Losing those extra pounds and having a toned and fit body is something many people desire. Weight loss is usually associated with two things - regular exercise and a healthy diet plan. However, if your focus is only on these two factors, then your weight loss strategy is incomplete. A fit body is a combination of a healthy mind and a healthy body, so some component of mindfulness and also creating healthy thinking, is essential for a successful weight loss strategy. 

Meditation helps not only in keeping brain healthy but also helps in enhancing self-image, managing cravings, promoting regular exercise, and more. Today with an increase in the awareness about meditation, people are using it as a tool to understand their body and adopt healthy eating habits, which further helps in losing weight.

What is Meditation?

Meditation can be considered as a brain exercise which helps connect our body, mind, and soul. It brings a sense of calmness. People have been practicing meditation for thousands of years. In many religions, it is considered as a spiritual practice. Meditation also helps in reducing stress and anxiety. 

Different people follow different ways of doing meditation. Some focus on breathing, whereas others chants mantras during their meditation sessions.

Irrespective of the type of the method, meditation helps in understanding the function of our mind and body. It also provides a clearer understanding of our thoughts. 

How is Meditation Connected to Weight Loss?

Many people think that burning calories and avoiding calorie intake are the only ways to reduce their body weight. People overlook the importance of a healthy state of mind and the benefit of meditation, in losing weight. 

If you want to lose, you need to have strong willpower and determination. Also, you need to find the reasons which have resulted in weight gain. There might be subconscious issues of holding onto things or a lack of self-love. 

These questions can be answered only with a clear mind. Meditation is very helpful in finding answers to such questions. In addition to this, meditation helps in building a healthy relationship with food.

Various studies have shown stress as one of the major reasons for overeating. Meditation reduces stress, henceforth resulting in weight loss. In addition to this, meditation helps in reducing the levels of C-reactive Protein and cortisol in the body, which are responsible for causing obesity.  

Specific Ways Meditation Helps Support Weight Loss

Meditation Lowers Your BMR Effortlessly

Basal Metabolic Rate or BMR refers to the calories needed during rest time or at the time when we are just breathing. Regular meditation decreases BMR. This means meditation reduces the calories needed by our body, hence resulting in weight loss. 

Meditation Aids in the Assimilation of Food

Many times, people after heavy workouts, end up taking more calories. This increase in appetite continues beyond post-workout sessions as well as at times when you have not exercised. This occurs due to the assimilation of food. Meditation helps in improving this condition. In addition to this, stress and hormonal imbalances result in indigestion and overeating. Regular meditation helps in reducing stress and balancing hormones in the body. This also helps in reducing weight.

Meditation Moderates Unhealthy Urges for Fast Food

Our cravings and taste buds are the biggest roadblocks on our way to become healthy. We need to have the willpower to ignore such cravings. Meditation helps in rejecting such temptations, and we also become internally aware of what we should eat and what should be avoided. With time, these healthy eating habits become part of our food habits. 

Meditation = Less Stress

Stress hampers our body mentally as well as physically. Daily meditation helps in reducing stress and also relaxes our body and mind. Sometimes, under stressful situations, we don't even realize what we are eating. 

Meditation Boosts Commitment

Starting a weight loss routine and following it rigorously are two different things. One has to be 100% committed to be successful in losing the weight they want to lose. This can be only achieved if you have faith in yourself and a strong will to continue. Meditation helps in clearing our thoughts and intensifying our intentions. Hence, making meditation a part of your weight loss routine is essential.

Simple Step by Step Guide to Learn How to Meditate:

Meditation is about both focusing and calming the mind. It aims at attaining inner calm and self-awareness. Meditation does not require any equipment. 

All you need is some time to make meditation a part of your daily routine. For beginners, 10 minutes of meditation on daily or alternate days is quite reasonable and can provide noticeable benefits. 

Find A Quiet Location

Meditation needs to be performed at a peaceful location, which is free from distraction. All your concentration and focus should be on your body and mind. Select a place where you have privacy and will not be disturbed while performing meditation. If you like music, you can play a soft, calm, and repetitive tune. You may even play music based on natural sounds like the sound of raindrops or running water. 

A Comfortable Posture

Traditionally meditation is performed by sitting on the ground, in lotus or half-lotus position. But it might not be a comfortable position for those who have any back problems or lack flexibility. Hence try to find a position in which you can sit comfortably for the entire duration of meditation. Just make sure that the position selected by you let you sit in a straight and balanced manner. Don't restrain yourself to a sitting position if they don't work for you, as you can do meditation even while lying down, standing, or even walking. 

Deep Breathing

Once you found your comfortable position close your eyes relax and take a deep breath and hold it for few seconds. Breathing meditation is one of the basic and simplest ways of meditating. While meditating breathe naturally and focus on your calming breath.

Continue Focusing on Your Breath for 5 to 10 Minutes

Focus on your breaths and follow them in and out with your awareness. Follow the pathway of your breath, starting from nostrils till the movement of your abdomen. Avoid judging or trying to perfect your breathing pattern and keep breathing naturally. Continue this for 5-10 minutes.     

 An Open Mind and Good Attitude

While performing meditation, your mind might lose the focus and may start wandering. It's quite normal, so don't overthink it and try to bring your attention back to your breathing pattern. Try not to get frustrated and gently bring yourself back to focusing on your breath each time.

By Jessica Ann

Jessica Ann has written many blogs across the spectrum, but specializes mainly in weight loss and dieting. With several years in the field, Jessica has been helping people get healthy and is dedicated to providing information for those who need it.

Convinced? Try our 14-Day Meditation series now, or sign up for Yoga for Weight Loss program.