A while ago I slipped into a not-so-mindful habit … I was multitasking while I was eating. And by that I mean, I wasn’t paying attention to the food going into my mouth and instead was focused on my phone.. or the TV… or the computer. WHOOPS!
I know I am not alone in this.
It’s something most of us do almost daily. We do it to save time, keep ourselves entertained, and just out of habit. But when I realized what was happening – I made a really important connection with my new “habit” and my energy.
That’s because when I was distracted, I barely NOTICED or TASTED anything I was eating. When you consider that it takes about 20 minutes for our bodies to send “I’m full” cues to your brain, you can quickly see how easy it is to overeat. Not to mention, you end up ignoring how the food makes you FEEL – physically and emotionally.
Plus, instead of eating because we’re hungry, we can start to rely on outside cues like our emotions or because we see or smell tasty foods. Or even because it’s a certain time (think dessert after dinner even when you’re full), or for entertainment’s sake, or to relieve boredom or other emotions.
This is where mindful eating comes in.
Basically, it’s simply slowing down and really paying attention when you eat. Here are the basics. Just pick one meal and:
- Turn off the TV and put your phone out of reach.
- Eat slowly, taking time to chew and taste each bite.
- Focus on how your body feels with each bite.
- Stop eating when you’re full.
- And also, before and after you eat, note – without judgment – whether you are truly hungry, and whether what you just ate benefits your health, goals, and your well-being.
When you start to tune in, you’ll probably notice that your habits and food preferences begin to change …and you’ll begin to make choices that help you feel better and reach your goals faster.
You don’t have to do this with EVERY meal. Just start with one a day and see what happens.
To get something different, you have to DO something different!
At Fitness Lifestyle Personal Training, we know that stepping out of your comfort zone (even just a tiny step!) can feel UNcomfortable.
We’ve got you covered. We have built-in support and accountability … along with our proven plan to help make your journey faster and easier… and FUN. Schedule a consultation if you’d like to find out more about how we can help you reach your goals!
Live today with intention!
What’s YOUR version of 100%?
What if you woke up tomorrow and decided to give the day your VERY BEST?
3 lists to make…
Happy New Year! A lot of us nowadays are doing something that doesn’t do us (or the world!) any favors: We play small.
BONUS: 2 quick “do-anywhere” workouts
Something happens when you miss a scheduled workout… Once that door gets opened, all your hard-won motivation can slip outside. And next thing you know, you’re skipping future workouts, too.
“I just can’t get motivated”
Here’s something I hear a lot… “I just can’t get motivated.” Or another one… “I’m going to start working out again when I get my motivation up.” I get it… but I also know a secret that I **reallyreallyreally** want YOU to know, too.
