"Zone In" to Lose Weight

You know what it is to zone out. Maybe you do it at work. You might find yourself doing it while you drive, and you certainly zone out in front of the TV. I’ll bet you also do it when you’re eating. Believe it or not, it’s important to pay attention when you eat, because zoning out when you eat can make you FAT!

Sounds crazy, right? Why should it matter if I read the paper while I eat breakfast, or eat my lunch as I work at my computer? What’s the difference if I have dinner in front of the TV? The difference is added poundage.

Here’s what happens. There’s a connection between the mind and the body when it comes to eating. First, when you’re not present when you eat, you can miss the signals from your brain that say “ok, that’s enough. I feel good.”  

“Uh hey, I’m kind of stuffed here.”

“Wow, I didn’t know our stomach could hold that much food!!”

In the end, you eat too much which is never a good thing. You feel uncomfortable, you sit around to digest all that food, and then the extra calories are stored as fat.                

There’s something else at play here when you’re a zoned out eater. Because you’re not paying attention to the fact that you’re eating, you often don’t feel satisfied, almost as if you didn’t eat. Then guess what happens. Yep, you want something else to eat. The result is the same – you eat too much.

It’s a simple fact. You overeat, you’re gonna get fat.

So how about trying a little experiment? The next time you have a meal, put away the newspaper, turn off the TV and ignore all your electronics.

I know this is hard but you can do it.

Breathe deeply to relax yourself. Now look at the plate of food in front of you. Show gratitude for your food in whatever way is comfortable for you. Notice the colors, the smells, the textures. Eat your meal slowly and savor every mouthful, putting your fork down between bites. Notice yourself chewing your food.

When you no longer feel hungry, stop eating. Don’t wait until you are full or worse, stuffed. By being present and eating slowly, you give your body time to register that you’ve had enough, and you actually hear the message.

The first time I tried this, I realized that I had probably never eaten this way before. It was a true wake-up call for me but it’s working. I find myself eating less, and feeling more satisfied. 

Try it and let me know what you experience. Eating is a huge part of our lives and it should be enjoyed. How can you enjoy it if you’re zoned out?

_______________________________________________

See Reset To Health at www.facebook.com/resettohealth
or visit www.resettohealth.co