Eating MindFully
We all love to eat!
Do you eat out of boredom, or when you’re exhausted or because you’re feeling hungry?
Feel confused about what to eat?
Do you ever feel guilty or happy after eating certain foods?
Are you one of those Yo Yo dieters constantly on a diet or off a diet….?
Mindfulness has become a common buzz word and is associated with meditation, but Mindful Eating is about focusing on food in a positive way and empowering your food choices and habits.
Eating mindfully is a personal journey, bringing your own experiences, thoughts and feelings to the table.
I know so many people who are successful at work, juggle work home balance, great with their kids but struggle to eat healthily or lose weight successfully.
Why you might ask? Do they lack self discipline or willpower?
No is the answer most of the time. But they have lost the ability to recognise how they feel when they are eating and listen to their body in the midst of busy lives.
Do you know someone who seems to eat whatever they like, when they like and can eat a cream cake at 3pm every day and not put on weight! They don’t follow the latest diet craze or count calories at each meal. So, what’s their secret?
Have you noticed they will eat at any time of the day?
They will be happy to leave the last mouthful of lasagna on their plate or say no to the last slice of dessert looking lonely on the table.
Mind- less Eating
When your energy levels are low, you will get those tell-tale signs of hunger telling you to eat and when your energy levels rise your thermostat gives you a gentle signal you are full and need to stop eating. If you miss that signal and carry on eating crossing over that invisible line you can end up over fueling your body and feeling discomfort. Have you ever had the urge to loosen that top button on your trousers!!
Babies are born with that instinctive ability to eat until their fuel levels are just right and will turn their head away from the teat telling you they’ve had enough.
Toddlers will push food away or simply throw the food on the floor when they’re full.
But so many Adults have lost that instinctive ability to recognise when they are satisfied and when they are full after eating a meal.
Were you told by your Dad to finish all your dinner or you couldn’t leave the table?
Were you reminded by your Grandma that there were poor children in the world who would be grateful to have your broccoli and wouldn’t waste it or say they didn’t like it?
Top Tips to eating Mind- fully
Next time you eat take a pause and ask yourself how you’re feeling in that moment
When you finish, your meal, take a moment to reflect on how you feel afterwards
Are you feeling hungry, or are you feeling satisfied or are you feeling full?
Say Yes to a Healthier Happier You!
If you enjoyed reading this blog, you may enjoy other blogs in this series.
If you are feeling stuck why not book in for a complimentary chat with me.