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How Meditation Helped My Overeating

Meditation has made me more conscious of what I am eating and why. Now when I am out with friends or even at home, I do not feel the need to finish everything off my plate. I am mindful of being present with my friends and enjoying nourishing food.
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Oprah Winfrey was on David Letterman last week when she revealed on the show, "Well, actually, I brought meditation to my whole company ... in 2010, because it makes for a better environment when everybody is focused and of one mind and doing well."

My life is certainly not as glamorous as Oprah's or the other celebrities who meditate (Gwyneth Paltrow, Russell Simmons, David Lynch, Miranda Kerr and Ellen DeGeneres) but I have found meditation as a path for me to be more aware of why I eat and what I choose to eat.

It has been a long windy road to come to the understanding of when I feel full while eating and to ask myself why I am going for another snack.

Starting from a young age, food was like a friend that was always there. My parents were divorced when I was six and after they parted ways, I was being shuttled from one parent's home to the other. During the week I would be with my mom and every second weekend stay with my dad (in another town).

Looking back now there was always food, wherever I may be and whatever was happening around me. The habit of turning to food as an ally stayed with me as a young adult. Trouble with a boyfriend? You could find me in sweat pants, late at night touring the bulk chocolate section in the local grocery store. Celebrating a new job or event, then it would call for ice cream of other food to ring in the news. During these years there was a clear disconnect between me and food, we had a dysfunctional relationship.

I did feel my best physically (and spiritually) when I was in my 20s. I was traveling the world, riding my bicycle everywhere and living the life I believe I was really meant to live. During this time I was also not as dependent on food for support, the foundation I had internally was all that I needed. No longer the need for sustaining or feeding my emotions.

Then in my early 30s I landed my first "real" job in the corporate world. It was a gratifying job, I felt important and was doing more than I thought I could ever do. But the food was coming back again and I would sit at my desk for long hours and snack while pouring over reports.

And so the disconnect between what I was eating and why continued.

In 2005, I went to a yoga class at a community centre and the teacher asked us to lay flat in the dark room on a yoga mat while she read from a book. The whole time I was lying there I was thinking, what has this got to do with yoga? Aren't we supposed to be moving? Now looking back, I understand she was teaching us the art of being still and mindful.

Fast forward to 2013 and I have been practising meditation for the past four years. I find that Modern Meditation works best for me. I listen to 10 minute audio recordings each day. I sit still each morning after breakfast and listen to the music with words for my brain to follow.

Meditation has made me more conscious of what I am eating and why. Now when I am out with friends or even at home, I do not feel the need to finish everything off my plate. I am mindful of being present with my friends and enjoying nourishing food.

When I am sitting in front of the TV watching the "Real Housewives" (ok guilty pleasure I admit it) and I feel the urge to eat, I ask myself in that moment "am I really hungry?", if not, that is fine.

With every taste and practising mindfulness through meditation, I am getting closer to that place I was in my 20s, when I was thriving, full of life and vibrant energy.

As I move closer to my mid 40s, I am more aware, healthier and take pleasure in every bite. Meditation has encouraged me to have an enhanced and conscious relationship with food. I am now a happier and healthier person as a result.

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