The practice of mindfulness and weight loss success go hand-in-hand. Think about the last time you sat down on the sofa with a pint of ice cream or bag of chips, ready to watch a sporting event or your favorite TV show. What happened? Chances are you sat there with the intention of just having a few bites, but somehow your entire snack disappeared. That is what happens when you aren’t being mindful and aware of what you are eating, and this can really stunt your efforts for weight loss.
When you aren’t mindful about what you are putting in your mouth it is easy to ignore the negative nutritional content, the small portion sizes and even the general distaste you may have for the product. We have all been there: you sit down and have one chip and think “eh, these aren’t that great.” But then you start watching TV and, despite your neutral feeling towards the snack, you’ve suddenly eaten more than your fair share after just a few minutes.
When you increase your mindfulness as you eat you no longer tend to overeat or consume snacks you don’t even enjoy. By being more aware of everything that you eat you gain greater control over your diet. You might find that it is actually easier to say no to snacks that would have previously been tempting. Increase your eating mindfulness, and weight loss will likely increase as well.
Enhancing Mindfulness in All Aspects of Your Day
The link between mindfulness and weight loss isn’t the only thing gained from becoming more mindful. Your work, your attitude and even your exercise habits can benefit from increased consciousness. We are all multitaskers. We eat while we drive; we talk while we type; and we even are guilty of trying to get work done or watch TV while we exercise at the gym.
This chronic attitude of doing everything at once has our minds split. We rarely focus completely on anything that we are doing, and even when we are doing something we enjoy our minds are often elsewhere.
Increasing your mindfulness can help you manage your stress as you work out, eat healthier and enjoy spare time with family and friends. All you need to do is take a step back and force your mind to slow down! The next time you are hungry, take a step back and think about what you are hungry for. Come to a full understanding of your hunger before deciding what you are going to eat. Instead of sitting down at the TV or taking your food to go, sit down at a table and eat in peace and quiet. This way you can think about every bite before you take it and won’t be distracted.
If you can’t ignore the TVs at the gym then go for a jog outside instead. Take deep breaths and listen to yourself breathe as you run or walk. Notice every tree, pebble and passerby that you come across. Be fully aware that you are outside exercising. Think about the way the sun feels on your skin, where you are sweating and if your breath is getting faster or slower. Being extra conscious of your movements while you are working out can help you increase the intensity of your workout and relieve more stress by helping you clear your mind.
Multitasking is great, but there is a time and a place. Increasing your mindfulness is a great way to stay motivated and on track with your weight loss goals. Give yourself a break and live in the moment for once. You might be surprised how much you like life in the here-and-now.
If you would like further help in increasing both mindfulness and weight loss success contact us today in Guntersville at 256.571.8734 or in Albertville at 256.840.5547.
Also visit our Bariatric Surgery Guide to learn about type of bariatric surgery offered at My Destination Weight Loss.
