Synopses & Reviews
Eating the Moment Mindfulness itself has been studied in recent years and found to effectively reduce symptoms of chronic pain, anxiety and panic, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, and depression, as well as a range of other health and psychological problems. Recent research has shown mindfulness to be effective in helping binge eaters control their binging and to feel more in control of their eating. In Eating the Moment, Buddhist psychologist Pavel Somov introduces techniques, exercises, and tools to help overeaters to slow down and become more aware of their food and food-related issues such as triggers for overeating. Readers can then use these techniques to get control over their overeating. Topics include: Environmental triggers for eating The process of eating When and why we stop eating Cravings The sensual aspects of eating Emotional eating Searching for meaning in food Developing a philosophy of eating Unlike most books about eating, Somov doesn't judge the reader for emotional eating, being triggered into eating, or eating out of boredom. He doesn't tell the reader how to eat; instead, he helps the reader become more aware of why he or she is eating at the moment, and helps the reader slow down, develop awareness of the experience of eating, and become more centered around his or her eating. Binge eaters and compulsive eaters usually report that they feel out of control of their eating. When they overeat, they may feel shame and guilt, leading them to restrict their eating, which makes them feel punished and unhappy, which then triggers them into overeating again. By developing habitual awareness and a playful attitude about the process of eating, a compulsive eater will find that hisor her eating slows down, becoming less compulsive and dictated by external forces such as boredom, emotional pain, or habit. There are 141 specific exercises in this book to promote mindful eating, as well as brief discussions of why we eat and stop eating, mindfulness principles, finding meaning in food and the act of eating, and developing a philosophy of eating.
Review
"Eating the Moment is a quick, enjoyable read full of creative, clever exercises and insightful, thought-provoking text. Rather than being shamed into deprivation, readers are taught original exercises to help them learn about their palates and manage their appetites. Who knew that weight control could be so fun and empowering?"
—Dina Cheney, author of Tasting Club
Review
"In Eating the Moment, Somov gives you the practical tools you need to reap the rewards of eating more mindfully. Read it and discover how to have a relationship with food that is smarter, healthier, more conscious, and enjoyable."
—Deborah Kesten, MPH, author of The Enlightened Diet
Review
"Somov is one of the most creative psychologists around. He is knowledgeable about research-based and effective therapy techniques. He is aware of Eastern philosophies, and Buddhism in particular. And he is a productive therapist who knows how to translate knowledge into personal action for clients. All of these gifts are evident in Somov’s book, Eating the Moment, which is not only informative, not only good reading, but also tremendously helpful in the most difficult area of behavior change—losing and keeping off weight."
—Stanton Peele, Ph. D., JD, author of Seven Tools to Beat Addiction and Addiction-Proof Your Child
Review
"Eating the Moment is a thoughtful feast for those who want to understand the psychology of eating and how to overcome mindlessness with food. The 141 eating practices are easy-to-grasp appetizers for becoming more aware, overcoming craving, and transforming your experience with food. If you have ever wanted a primer on eating skills that you never learned at home or in school, this book is an excellent place to start.
—Donald Altman, author of Meal by Meal and Art of the Inner Meal
Synopsis
Do you use food to comfort yourself when you're feeling depressed or stressed? Do you sometimes eat simply because you're bored? There are so many opportunities to snack and overeat mindlessly, it's no wonder that most diets fail. But mindless eating can lead to health problems, obesity, and a feeling that you've lost control.
Eating the Moment offers 141 mindfulness activities to help you listen to your body, understand why you're eating, and control your cravings if you're eating out of habit or because of your emotions. You won't find any start dates, dieting tips, or meal plans in this book, just practical and meaningful exercises to help you end mindless eating and begin nourishing yourself in healthy and fulfilling ways.
Visit the author's blog at: http://www.eatingthemoment.com/mindstream/ or keep a food journal with the mindful eating tracker: http://www.eatingthemoment.com/mindfulness-tracker/
Synopsis
Psychological know-how and Buddhist wisdom combine in Eating the Moment to offer readers compassionate, meal-by-meal advice for developing a healthful and satisfying relationship to food that can correct problems with binge eating, compulsive overeating, and other food-related problems.
About the Author
Pavel G. Somov. Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Pittsburgh, PA. The mindful-eating program presented in this book uses techniques and tools he developed for his clients. He has successfully used similar mindfulness-based interventions with substance abusers in recovery. Somov emigrated from Russia at the age of twenty-one and became a US citizen in 1996. He received his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2000