Like so many of my peers before me, I'm entering into mid-life territory where the metabolism slows, aches, pains and recovery from physical exertion increases, and it's far too easy to ease into a gluttonous, sedentary lifestyle. I'm over 190 lbs—the heaviest I've been in my life. I am getting occasional exercise, but not solidly regular. So on my recent vacation (of course my loyal readers noticed; thanks to both of you!), I decided to turn things around.
I severely cut back on the amount of food I ate, and did 20+ minute workout every day. I also was more conscious of the things I ate—though as a vegan I'm already eating pretty well.
The most surprising thing is how little food I actually need to get by. I have been blindly consuming the servings given to me in restaurants or served up by myself even which are simply way too big. When I was mindful of actually stopping eating (or better, not even starting!) when I wasn't hungry, I realized how little I need.
The corollary to this is that I think too often we go through our lives eating from one meal to the next with copious snacking in between without ever getting to the point of actually being hungry. To truly eat mindfully, once must experience the pangs of hunger.
Now I'm not saying to fast or starve yourself. But think of it as an optimization. How little food can you eat at your next meal to get you to the next without absolutely needing a snack in between? Can you let your tummy rumble a bit and be OK with it? For me the answer is yes. But it requires one to approach eating from a different viewpoint.
Of course saying all this is one thing. Back in the office on my first day at work I easily fell into the trap that is the free junk food in the kitchenette. But now I am mindful of the power of inertia and context. I think I can resist it tomorrow, and if 10 tomorrows go by, I think I can break that habit.
I severely cut back on the amount of food I ate, and did 20+ minute workout every day. I also was more conscious of the things I ate—though as a vegan I'm already eating pretty well.
The most surprising thing is how little food I actually need to get by. I have been blindly consuming the servings given to me in restaurants or served up by myself even which are simply way too big. When I was mindful of actually stopping eating (or better, not even starting!) when I wasn't hungry, I realized how little I need.
The corollary to this is that I think too often we go through our lives eating from one meal to the next with copious snacking in between without ever getting to the point of actually being hungry. To truly eat mindfully, once must experience the pangs of hunger.
Now I'm not saying to fast or starve yourself. But think of it as an optimization. How little food can you eat at your next meal to get you to the next without absolutely needing a snack in between? Can you let your tummy rumble a bit and be OK with it? For me the answer is yes. But it requires one to approach eating from a different viewpoint.
Of course saying all this is one thing. Back in the office on my first day at work I easily fell into the trap that is the free junk food in the kitchenette. But now I am mindful of the power of inertia and context. I think I can resist it tomorrow, and if 10 tomorrows go by, I think I can break that habit.
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