Yeah yeah, you’ve heard that you’re supposed to meditate, right? It’s calms you down. Focuses you. Creates peace in your body and mind. Helps with stress reduction. Heck, we even have the world-famous Meditation Gardens here.
But really? You sit, close your eyes, put your hands on your knees, cross your legs and ba-da-bing,ba-da-boom: the mysteries of the world are unraveled!
Yeah it doesn’t really happen that way. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but meditating takes time, persistence, and patience. And lots of it!
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To be honest (and that’s how I roll), meditating can be painful and distracting for the body and mind.
You will be so consumed with that itch on your shoulder, the fly-away hair brushing against your ear, and the deafening sound of your ankle screaming, “Move me. MOVE ME. NOW!”
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And then there’s that other kind of noise… mind chatter. That may be the worst distraction of all.
Since meditation forces you to turn inward, the inward is forced to come out- and sometimes she’s not pretty! I won’t air my mediation thought-nuggets on you in a blog post, but I will say that the Inner Sara has some bizarre and totally irrelevant thoughts!
But don’t worry. I promise that you can learn to meditate, and that the benefits will change your day-to-day life AND your waistline in a positive way.
YES, I said it! Meditating can help you lose weight. By reducing stress, increasing good sleep, and keeping you mindful of your goals throughout the day, meditation is like a magic little recharge button that helps to keep you on track.
So, here’s how you can start meditating today in just 5 easy steps:
- Find a comfortable place to sit with your legs crossed and back straight. I have a meditation pillow and set-up. Try meditating at our local gem: the Meditation Garden in Encinitas!
- Set a timer for no more than 3- 5 minutes to start.
- Choose a personal mantra that speaks to you and your goals, like “I am thin” or “I am an amazing creature.”
- Breathe deeply and slowly as you repeat your mantra, while keeping a motivating image in mind….. bikini….George Clooney…..vacation.
- Ignore the mind chatter. Let these thoughts come and go like clouds.
Remember – be easy on your sweet self. This is your journey.
