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<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2
face=Arial>Buddha may have been a vegetarian or, say some disciples, he may have
eaten whatever he was offered, including vegetables, fruit and meats. But his
eating style is not what we mean when we talk about the power of the "meditation
diet." <BR><BR>A study in the journal Obesity reveals that folks who have higher
levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their hair (yup, stress even gets in
there!) suffer from chronic stress, have larger waist circumferences (making
their RealAge older), weigh more and have a higher body mass index.
<BR><BR>Whether stress comes first followed by weight gain, or extra pounds fuel
your body's stress responses doesn't matter; we bet it's both. In studies at Dr.
Mike's Cleveland Clinic, taking an online stress-busting course resulted in a
three-quarter-pound weight loss each week for the eight weeks participants took
the course. <BR><BR>So, if you're struggling to achieve a healthy weight, it's
time to try the stress-busting meditation diet. Bonus: You'll also have a
noticeably sharper memory and a clearer brain. <BR><BR>Set aside times in your
schedule to meditate. Find a quiet environment; turn off cellphones and
disconnect from the internet. Then ... <BR><BR>1. Sit in a comfortable position
with good posture. Breathe in through your nose slowly for four seconds and
exhale slowly through an open mouth, saying, "Om." Repeat. Over time, build up
to an eight-second exhale. <BR><BR>2. Let your mind drift. Recognize thoughts as
they float by; let them drift away. You'll be dispelling stress and the cortisol
that packs on pounds. </FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>