How do you use “mindfulness”? By @dietitian.rachelgoodman Mindfulness is not…
How do you use “mindfulness”?? By @dietitian.rachelgoodman
Mindfulness is not meant to be used with a set outcome in mind. It’s meant to be used as a way to connect to the present moment and take in the information it is giving you, and from this place make decisions that serve you.
However, diet culture has hi-jacked mindfulness. In diet culture, mindfulness is all about getting a very specific outcome, which is – be hyper aware of what you are eating and be cautious not to eat too much so you can lose weight (the perfect formula for food obsession, worry, and stress?).
In reality, when mindfulness is used in this way, its just another way to package… restriction!!
So when you find yourself binge eating your favorite chocolate bar, its not because you weren’t “mindful”. In fact, its probably because you WERE “mindful” (aka, trying to be aware so that you can eat less).
What if you started practice mindfulness FOR REAL? Where there is no expected outcome other than aligning yourself with your body and the present moment and tuning it to how you want your body to FEEL…
And there is no wrong or right way to do this. You may find that by being aware to your body and enjoying the food mindfully (while knowing you can eat the very same food again tomorrow – full permission is key here!) – just half a muffin satisfies you.
You may also want to eat the entire muffin… and maybe even need to eat something else after that! And that is OKAY! ?
Check with yourself and with your body. Allow mindfulness to create connection without judgement? Allow yourself to discover and explore eating in this way… and see what happens?!
