I'm so happy I stumbled across this thread. I went to a Buddhist University in a very health-conscious town, and I had started to believe that there was no such thing as an overweight Buddhist! I'm glad to find that I'm not alone.

I don't consider myself a Buddhist, but found through contemplative education that the principles guiding the religion are much in tune with my own beliefs and struggles, particularly the ideals of non-attachment and compassion.

I'd like to find a way to explore my relationship with food, exercise, and the body through this. Im not sure exactly how that looks, but it's a path I'd like to explore.

I look forward to joining you!

Greetings, those engaged in the weight-loss path! This thread is not dead--but for the longest time I could not get on to 3FC! Just kept getting "The Page Cannot Be Found." Finally--back again!

Those of us who follow the Buddhist path know that cause and effect is a big part of existence, and certainly this applies to weight gain and loss. We also know that this life is filled with wanting to satisfy desire again and again, and this also applies to weight gain and loss. Whenever we eat those wonderful, tasty, pleasurable foods to excess, we reap what we sow.

Mindfulness means staying aware of what we're doing (eating) and why, and realizing that we have a choice every time.

Please, if you have given up on this thread, come back!

Namaste,
Jay

Hi, Jay - glad to see you posting again. I've been watching this thread, but didn't have much to add. I may be starting a meditation class at our local sangha, which I'm really excited about. Maybe I'll meditate on my relationship w/ food.

Ha! Just watch the outbreath--everything else is "thinking."

I am listening to a series of CDs by Pema Chodron, in which she discusses--well, many things--but one thing she discussed that comes to mind about weight loss and food is envy. Seeing someone else getting something or doing something and feeling envious. I think this especially can be a trigger for eating the wrong things, for example, "So and so is having a piece of cake, and they are [overweight, undeserving, selfish--fill in the blank] and it's unfair. I deserve to have some too."

Instead, she suggests cultivating joy that the other person is having that good thing, without coveting it for ourselves.

Thoughts?

C'mon, folks! I know some of you must drop in from time to time--please add some comments to keep our thread going. Are you having success in your program? Is your Buddhist practice helping--or not?

Jay

i have a big question is there any type of bhuddism i can follow where i dont' have to give up meat. i've read all the taoist books. read the i ching 4 times(still no idea what it means lol) and some bhuddist stuff but see i don't eat veg i promote veg as bad for me due to what is sprayed on it and i can't afford organic. so basically meat is my primary diet

Hey, Slimmingsi!

You don't have to be vegetarian to be Buddhist. That's a common misconception among Westerners. Even the Buddha is reported to have eaten meat, in one of the sutras.

Tibetan Buddhists in particular do eat meat, mostly because in Tibet and Nepal there are very few other types of food. Ideally one would prefer to avoid eating a lot of animal foods because that way animals (sentient beings) would not be killed or suffer--but you won't going to some sort of Buddhist "****" (which doesn't exist) if you do. Karma attaches to everything, however.

Jay

Hello out there! It's hard to believe that no one has posted on our Buddhist Support thread for two months. Have you all attained weight loss? I certainly hope so!

Awhile ago a friend of mine was toasting cornbread in the toaster oven, and it smelled soooooo good! I was about to feel sorry for myself because I couldn't eat any--but then I had the thought that I could simply enjoy the smell. No reason why I had to feel deprived just because I couldn't go directly from smelling to eating. And it was a lovely smell. After that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jay

Hello:

Earlier, I sat down to do some online research without knowing exactly what information I hoped to find. I ran a search for the words “Buddhist, weight loss” and this message board was the first result. The ideas, thoughts, and guidance in your postings turned out to be exactly what I wanted. Reading and reflecting on your posts has been very enjoyable and it was disappointing for the conversation to fade.

This past fall, I was suddenly exposed to a new way of thinking. During a three week visit, my aunt, a practicing Buddhist, shared much about her religion. I was surprised by how connected I felt to the teachings and practices she spoke of. Like many of you, I was instantly drawn to, and very eager to start understanding the theories of Buddhism.

Some of you might enjoy the book I have starting reading called The Tantric Distinction: An Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism by Jeffrey Hopkins. I feel he does a good job explaining some very complicated ideas. Slowly I am reading/re-reading for understanding, and I have slowly been trying to incorporate some of the practices into my life. Reading your experiences, like how to practice mindfulness, will surely help.

Anyway, I have been aware for some time now, that I need to change my unhealthy ways. I have gained and lost weight several times now, but this time it has been difficult to get started. I can definitely relate to the post by Laura on the temporary “diet fix”. I feel like unless a diet and exercise plan is going to be a permanent lifestyle change, then why bother doing it. The weight will just creep up again when I fall off the plan. This led me to believe Buddhist practices could be applied to the weight loss challenge. Your posts have helped me see how!

I guess we can choose to perceive the benefits of such a challenge. It has obviously provoked some of us to seek knowledge and practice applying it to daily life.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts; I hope everyone begins to post again even if it is only periodically.

Best,
Sara

Hello, Sara! Lucky me to check the forum today!

I am doing well, and I hope you are, too. My weight loss dharma continues. Right now I'm having "success" instead of "failure"--such interesting terms, and so much "all in one's head."

Thanks so much for the reference to that book! I'll look for it.

Buddhism has shown me how much my food desires are automatic or are based on something other than really needing food, and that's been very helpful. It's the cycle of always being dissatisfied--dukkha is the term for that. "The unsatisfactoriness of our current existence." For me, learning to just be where I am without trying to fix it with food is an ongoing effort.

Please check in from time to time!

Namaste,
Jay

I am curious--who among those who visit this thread have taken refuge formally?

I am about to do so later this month with the Khenpos.

Jay

well i thought i'd bring this back to the top and maybe keep the 6 weekly posting ritual alive lol

Thanks for posting, slimmingsi! And happy Losar (Tibetan Buddhist New Year--coming up on Tuesday).

I have found that if I can distract myself from wanting to snack if I use the time to do some practices instead, such as meditation or other practices. It helps to get me out of that cycle of wanting.

Jay

i just have a nice biiiiiiigggggggggggg! mug of green tea

Hey! I just noticed your numbers! That's really great, slimmingsi! You are an inspiration--I think I'll go for that green tea myself.

Jay