Meditation is a powerful tool. It can help you become more peaceful and focused, and even change habits. The practice of meditation is an ongoing journey in itself and it is not a one-type-fits-all practice. If your goal is weight loss, it is helpful to lean on meditation with an open mind. Try different times of day, different types and various lengths of meditation to find what resonates with you. Weight loss, for whatever purpose, can be a tough road, but below are ways meditation actually helps you lose weight:
Intention
The power of intention is an intense thing! There is a lot of information that supports how influential thoughts can actually be. Meditating on losing weight puts that intent and energy out there. Surrendering that intention to the Universe is not easy, and can often be scary, but enjoy the freedom of letting go. Be positive and be open to what the Universe can provide to you.
Motivation
Having a meditation routine to help lose weight keeps that idea alive. It brings that goal to the forefront of your mind, as well as your day. This makes it harder to forget. This will motivate you to keep going. Meditating creates a focus and concentration to your goal of weight loss. It is so easy to become distracted, but taking time out of your day to come back and meditate on weight loss, helps harbor that motivation daily!
Mindfulness
Mindfulness does differ from meditation, but they often go hand-in-hand. Meditating allows you to let go of the past and future. Perhaps there were failed attempts at weight loss before. Or maybe, you are experiencing anxieties about the future, like how to get rid of poor habits. Meditation allows you to be present. It lets you reside in the here and now. This helps you to slow down and experience your eating and food and be present with how your mind and body are feeling as you eat. It allows you to notice when you are full so you do not overeat or it can help you to see, that you are eating out of emotion rather than actual hunger.
Psychological Well-being
Meditation creates a sense of peace and purpose in a person. Taking time to slow down and connect with yourself has many benefits. The biggest benefit is that it lowers stress levels. Lowered stress does wonders for the body. It takes you out of the fight-or-flight mode, which can wreak havoc on your hormones. Out of balance hormones can cause you to gain weight. Stress can often lead to overindulgence in comfort foods and lack of motivation to work out. Meditation will allow you to be more mindful of your eating and activity, which creates loss of weight.
Meditation is a great tool, especially when trying to lose weight. It is something anyone can benefit from. And the best part is that there is no harm in trying! If anything, you at least created a little relaxation and silence in your day.
If weight loss is a goal of yours, then add a daily meditation practice that resonates with you.
Sit, be still, be present, breathe and meditate on it!
Image credit: Alyona Lezhava
