I’ve mentioned in the past that one of the tools I’ve been using to support my weight loss efforts is meditation (largely because of the linked benefits re your autonomic nervous system). For me, this is less the traditional sitting meditation and more of the assisted kind (or as I call it, meditation with training wheels).
When I first started, I listened to classical music and watched Flickr slide shows of nature. But after reading Seth Roberts’ experiments with morning face therapy, I started experimenting with viewing faces rather than nature (I’ve found the Portrait Group slide show particularly good for this).
A couple of things I’ve noticed over time. For me, I’ve found that whenever my thoughts start to drift, I lose my focus on the slides. I don’t claim to understand the neurobiology of it, but I suspect that senses take precedence for some reason, and so the act of focusing on the pics helps calm the mind.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that the pics posted in this slide show are a nice counterpoint to the culturally approved versions that we see in mass media. These are real people, not Photoshopped Barbies & Kens. And after having read about limbic resonance in the book Younger Next Year, I wonder whether looking at faces intently pings some part of the brain as well (even online).
Anyways, if you’ve got weight to lose, you’re probably aware that managing stress is an important component to successful weight loss (lots of cortisol does no one any good). You might want to experiment with meditation … or even just deep breathing. Start small (even a minute or two) and see how it goes!
Photo credit: Wayne Miller
Weight Maven is written by Beth Mazur. Beth believes that obesity is more symptom than cause and that the real problem is our Western diet -- especially sugar, refined grains, and industrial oils. Beth writes about nutrition, ancestral health & food policy. And cats! 
Sometimes I wonder if the ritual activity (aka meditation) can be almost anything that brings a sense of completeness or wholeness. For me, this varies. Doing nothing can often be the best course of “action”, which includes staying away from all forms of information technology for a few days-no reading, no viewing, etc-just participating in life and face to face relationships without electronic mediation.