HEALTH - Yoga, a key to keeping weight off

SEVERAL months ago, I attended a conference in Florida to work with a wonderful group of people in the medical and related health fields. We were all together because of our interest in different ways to treat the obesity epidemic. After the conference, a number of us decided to take a break and sit outside to enjoy the afternoon sun.

We talked about many topics, including our children, the work we were doing, how some of us loved doing yoga, and, of course, food. Being the only nutritionist in the group, the conversation eventually turned, as it often does, to dieting and weight control.

Several of the women had been on and off Weight Watchers for years. It is a wonderful program, and they liked going to meetings because of the support it offers, the flexibility and all the choices they can make. One woman's story really struck me:

She said she had once lost 40 pounds on this program, and during this time was also regularly doing yoga. She also found she had the ability to get into the meditative practices of yoga, which is difficult to attain. She also enjoyed practicing many of the postures, or asanas. More importantly, she said that during this time, she was experiencing such confidence in herself that she was able to drive past fast food places without feeling the need to stop and get something to eat. She sounded as though this was a very peaceful time for her, not just with her weight, but in her life.

Unfortunately, as often happens, the woman eventually gained back all of the weight (along with a few additional pounds) and she stopped practicing yoga. I found the combination of the two (practicing yoga and losing weight) quite interesting and I spoke to her about this. I suggested that she worry less about the "food" part and consider adding the yoga back into her life.

Most of us have a very good idea of what it means to "eat healthy," what we need to do in order to lose weight. Folks who have been to Weight Watchers are well-educated as to the various acceptable choices they can make, and which foods they can prepare. The woman admitted she did already knew all of this.

I suggested that she focus on rebuilding time for yoga first. The meditation, the postures, and the different yoga sequences would make her feel at peace with her body. Yoga always gives me a sense that, regardless of my weight, I can feel good in my body. Yoga is not only about being flexible in your body. It's about increasing flexibility, building strength and endurance, physically AND emotionally.

I know that once this woman starts practicing yoga again, she will be able to permanently lose the weight. Not focusing on food while focusing on increasing activity improves one's overall health and well-being.

When you are at peace with your body, it's much easier to be at peace with food!

If you would like more information on becoming At Peace With Food™, as well as access to interesting articles and links to nutritional resource websites, visit http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com/freetips.html

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