Yeah, yeah, yeah – mindful this and mindful that … give me a “mindful” break.
Ever thought that?
With visions of people in a lotus position – “ohhhming” – all day, I frankly didn’t used to understand what mindful really was.
A little enlightenment – pun intended – helped me appreciate how “mindful” has supplanted so many other words:
My Noom experience since February of this year has lead me to more than just a 20 pound loss in weight; it has opened up a world of understanding and mindfulness in countless aspects of my life.
With holiday and special event eating temptations already calling to us like sirens from the deep, a reminder about the whys and wherefores of eating could do us all some good.
According to Noom, there are four kinds of eating:
Fuel Eating – When we are seeking food that will “do my body good.” Think clean protein, veggies, fruit, high fiber starch – without added fats and sugars.
Joy Eating – When foods delight our palate and soul. For many of us, this kind of food has become very different from foods that will, “do our body good.” Sure, it might be great to eliminate such eating, but realistically, it’s going to happen. Just make sure it’s not more than 10% of our consumption.
Fog Eating – This is mindless grazing and munching on whatever is around. This can be easily controlled and modified by eliminating candy dishes, junk food cupboards, and replacing what is available with healthier alternatives. Asking ourselves why we are eating – being mindful – may reveal a lack of hunger (fuel needs) so we can remove ourselves to do another activity while we’re fogging-out. Think a walk to the mailbox, playing with the dog, or taking a few minutes to move and stretch.
Storm Eating – Results from a psychological response to a situation, or from food denial. Think eating to excess, knowing you are doing it, and then beating yourself up about it later. I have found that eating a consistent diet of fuel foods, coupled with mindful and measured joy foods on occasion, help lower any desire to this, “I don’t care, I’ve been good too long and I deserve to go off the deep end,” kind of eating altogether.
So, WHY are you eating and what can you DO about it?
Being mindful-
Deidre