Let’s talk about one surprising exercise we can do each day that can help us with those weight-loss goals, gratitude! Yes, you heard right. The New Year brings a sense of renewal, with fresh intentions and goals. These can range from the most popular, weight loss, to being more organized, career goals, increasing exercise, and more. Whatever your personal intentions may be for the New Year, starting with gratitude can pave the way for success. So how can it affect weight-loss?
Taking time to think about, share, or write down what we have to be grateful for calms the body and can set the tone for maximum digestion so our bodies can absorb those wonderful nutrients we are taking in. When our bodies are in a state of stress or pre-occupied with other thoughts, it can leave our ability for optimal digestion impaired, leaving negative effects on weight-loss strategies. Yes, our thoughts play a big role in our health and maintaining optimal weight. It can also keep our body and mind from being ready to accept and welcome the new changes, large or small, in our lifestyle that will help attain our goals and leave us feeling vibrant!
Here is a simple exercise in gratitude to practice at home. By doing this or just taking a minute of silence before each meal to be thankful and think of one thing you are grateful for, it can calm your body and start working to help balance your body from within where wonderful results will start to unfold. Another option is to add a “gratitude jar” with everyone in the family slipping one small paper a day with something they are grateful for. What a great way to keep that negativity at bay and move forward with your intentions for a better you in 2015!
