[One Thousand Characters a Day] So That Mood Does Not Turn into Appetite <4>

Editor's NoteEating less and moving more does not necessarily lead to weight loss. When you try hard to reduce body fat, your body actually activates mechanisms that increase fat storage. Metabolism gradually slows down, immunity weakens, appetite explodes, and mood worsens. As this yo-yo effect repeats, your body becomes more prone to gaining weight. If your diet has repeatedly failed, it is not because of a lack of willpower. If you felt weak, irritable, and constantly thought about food every time you dieted, it means you were doing the wrong kind of diet that fought against your body. What you need is not a perfect diet or intense exercise. 1053 characters.

Even if the food is the same, eating hastily makes it feel like you haven't really eaten. When your appetite is not satisfied, you want to eat more food. To feel sufficient satisfaction and fulfill your appetite through meals, you need to pay attention to how you eat.

When eating rice at a sushi omakase, I do not look at my smartphone. I do not swallow without chewing a few times. Before eating, I observe what kind of fish it is and how it looks. I listen carefully to explanations about when each fish is in season, what it pairs well with, and how to enjoy it best. I boldly try ingredients I usually do not like. I focus on every moment and savor the sensations in my mouth. I also share my impressions of the taste with the people I eat with. Depending on how many pieces of sushi are left, I adjust the amount of rice to control how full I feel. I express gratitude to the chef who prepared the delicious meal.

This way of eating is called 'mindful eating.' 'Mindful' means focusing on the present moment and fully feeling and accepting emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations. 'Mindful eating' is a way of eating that involves being aware of the bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts that arise while focusing on the act of eating.

Mindful eating also has weight loss effects. According to one study, 86% of overweight participants succeeded in losing weight with mindful eating alone, without diet or exercise. Moreover, mindful eating is excellent at controlling stress-induced binge eating.

When practicing mindful eating, you will not feel empty wondering, "When did I finish eating?" This is because you fully focus on the act of eating and are aware of what you are doing. By paying attention to your body and mind like this, you get to know yourself better. We often think we know ourselves well, but without careful observation, it is difficult to understand our state. Practice and training are needed to understand yourself well. This training can start with feeling hunger, fullness, and deliciousness at every meal.

With mindful eating, even the same food tastes better and is more enjoyable. Eating slowly helps prevent overeating or binge eating and improves digestion.

- Lee Yuju, <So That Mood Does Not Become Appetite>, Book Table, 18,800 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.