Mindfulness Challenge Week 2: Eating and Mindfulness

How Eating and Mindfulness are Related:

Now that we understand what mindfulness is, we are going to learn how it ties together with eating. When we are mindfully eating, we are eating slowly and without distraction (i.e. no phones or TV!). We are listening to our physical hunger and fullness cues. We are aware of our hunger and non-hunger triggers for eating. You are allowing your senses to take in all of your food- taste, smells, textures, etc. You are aware and working on any guilt and/or anxiety you may have with food. You are eating not just for taste, but also to maintain your health and well-being. When we can accomplish these things, it has profound effects on our health- in fact, it has been shown to promote weight loss, reduce binge eating, and help you feel better.

Mindless vs. Mindful Eating:

The biggest issue comes when we eat mindlessly. In our society, mindless eating is encouraged- eat while you work, watch TV while you eat, look at your phone during meals. We ignore the food and don’t take the time to pay attention to what we are consuming. Here is an informative graphic comparing what mindless and mindful eating is:

Weekly Challenge:

Why Do You Eat? Mindful Eating Challenge

Why It’s Important: If we can’t ever learn to eat mindfully, we are setting ourselves up for failure in the long run- no matter how focused you are on the exercise or even diet portion. This just as vital as what you are eating.

Your Challenge: Complete the questionnaire below. Send an email numbered 1 to 28 with your answers to the questions. Your health coach will discuss your results (and what they mean) when you touch base this week.