Mindfully Eat

“I’ll rather do things than watch things”

That’s what my 60 something patient said to me
When we were talking about ways to lose weight

I had suggested avoiding tv or scrolling through cell phones while eating

Mindful eating was the topic

We exchanged stories on the joys and our delight when eating

Our favorite spices and garnishes

I talked about avoiding multitasking as a way to mindfully eat and also lose weight

How?

Don’t watch tv or be on your phone when you eat

You tend to eat more

And your don’t enjoy it as much

STEPS;

First smell the food

Go ahead! Get a whiff of it

Then put a “moderately sizes spoon in your mouth”

Pause…

…yup

Taste. The. Food

The spices, the heat perhaps, the sweet ..

Let it dance on your taste buds

Close your eyes if you must (helps you focus)

Then CHEW

Amazing! Yup it’s what the teeth are for

(On a side note, I chewed rice for the first time in decades a “few” weeks ago in practicing what I preach )

Then explore the textures of the said food from the spoon

…then swallow.

Repeat and listen out to the signal from your belly and your brain that you are full!

I really enjoyed chatting with this patient.

We also shared our love for the newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman and DC talk!

Those were my some of my fav artists back in the day…

We sang a few lines and hi fived at the end!
(I felt sooooo cool.. can anyone relate?)

BUT

Back to the phrase …

He said “I’ll rather do things that watch things!”

That one struck a cord with me.

It was a reminder to dream, and do!

Is there a dream in your heart you’re still waiting on?

Watching others follow theirs while you sit
on yours and wait for “all things to be perfect?”

Start. And watch the world watch you!


Hugs,
Dr. O

Author

Dr. Tolulope Olabintan MD, AAHIVS, FAAFP, dipABLM Dr. Tolulope Olabintan is the Co-Founder and Medical Director of Livingspring Family Medical Center. She is a Christian, Family Physician, writer, mentor, mother and wife. She takes joy in empowering her patients and readers to live their fullest lives possible. She helps patients live long and well as she believes that the quality of life is just as important as the quantity of life. She is also a foodie and loves the colors teal and orange. Dr. Olabintan completed her medical degree at UMDNJ Rutgers Medical School in 2007. Dr. O went on to finish her Family Medicine Residency from Albert Einstein College of Medicine Family Medicine residency where she also served as a Chief Resident. She then went on to complete a women’s health/surgical obstetrics fellowship at St Francis hospital in 2011. She is a board-certified Family Physician, Lifestyle Medicine, a HIV specialist and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.