieve your weight goals. You work up a good sweat in the gym and have proper nutrition at your fingertips, but you still can’t seem to kick those cravings.
When you take time to have balance and indulge, you find yourself binging and overeating. Your cravings seem uncontrollable, and you find it hard to find balance. What is the issue here? Your mindset isn’t right. Recruiting the mind-body connection through meditation and mindful eating can break down the obstacles you face with weight loss.
What is Meditation for weight loss
Meditation is a practice that involves focusing your attention on finding calmness and clarity. There are several forms of meditation, but when trying to focus on weight loss, mindfulness is best. Research has shown that mindful meditation helps with weight loss by making you aware of what you are eating leading to sustainable weight loss.
What is Mindful Meditation for Eating
Mindful eating helps to reduce cravings, prevent overeating, and replaces the need for comfort eating during stressful times through meditation. Meditation trains the mind to notice the emotions behind binge eating and helps you make a better decisions. In addition, you learn how to quiet your mind when cravings arise and put things into perspective. Daily meditation strengthens your commitment to exercise and progression with your goals.
How to Get Started
Meditation and mindful eating do not have to take up too much time from your day. By implementing simple tips, you can get started with a better path to weight loss.
Find a quiet place and focus
The next time you feel over-stressed or cravings take over, take a moment, and reconnect. Focus on your breathing and heartbeat. Tap into your thoughts and ask yourself why you’re feeling a certain way. “Do I need this?” “Is this stress something that is out of my control?” “Why do I feel this way?”
Eat slowly and take time to savor your food
Take time to appreciate the food you’re eating. Absorb the smells and presentation. Be thankful for the food you have, and get rid of any distractions. Research has shown that it takes 20 minutes for the body to realize it is full. Take your time and be satisfied.
Pay attention to how food makes you feel
When you are eating, think about your emotions during or after eating. We should be eating foods that nourish us and help us feel satisfied. If the food you eat makes you feel bloated, sick, tired, or lethargic, you may want to change the foods you eat.
Accept yourself as you are
Weight loss and fitness goals take time. We can be our own worst critics, and having gratitude for the good in our life will help us improve. Take 20 minutes to meditate and think positively. It can inspire you to make better decisions throughout the day.
Remove the shame and guilt
If you are an emotional eater, mindful meditation helps to curb that. People who use food to comfort stress or feel guilty for overeating can use meditation to reduce the stress related to these emotions. It will help you recognize what triggers you to eat to treat the source of the stress instead of eating. In addition, it lets you give yourself grace when you slip up, helping your mental wellness.
