5 Surprising Ways Meditation Can Boost Your Weight Loss Journey

If you’re like me, you’ve tried to lose weight, maybe even lost it, and then just bounced back to the weight you were before. Losing weight is as much of a mental journey as a physical one. So in this post, I’ll show you 5 surprising ways meditation can boost your weight loss.

A shift in the weight loss mindset

Maintaining a healthy weight can be a challenge, and many people need help finding effective and sustainable weight loss strategies. One recent approach that’s gained popularity is using meditation to support weight loss. 

By incorporating meditation into your weight loss plan, you can improve your mental and physical well-being at the same time, which can in turn help you lose weight. What’s more, by using the tips here, you’ll be able to lose weight easier and sustain the weight you’ve lost.

How can meditation help with weight loss?

Meditation can support weight loss by reducing stress and emotional eating, increasing awareness of hunger and fullness cues and promoting mindful eating habits. It can also improve sleep and overall well-being, which can indirectly support a healthy lifestyle.

But you probably want to know exactly how that works, and that starts with the mind-body connection.

Working out the mind-body connection

The mind-body connection is how your emotions and thoughts affect you physically, but also how your physical condition and activities can affect you emotionally.

Research has shown that your mental and emotional state can have a significant impact on your physical health, including your weight. And that’s probably not news to us, as we’re more likely to eat badly when we’re stressed or bored.

Stress and anxiety can increase the production of cortisol, a hormone that can cause weight gain. By contrast, positive emotions such as joy and contentment can reduce stress and support a healthy weight.

One way to strengthen the mind-body connection is through mindfulness meditation. This practice simply involves paying attention to the present moment with a non-judgmental and accepting attitude. By practicing mindfulness, you can become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, and learn to respond to them in a way that supports your overall well-being.

The 5 Ways Meditation Can Boost Your Weight Loss Journey

Meditation can provide a range of benefits that can support your weight loss journey. Here are three key benefits:

1: Stress Reduction

Stress can be a major barrier to weight loss. It can cause you to crave unhealthy foods and make it harder to stick to your diet and exercise plan. Meditation can help reduce stress by calming your mind and body and helping you develop a more positive attitude toward life’s challenges.

2: Emotional Regulation

Emotions such as boredom, loneliness, and anxiety can trigger overeating or unhealthy snacking. Research shows that through mindfulness meditation, you can learn to recognize and regulate your emotions in a healthier way, reducing the likelihood of emotional eating. 

3: Improved Sleep

Sleep is essential for weight loss, as lack of sleep can lead to hormonal imbalances that can contribute to weight gain. Meditation can improve the quality of your sleep by reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

4: Control of cravings

Mindfulness meditation trains the part of your brain to be more thoughtful and less reactive. Sometimes that short pause is all you need to make the right choice with what you’re eating.

5: Mindful Eating

By promoting greater awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, meditation can help you become more attuned to your hunger and fullness cues, as well as help you develop more mindful eating habits.

How to use meditation to lose weight

Mindful Walking Meditation

There are growing studies showing that walking is an effective way of losing weight and in some ways better than more intense exercises. This is because:

• There is less chance of injury by walking
• Studies show that walking is less likely to create a stronger hunger after the exercise, so you’re burning calories, but not getting hungrier
• Walking is generally easier and more pleasurable than intense exercise, so participants are less likely to ‘fall off the wagon’.

So make time in your day for at least 30 minutes of mindful walking.

RELATED ARTICLE: Mindful Walking Meditation – Find Peace In Each Step

Meditation to promote sleep

Sleep is often something we all need to do better, and Covid made “how to sleep better” one of the most common searches on Google. But simply putting in eight hours may not ensure quality sleep.

Regular meditation helps with the ability to stop worrying and ruminating to allow you to peacefully fall into a deep and restful sleep. And while there are some great sleep meditations to listen to in bed, it’s also important to fit at least ten minutes in during the day as well.

Mindful eating

Though not meditation in itself, meditation will cultivate mindfulness helping us become more mindful when we eat.

Mindful eating simply involves using all of your senses to enjoy the act of eating. Our minds have a limited spectrum of focus, so when we eat whilst watching tv, we don’t appreciate what we are eating, and we tend to eat faster and more than we should.

Simply shifting your attention to your food and exploring the taste, smell, and texture can slow your eating, and make you more aware of what you eat, and when you are full.

FAQs about meditation and weight loss

Q: Can meditation alone help me lose weight?
A: Meditation is not a magic bullet for weight loss, but it can be a helpful tool to support a healthy lifestyle. To lose weight, you’ll also need to make changes to your diet and exercise routine.

Q: What is the best type of meditation for weight loss?
A: There is no one “best” type of meditation for weight loss, as everyone’s needs and preferences are different. Some people find mindfulness meditation to be helpful, while others may prefer loving-kindness meditation or body scan meditation. The most important thing is to find a type of meditation that resonates with you and that you enjoy practicing.

Q: How long should I meditate for?
A: The length of your meditation practice will depend on your schedule and preferences. Some people find it helpful to meditate for just a few minutes each day, while others may prefer longer sessions of 20-30 minutes or more.

Q: Can meditation help reduce food cravings?
A: Meditation can help reduce stress and emotional reactivity, which can in turn help reduce food cravings. By becoming more aware of your thoughts and emotions through mindfulness, you can learn to respond to cravings in a more balanced and mindful way.

Q: What if I don’t have time to meditate?
A: Even a few minutes of meditation can be beneficial, so try to make it a priority in your daily routine. You might consider waking up a few minutes earlier or meditating during your lunch break. Alternatively, you could try incorporating mindfulness practices into other areas of your life, such as mindful eating or mindful movement.

Q: What if I’m new to meditation?
A: It’s normal to feel a little intimidated or unsure when starting a new meditation practice. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you learn, and try to approach the practice with an open mind. You might find it helpful to start with short sessions of just a few minutes and gradually build up over time.

The takeaway

Incorporating meditation and mindfulness into your weight loss plan can provide a range of benefits, including reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, and better sleep.

By practicing mindfulness in different areas of your life, such as eating and movement, you can support your overall well-being and achieve your weight loss goals. With a little patience and persistence, you can develop a sustainable meditation practice that supports your health and happiness.

Will you be trying any of these suggestions? Let me know in the comments.