How Meditation Can Help You Lose Weight

Weight loss has been part of our lives for ages. From our parents to our grandparents, we’ve always had that need to lose a bit of belly fat, arm fat, or want to tuck in certain parts of our body so that we look better in a dress or a suit.

Weight loss is when we reduce our body weight, commonly by losing body fat. This can be done with a combination of exercise, changes in our diet, and lifestyle habits.

To achieve the perfect weight the most important thing to do is create a calorie deficit, consuming fewer calories than you usually do. The main aim is to consume fewer calories than you burn.

Another aid to consider is taking some healthy supplements to boost your weight loss. You could also try apple cider vinegar gummies for weight loss that have been gaining popularity recently.

What is meditation?

Its practice that incorporates training your mind to be present and focused in the moment. It is often used for relaxation, improving overall well-being, and stress reduction.

Meditation comes in many forms and different techniques but the core of the procedure involves cultivating a state of calm and quiet in your mind and also having a focused awareness. This can be commonly achieved by a number of techniques such as exercises, deep breathing, visualisation, or repeating a phrase.

Its has been around for thousands of years in many spiritual traditions and cultures. We recently have seen its popularity in the Western world as a secular practice to promote physical and mental health.

If done regularly, has a range of benefits such as: reducing stress and anxiety,  increasing focus and concentration, improving sleep, and promoting overall feelings of your well-being.

Meditation also comes in different forms and it’s important to find a technique that resonates with me and fits your goals and lifestyle. Some popular forms of meditation include guided meditation, loving-kindness meditation, transcendental meditation, and mindfulness meditation.

Meditation and weight loss

Meditation is a trend that has recently grown through practices such as yoga. Your efforts around eating and exercising may assist with weight and blood pressure, but we have something more that could help: meditation.

Practice of finding calm and clarity by focusing your attention. This can help with lowering high blood pressure and managing stress which are common factors in overeating.

Ultimately, meditation potentially supports weight loss by assisting with improving mindfulness, reducing stress, and promoting healthy eating habits.

Stress is a well-known factor in weight gain and creates difficulty when trying to lose weight.  When we’re stressed, our bodies produce cortisone, a hormone that increases our appetite and promotes the storage of excess fat. Meditation has been seen over the years to reduce these cortisone levels and assists with reducing stress-related eating, supporting your weight loss efforts.

Meditation helps with improving mindfulness or the ability to be aware in the moment and to be present. Mindfulness assists to reduce emotional eating and increases awareness of hunger, satiety, and cues. This means you are more mindful of your food choices and can control your potions.

Additionally, meditation can support healthy eating habits by reducing any cravings for unhealthy food.  It can increase the awareness of your body which is crucial to be more in tune. When we are more in tune with our bodies and the signal they give us, we are less likely to make bad health choices.

How to meditate for weight loss

Here are a few ways we discovered can help you lose weight as you meditate:

1. Find a comfortable and quiet space where you won’t be distracted while meditating. Use a meditation cushion or a chair that supports posture.
2. Create an intention for your meditation such as improving mindfulness, reducing stress, and supporting your weight loss.
3. Start with deep breathing exercises to assist with calming your mind and relaxing your body. At this point, you might want to count your breaths or focus on how your breath moves in and out of your body.
4. As thoughts arise to distract you, acknowledge them without passing any judgement, and gently guide yourself back to your breath and your intention for that meditation.
5. Use visualisation techniques that support your weight loss goals. For example, you could visualise yourself making healthy food choices or engaging in a regular exercise activity.
6. Practice gratitude by reflecting on things in your life that you’re grateful for. This also helps with promoting positive emotions and reducing stress, supporting weight-loss efforts.
7. Aim to meditate for at least 5 to 10 minutes each day and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable.

Other strategies to combine with meditation for weight loss

Remember these strategies that also aid weight loss as you meditate:

• Eating a nutritious and balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Avoiding overeating and monitoring portion sizes.
• Engaging in regular physical activity such as cycling, walking, jogging, or strength training.
• Getting enough sleep and managing stress levels, which can affect hormone levels and impact weight loss efforts.
• Seeking support from family, friends, or a healthcare professional to help maintain accountability and motivation.

It’s also important to remember that weight loss is a gradual process and a sustainable weight occurs over time through a consistent lifestyle. Consulting a healthcare professional could also assist with creating a personalised weight loss plan that is effective and safe for your health and needs.

The verdict

An important factor in weight loss that we discovered is that of a calorie deficit. This just simply means you consume less calories than your body burns in a day. Meditation alone is not a magic solution, but can be an extremely helpful tool in approaching weight loss and stabilising your mind to accept a calorie deficit. Remember it is important to consult a healthcare professional before you start on any weight loss programs or even incorporate meditation.