No I haven’t switched career and become a Nutritionist or Dietician, however I am volunteering on my local Gym’s 8 week challenge as the “expert” in how our minds can get in the way of achieving important health goals. Most people know I am a big fan of Mindfulness, and finding activities in your daily or weekly routine that you can make “Mindful”. This involves focussing on an activity, noticing when your mind starts over thinking, and bring yourself back to the activity. Mindfulness activities helps us build resilience with unhelpful thinking, where we can notice the thought, “make room for it”, and continue with our day and pursue what is important to us.
Most of us have to eat every day, so why not try Mindful eating? Also lots and lots of evidence (and books) now that Mindful Eating leads to less eating! So go after what you want and lose weight! Attached is the flyer I provided to our Challenge participants.
In summary:
1. Don’t eat at your desk or in front of the TV
2. Look at your food
3. Notice your food through all your 5 senses (what does is look and smell like, how does it feel when you slowly eat every morsel, what does it taste and sound like)
4. When your mind goes off doing it unhelpful thing again, bring it back to the 5 senses of eating.
Give it a try and let me know how you go!
mindful-eating-principles