Meditation for Fat- loss?

Let's talk about the mind- body connection.

When we talk about managing our weight and our health, it is imperative to acknowledge the importance of the mind-to-body connection.

Our body is a mirror reflection of what is going on in our minds.

Imagine this scenario with me:

You are on a vacation in Masai Mara, and enjoying a delicious fruit bowl with mangoes, plums, and the sweetest of berries. These fruits are locally sourced and plucked right from the trees for you just minutes before being served. All the anti-oxidants, all the phytonutrients, and healing agents from the fruits are working their magic down your gut. Your body is thanking you so much.

Now suddenly, out-of-the-blue, you see a lioness running towards your camp. Running right towards you. You throw away your almost-empty fruit bowl and run as fast as you can. You are scared for your life, panting for your breath and have never run so fast. The lioness keeps getting closer and you have cold sweats now, but keep running, you have no choice.

Get the picture?

While you were running, was the body thinking about digesting the fresh fruits you ate right before? No.

You could have eaten the healthiest of salads right before, but the body will not focus on absorbing the nutrients from the salad. All the body cares about is getting you as far away from danger as possible.

In real life, the lioness is the next work deadline you have. It is the nagging spouse or demanding parents. It is the credit card bill that is due and the monthly rental.

There are mini invisible lion cubs all around you.

Till you do not deal with lion cubs first, it won’t matter how healthy your diet is. You will still be sick because of elevated stress hormones (cortisol).

Here is where meditation comes in…

MRI scans show that after 8 weeks of mindfulness practices like meditation, the brain’s fight-or-flight response, the Amygdala tends to shrink.

Now this research is very important to the idea of weight gain or weight loss. This is because while trying to lose or gain weight, it is necessary for you to keep your stress hormone i.e. the cortisol levels down. And, interestingly, cortisol is released from the Amygdala.

A high level of cortisol means that you are in a stressed state.

And if you’re constantly acting from a stressed state, no matter how much or less you eat, you’re body is not going to adequately absorb the necessary micronutrients. And, consequently, with no absorption of micronutrients, you feel constantly being in the state of hunger and hence tend to overeat.

How often should you practice it?

As often as you can.

But begin by just practicing one minute of silence, simply closing your eyes and sitting, eleven times a day.

It really is that simple…

Trust this helps,

Roshni Sanghvi.