Meditation for appetite control

I have practiced meditation off and on for a year or so. My current practice includes yin yoga, which involves holding a pose for an extended period of time; the yogi can choose to meditate during the practice as a way of observing the body in the present moment. I've also engaged in a mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) practice.

Meditation, at least the philosophies of meditation that I have been taught, is not usually "for" anything other than to observe your current physical and mental state without judgment. Some forms of meditation have other purposes, such as lovingkindness meditation, which is meant to help practice compassion. People absolutely do report various other changes in themselves after practicing meditation; common changes include sleeping better and being able to approach one's emotions with greater awareness.

In my experience, approaching meditation with the goal of changing your appetite would be discouraged. The practices I have been taught are not meant to actively change the body or mind, but to just observe. If you have the intention of changing something about yourself, that would imply some kind of judgment (i.e., my appetite is too strong and I need to change that). Self judgment would run counter to most philosophies of meditation.

I have not personally experienced any difference in appetite due to meditation. If we're talking about physical hunger cues, then I wouldn't expect meditation to change those. The only way I can imagine it making a difference is if you want to step back and observe your desire to eat--is it because you are hungry, because you're bored, because you're stressed, etc.? Meditation might help you learn to observe those emotions and physical sensations that we do not always think very carefully about.

However, I'd reiterate that I wouldn't approach a meditative practice with the goal of "I'm going to learn to control my appetite." I would approach it as "I'm going to spend 10 minutes quietly focusing on my breathing, and just observing what my body and mind do during that time." If you want more specific meditative techniques, I would recommend the book "8 Minute Meditation," which teaches you a new technique each week.

OP, I would think this might depend on why you might be struggling with appetite.

If you are legit hungry because you are eating at a steep deficit or eating a diet very low in one or more macros, I don't think meditating will help anything.

If your appetite comes from emotion, stress, boredom, or habit then it's possible a more centered, calmer mind will make it easier to deal with. If that's the case, I would suggest also making sure you have some alternate beneficial ways to deal with the situations that arise, so your calmer mind can consciously choose a better solution.

kimny72 wrote: »

OP, I would think this might depend on why you might be struggling with appetite.

If you are legit hungry because you are eating at a steep deficit or eating a diet very low in one or more macros, I don't think meditating will help anything.

If your appetite comes from emotion, stress, boredom, or habit then it's possible a more centered, calmer mind will make it easier to deal with. If that's the case, I would suggest also making sure you have some alternate beneficial ways to deal with the situations that arise, so your calmer mind can consciously choose a better solution.

More or less what I was about to say. I'm a stress eater, so doing something calming when I get snacky because of stress can help. When it's because I had a long run that morning and I have a lot of extra calories to eat, not so much.

Meditation can bring you awareness. Hunger can be a spiritual quest to understand life and the world more, but to lose weight I suggest eating lots of fruit, veggies, whole grains. Stay away from calorie dense foods and read all the advice that all these wonderful people have for how to lose weight. If that is your goal... Be well and love yourself.