Finding a Mindful Way to Lose Weight

Nov. 20, 2009 - PRLog -- Per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest numbers 67 percent of the adult population in the US is either overweight or obese.  And the numbers keep climbing every year.  There certainly is not a lack of weight loss pills, gadgets, programs or protocols claiming to help with this epidemic.  Part of the problem according to Susi Hately, yoga teacher and founder of Functional Synergy, is that “many have lost their ‘gut feel’ and isn’t listening to the feedback their bodies are giving them.”

Susi explains that by engaging in yoga and meditation, someone can regain the feedback channels their body is giving them, and instead of making the decision of what to eat based on "what's right," they make the decision based on what their body is telling them at a deep level.  By utilizing yoga and meditation practices you can heighten your awareness. “The difficult part of this is people will say...’my body wants sugar, it wants wine.’ These are the cravings. Go a little deeper, beneath the cravings, and really see what the body is wanting,” says Susi.

Practice: Awareness through the day. Notice your emotions and feelings that exist around food. Notice how you feel before, during and after you eat. Was there a prevalent feeling that was present that "drove" you to eat?”

Losing weight requires 3 things to occur:
1.   Eat less
2.   Exercise more
3.   Repeat

The formula relies on a calorie in and calorie out ratio; eat less than you burn and your weight will drop. Repeat it on an ongoing basis and you will reduce your weight.  It is a straightforward and simple formula. Yet, Susi explains that it misses two important concepts which are the bane of many people wanting to lose weight. First, it misses the bridge between “I know what I need to do” to “actually following through with it.” And second, it bypasses the fact that much of our eating is emotional - negative and positive. We eat out of boredom, or to soothe our souls after a breakup or a bad day. We eat for celebration, raising a glass for a job well done, a promotion, a party or an annual holiday.  All in all, when we are eating, we are enjoying the food and how it makes us feel, but we aren’t necessarily looking at what is the driving force behind that second piece of cake entering our mouths. Or at least, not until we stand on the scale the next day and think “oh, why did I do that?”

While yoga might not offer the calorie burn of running, Spinning or biking, it offers awareness and contemplation. It focuses the mind and enables us to pay attention to ourselves and, in a sense, wakes us up. Things we weren’t so conscious about, all of sudden become clear. It is with that clarity we can make a change.

By tracking what your emotions and feelings are before, during and after eating you will get an insight to an awareness process of what you eat during your day. Not so much from the perspective of calories in vs. calories out; but rather from the perspective of calories in vs. calories out; but rather from the perspective of feelings and emotions. By following this over a few days you’ll begin to see what is “driving” you during the times you eat, and whether it is out of hunger or whether some other emotion.  With this information, you’ll be able to gain greater clarity over what you are eating and why, and make more sustainable choices for your weight loss goals.  

While yoga is not the most optimum for calorie burning, it does get us stretching, strengthening and reducing stress. The combination of asanas and breathing exercises can improve digestion, circulation, increase energy, and reduce levels of fatigue. It can also help us to recuperate from traditional cardiovascular activity, getting us ready for our next calorie burning session.

Susi Hately is a renowned yoga teacher and author of several international best-selling yoga books and DVDs.  Her yoga skills are enhanced by her B.Sc. in kinesiology, post-graduate training in mind-body medicine and ergonomics and, practical field experience assisting companies with disability management and workplace safety issues.  Susi’s main focus and expertise is in helping people overcome pain and injuries with her customized yoga therapy programs. Since 2004, Susi teaches a comprehensive therapeutic certification program for aspiring instructors to learn the importance of well-being as it affects various conditions.  Find more info at www.functionalsynergy.com.




Editor’s Note:  Susi Hately suggests trying the following 5 exercises at the end of your cardiovascular session or on a rest day:

1.   Tadasana.
In standing, feel your feet on the floor. Feel your weight centered on the ball of your foot, base of your pinky toe and center of your heel. Allow your legs to be strong. Breathe easy. 1 minute.

2.   Warrior 1
From Tadasana, step one foot back. Step only as far back as your hips can remain square. Your back leg will rotate slightly; your front knee will slightly bend. Raise your arms up to horizontal bending your arms at the elbows. You may feel a bit of a stretch in your chest. Then, if it makes sense for your body, raise your arms overhead.  Breathe 3-5 times and return to start, repeat on the other side.

3.   Bridge Pose
Move to the floor and place your feet a comfortable distance from your buttocks, so they are hip width apart. Pressing both feet into the floor, raise your hips to the sky. Move only as far as your back is comfortable. Breathe at the top of the pose 3-4 times and return to start. Repeat 3 times.

4.   Crescent Pose
Lay on your back, legs straight out. While keeping your hips still, move legs to your left. If suitable for your body, raise the right arm along the side of your ear (if this bothers your shoulder, lower the arm to a pain free/strain free place) Breath 5-15 times and repeat on the other side.

5.   Savasana
Lay on your back, with legs straight out, or knees bent, feet on the floor. Easily breathe. Be here for 2-5 minutes, being aware of how your body and breath is moving.

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