newmeadow wrote: »

My experience with mindfulness and associated meditative techniques is that they're really good for relieving immediate mental stressors, like free floating anxiety. They aid in strengthening the ability to concentrate and think in a more organized fashion. Emotions are more easily reined in with a regular practice, so the character is strengthened in that way.

But I was often lulled into the false belief that mindfulness and it's associated practices would assist in regulating my disordered eating (addictive, compulsive). It didn't. It didn't make me not want to eat the foods low carbers avoid and it didn't help me control the intake of those foods once they crossed my lips.

I've been tripped up into thinking yoga, meditation and other mystical techniques would cure me of compulsive gluttony. So many times.

I now use a complete abstinence approach to the eating of sweet and starchy carbs and also exclude all grains.

I just mention this to caution anyone who struggles with food the way I do. Mindfulness is wonderful for lots of things but it doesn't automatically regulate compulsive overeating disorders or quell cravings for sweet/starchy foods. So if you're doing well abstaining, I would strongly advise: Don't alter your path.

The women who write these mindfulness books and author mindfulness websites and webinars usually don't come from a history of significant obesity nor, in my opinion, are they geared for people who have a disordered relationship with food and eating.

I know not everyone here has an obesity history or a disordered relationship with food and eating though, so maybe a book or a website like this could be helpful for them.

slimzandra wrote: »

There are so many things in my life that are out of control and cause me stress. The one thing I can control is my reaction to it. I am in the process of trying to feel better about myself and the cards I've been dealt. While losing weight over the past 3 months and eating LCHF has certainly had a huge impact on my mental outlook, I still need to find a healthy way to deal with all this stress, anxiety and constant feeling of sadness and that looms over me. I've talked to professionals and friends and I journal my feelings. I still have those days, when I feel I could burst into tears at any moment. I don't think anti-depressants or medication is the way to go for me, my problem isn't a chemical imbalance, it's just that my life just SUX right now and I believe any logical person would feel the same way or worse! I should feel grateful for all the positive things I do have, but the negativity and demands around me sometimes feel overwhelming. Life is a journey, I am still exploring what course I need to take towards happiness. I'm hoping information in the next 4 weeks helps give me more insight. Should be interesting.

It was the first time I think I have ever successfully meditated. And I did it twice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEG4ooN6aFk

I was so frustrated with the first one overall that I haven't gotten back to the second one, which came out yesterday...

radiii wrote: »

It was the first time I think I have ever successfully meditated. And I did it twice.

This is awesome I have to reply when I see folks talk using the word "successful' though, because I think it speaks to the single most important thing that I've learned in studying mindfulness. I see a lot of people saying "I can't do it right", *usually* this is in regards to having some sort of targeted focus (typically on your breathing) for meditation and feeling unable to stay on track and getting distracted from that focus and feeling like you're doing it wrong as a result.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEG4ooN6aFk <-- I really love this channel. The guided meditations on it don't work for me at all, but she has a *lot* of 3-5 minute videos that casually address topics of mindfulness and I think every single one of them is good. This one is a HUGE one though for a lot of folks.


Speaking from my own understanding, there is no way to medidate unsuccessfully. You're either doing it or you're not. There may be times where you find yourself "in the zone" and you aren't hit hard by distractions or thoughts and it feels SPECTACULAR. But sometimes distractions are just everywhere, and that's ok. If you strive for those days where you're in the zone meditating, they probably won't come. You can't force it. You have to just do whatever you're going to do as far as your meditation practice and whatever comes, comes. I have days where I cannot go for more than 2 seconds without some thought coming up. I have some days where I set my alarm for 10 or 20 or 30 minutes and my alarm goes off and I thought I had only been meditating for a minute or two... the time just flew by and it was incredibly peaceful and nice. The meditation where you're distracted like crazy is just as important and just as valuable though. Most of the time there's something in between those two extremes though, and I don't think that necessarily ever changes, even after decades.

I was so frustrated with the first one overall that I haven't gotten back to the second one, which came out yesterday...

Sorry to hear that part of it. For the stuff I've done (which is limited, I don't mean to sound like some expert here, just someone who has had a pretty wonderful experience exploring mindfulness for a half a year or so), I have a hard time imagining getting started without having had some in person instruction and explanation. Maybe the right youtube vids would have done the trick, I don't know.

If this doesn't work out, I'd definitely encourage everyone who has a curiosity about this to look into other ways to learn.

I know we're both in the Grease Riders group on facebook, if you ever want to chat about any of the stuff they're trying to teach or any experiences you've had, you know where to find me.

slimzandra wrote: »

Knit. I hear ya. LOL. Yea, I'm not sure what to make of it. I think the first video was weak. This week, it's a lot of links and reading materials to more links. They are pitching this as a "mini-course" series. I ""guess"" there might be some distinction between a mini-course and a program? I'm attaching the email from this week. A couple of comments:

I like charts - So I'm attaching the Hunger Gauge. Nausea on both ends of the spectrum.




Another comment is that they don't recommend IF for weight management. Which is interesting..I wonder why? I also don't like that they are pitching this just to Women. I've never been a big fan of women only clubs. Or gender specific anything. If this is a good exercise, then both M/F could benefit. Whatevs..

I'm always interested in exploring something new for 30 days. I committed to this and Yoga for August.
I'm going to digest (albeit patiently) what they are pitching and then after reviewing the whole series, I'll share my thoughts on being mindful. I'm going to read the article tonight.



Welcome to Week 2 of the Mindfulness for Women Who Struggle With Weight mini-course series!
In our weekly emails you'll find either a video or an article focusing on using mindfulness in certain aspects of your life. You'll also find a compilation of articles and videos to help you expand on the week's learnings.

This week, enjoy an article discussing Mindful Eating, one of our trademark philosophies, by Marsha Hudnall, MS, RDN, CD and President & Co-Owner here at Green Mountain at Fox Run.
Now that you’ve started your practice of mindfulness with Shiri’s email last week, we invite you to bring this awareness of yourself and your thoughts to the table with you for the practice of Mindful Eating.

The list of things many of us have tried to manage our weight is long. Here's the short list:
• Diets. If one diet worked, there would never be need for another.
• Diets that say they’re not diets. Marketing at its best (worst).
• Supplements. The search for the magic pill continues.
• Fasting. Too much to say about that here but suffice to say it’s just not a good idea for most people when weight management is the goal.
• Surgery. Significant health challenges often result, as well as weight regain.
For the last 42 years at Green Mountain, we've encouraged a different approach: Mindful Eating.
It's worth adding to the list of things you've tried. You may just find that it is the magic cure.
Or at least part of it!

Mindful Eating Just Seems Like Magic

Mindful Eating isn't really magic. It's real. It works because you begin to pay attention to your true needs.
• You notice how hungry you are, and when you feel like you’ve had enough – not just when a diet rule tells you you’ve had enough.
• You think about what you really want to eat – so that you can meet your needs and feel satisfied.
• You figure out when you’re not really hungry for food but for something else.
Here's a really important point: You don't criticize your food or yourself, regardless of what you eat or whether you're hungry when you eat. That's key. Otherwise, you may create emotions that cause cravings or otherwise interfere.
If you've struggled with eating and weight. you may find these points confusing. You may:
• Frequently multi-task when you eat so that you don’t notice your appetite cues very clearly.
• Try to follow advice that tells you when and what to eat – which often doesn't match your needs. So when you eat differently, you feel like you've failed.
• Think some foods are off-limits – and they're often foods you love. So when you eat them, you feel like you’ve failed again.
Mindful eating just seems like magic because it helps you get rid of misguided notions like these and begin to eat in a way that truly meets your needs.

Key Steps for Women Who Struggle with Overeating & Weight

Consider these steps for beginning to eat mindfully. They help you tune in and practice eating in a way that meets your needs.
Eat predictably.
That means eating when you're hungry and before you get too hungry. Weight-worried women often wait until they're very hungry before they let themselves eat and that sets them up for overeating. If you’re not always clear whether you are hungry or not, the Hunger & Satisfaction Gauge can help.

Eat well-balanced.
That means eating a mix of protein foods, grains/starchy vegetables and fruits/vegetables throughout the day. That gives your body the nutrients it needs to be healthy, which will help you reach your healthy weight. The Green Mountain Guide to Supportive Eating gives you more information on how this works.

Eat what you want.
This step works to break the restrict/overeat cycle of eating “healthy” until that first bite of a “fattening” food passes your lips. If the idea of doing this is too threatening, work with someone who can help you feel safe as you experiment.
These steps are at the foundation of our approach at Green Mountain to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. They can put you squarely on the path to eating in a way that truly supports your health, your happiness… and your healthy weight, ending the up-and-down struggle that plagues the weight-worried.

Also note that we're hosting a Free webinar on mindful eating: Mindful Eating for Women Who Struggle with Weight on September 1st, 7-8pm US EST where we'll dive deeper into the practice and try some mindful eating exercises.