Namaste, and Tashi Deleks! This is the second Buddhist thread here on 3 Fat Chicks. The first thread got too long!

I'm a Tibetan Buddhist (but caucasian American). I'd like to hear others' experiences in applying the teachings of Buddhism to your weight loss program. Also, anyone who is interested in what Buddhism is all about is welcome to join in!

I've been trying to lose weight for a long time, and right now I'm pretty stuck at one weight. I've been trying to get off of it for months! Grrrrr! I notice that I am thinking too far into the future--how long will it take, will I never be able to eat XX again, things like this.

I read something once said by a Zen Buddhist teacher:

There is nothing to fear in this moment,
And this is the only moment there is.

I try to remember to be appreciative of my precious human life and this wonderful body that I have.

Please join in!

Hi, I'm a budding Buddhist and weight loss warrior. I've just in the past year begun making the move to Buddhism, studying the teachings and getting involved in the local community. I'm glad I made the choice, I finallly feel spiritually at home. I'm glad there are other Buddhists on this site and would welcome any input on how to incorporate Buddhist thought, practice etc. into the weight loss effort.
A quote from Thich Nhat Hanh

"Only dwelling in the present can make us free. We have to look into our suffering, our craving. And when we see its face we will smile: you cannot make me your prisoner any more."

Liz-z78, I like the quote from Thich Nhat Hanh. One approach that sometimes helps me is to watch my food cravings and try to distinguish what is really hunger and what is really just boredom, nervousness, and so on. In other words, observe the feelings instead of automatically acting on them. Sometimes I find myself actually taking food out of a package (like nuts, crackers) before I "wake up" and realize I'm on automatic pilot!

May we be free of suffering and the cause of suffering
May we know joy and the cause of joy

hi guys i'm kinda buddhist on a loose basis till next month when i take up classes with our local community. i'm a special type of buddhist as i eat meat. as a physiologist i cant deprive my body esential nutrients that a non meat diet can't provide without supplements. i'm also a highly sporty person who does lots of contact sports which i can't maintain without it.

next month i'm moving out of home into my student house and i'm giving up driving and hopefully going completely organic.

Hi slimmings,
I think the choice of wether or not you eat meat is a personal one, I chose not to eat meat. But I felt that I need to inform you that there are plenty of athletes that are vegan. That includes olympic track star Carl Lewis (vegan), professional Ironman Brendan Brazier (vegan) and Chris Campbell, olympic wrestler (vegetarian). And check out veganbodybuilding.com for some very muscular non-meat eaters.
Again I'm not trying to convert you or anything, the choice of wether or not to eat meat is yours to make but please know that a non-meater is fully capable of competing and excelling in the athletic field. And the only nutrient they need to fear being short on is B12 and even that can come from plant sources.

Hey, Slimmingsi! Glad to see you're around!

The Dalai Lama has said that he has tried not to eat meat, but that it is too hard for him. On doctor's orders, he eats meat every other day, but he tries not to eat too much.

I am not a vegetarian. Some Buddhists are, some are not. It seems as though Western Buddhists are more "into" being vegetarian, although it is not a part of the precepts. Oddly enough, many Westerners seem to drink alcohol, although not using intoxicants IS one of the precepts. But, as with most things in Buddhism, one must make one's own choice. Consequences are what they are.

I am doing better with my weight loss since I joined the local YMCA gym. I'm going there 6 times a week. Yesterday while I was there, the TV near my exercycle was showing The Golden Child! I've seen it before, but I liked being able to watch it.

Namaste!
Jay

I know there are more Buddhists, or people interested in Buddhism, who are viewing our Buddhist thread. Please post! We want to hear from you.

I have managed to get off the plateau and lose a few more pounds since I last posted.

"Avoid extremes--eat neither too little nor too much."

Gosh, where have all the Buddhists gone?

I'm at a retreat this week (obviously not a strict one since I'm emailing), and the Sangha provides breakfast and lunch. I'm doing quite well so far, mostly because much of the food is vegetarian. I do watch the ingredients, though, since I don't want too much fat or sugar. And I simply consider the dessert trays off limits.

Well, unless we get some more Buddhist posts, I suppose this will be the end of the thread.

Namaste!

Jay

Dear JayEll,

I am curious to learn more about Buddhism. I have been curious about it for some time, and I have never heard a bad word said against it. Would you be able to point me in the right direction? I have signed up to my uni Buddist group today, I will see where that takes me.

Warm Regards

Kylie

Hi!!! So nice to see a post on our old Buddhist thread. Be sure to check out also the thread "A Buddhist View of Eating" in this forum.

There are many types of Buddhism and Buddhists, and you want to make sure that whatever Buddhism you follow is in a recognized lineage and has a good teacher. That said, however, you should also feel free to explore! Questioning is considered a good thing.

The main divisions of Buddhism are Theravada, which is practiced in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, etc.), Mahayana, which is practiced mostly in Korea, China, and Japan, and Vajrayana, which is Tibetan and also includes one sect in Japan. The divisions are based on teachings the Buddha gave at different times in his life--he lived to be 80 years old, so there is quite a large body of teachings. All three are considered legitimate paths.

So, I guess that's a good place to start!

I try to apply Buddhist ideas to my weight loss by considering how attachment and clinging to things like, gosh, food? has led to my gaining weight over years of time. The Buddhist path is a path free from extremes, meaning in the case of eating, not overindulging in food nor starving oneself.

Jay

Thanks Jay

I will back when I have a little more time to post a proper reply.

Kylie

Wow, a diet Buddhist thread. Wonderful

I combine my Buddhism with Wicca - the two go together well. Several years ago I joined Rigpa in London but at the moment I am not a member of any particular Sangha since I moved to Manchester and have yet to go see the local Buddhist Centre.

My big problem over the years has been binge eating and when I think of it in relation to my faith, it is somewhat contrary as binging, what with me having a big attachment to food lol It also raises questions to me about my mental health. I think I know me pretty well, meditate every day and try to practice living mindfulness, but when it comes to food, I can sometimes barely remember what I have stuffed down my face. Food is such an earthy thing - a big attachment to the physical. Bit like money really.

Recently, I have been determined to exercise mindfulness in relation to food - to turn eating into a focus and meditation exercise. It's really hard. But I shall prevail. It's just food, right!

Hello, Cbooth! Glad to see you posting.

Yes, binging really is the opposite of mindfulness, isn't it? To say nothing of attachment to pleasure. It's not that pleasure is "wrong" of course. It's the attachment aspect--the wanting more--the deviation from the path free from extremes.

Good luck in staying aware!

Jay

I've been doing more reading on Buddhism this year (Pema Chodron) and I was delighted to see the group on 3FC!

Since I started the Body for Life program, I've been thinking about how my desire to change into "buff girl" fits in with the Buddhist principle that we have everything we need and there isn't anything to change (only to discover) about yourself.

By extension, when I weigh myself and think about how great it will be when I get to a certain point is that antitheical to Buddhist principles.

I will fully accept that I'm over thinking this! (grin) Anyone have thoughts about this?

Yeah, that's an interesting point! I've thought about that myself.

I suppose if we are thinking that by losing weight, "Now my life will work, it will be perfect, I'll be perfect" or things like that, it's just another delusion of samsara.

But I don't think it's antithetical to Buddhist principles to want to be as healthy as possible, so that one can live a long life and help others. I'm interested to see what others think about this.

Buff girl or not buff girl--I don't know! I think it has to do with attitude. Any kind of striving can become a trap of the ego--or not!

Namaste!
Jay