END EMOTION-DRIVEN EATING: MEDITATION: AN AMAZING FOOD SUBSTITUTE

Weight Loss Add comments

Angela Banks turned to meditation to help her cope with stress and negative emotions. She never imagined that it would also help her lose 50 pounds.

For years, Angela used food to block out memories of her painful, | rri unhappy childhood. Eating made her feel warm and fuzzy inside. It was her way of showing herself kindness and love. But it came at a price: By the time she reached her twenties, she weighed 188 pounds.

All the while, Angela’s emotional pain continued to fester inside her. It finally came to a head in an explosive confrontation with her husband. At that moment, Angela realized that she could no longer ignore what had happened to her as a child. It was not only driving her to overeat, it was also undermining her spiritual well-being as a mother, wife, and business owner.

Angela immediately sought professional help. She learned an array of coping skills, including meditation. Now, instead of running to the refrigerator when she feels bad, she heads for a quiet room. For a few minutes, she tunes out the outside world and tunes in to her innermost thoughts and emotions. She tries to identify what is really bothering her, then figures out how to deal with the real problem without turning to food.

Today, at age 34, Angela runs a nonprofit organization that provides personal counseling and career support for sexually abused women. She credits a combination of meditation and prayer with helping her turn her life around. It also helped her slim down: She maintains a healthy weight of 138 pounds.

WINNING ACTION

Use your mind, not food, to mellow your mood. Daily meditation can help you relax, so you’ll be less inclined to plunge into a stress-induced binge. To try meditation, go to a room in your home where you won’t be disturbed. Sit in a comfortable position, then begin breathing slowly and deeply. Concentrate on your breathing. As thoughts enter your mind, acknowledge them, but don’t dwell on them. Continue for 20 minutes. You’ll feel the stress melt away.

*74\89\8*

Share and Enjoy: