What would your meals be like if you could anticipate them, look at them, smell them, hear them and savor them slowly? Using your senses to drop into the present moment--which is exactly where your body is at all times--is a great way to feel like you are getting more even though you may be eating less.
Mindful eating requires time and attention to detail. It requires putting down electronics and focusing on the experience, the people, the conversation and of course the yummy food. It requires slowing down between bites and thoroughly chewing and tasting what's in your mouth. It is a discipline not to rush through the meal just so that you can move on to the next thing. In fact, it might be the exact opposite of what you have been doing all day.
There are endless benefits to mindful living in all its forms--including mindful eating. In this case, you might get satisfied with less food if you eat more carefully. You might lose more weight for this reason alone. You might digest your food better if you eat it more slowly and deliberately. You might tune into your hunger and satiety cues with greater awareness, etc. etc.
The only thing standing between you and a twenty to thirty minute dinner at a table with a chair, free of distraction, is YOU. All the advice I share may sound great, but if you don't actually do something with it, then it's just another great idea instead of a tool for success.
School is back in session, and lots of WW members are back too. With fresh eyes in this new season, take a look around and notice what's changing. Notice what new veggies are showing up at the grocery store. Notice what colors are becoming more dominant. Notice what hot foods you might be in the mood for. With that, consider your meals to be nourishing opportunities. Consider your time away from your busy day at a table with a chair to be a necessary ritual to look forward to instead of rush through. Then, observe what you discover about your hunger, your enjoyment, your sense of satisfaction.
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