Mindfulness is a hot topic these days because the act of being fully present is essential to making effective lifestyle choices.

While mindfulness and presence are practically synonymous, consider this definition of the word presence: “a person’s bearing, especially when it commands respectful attention.”

I just love this! What deserves more respectful attention than what we put into our bodies!?

I find this to be the most important aspect of my work with clients and in my own health practices. I encourage you to allow more “being” in your wellness efforts.

Here are some ideas for practicing presence. Choose the one that resonates most with you for today, and see if you can fit in at least one other some time this week. Who knows, this could bring you to a place of regular presence with your food:

Feel your food. Use touch during meal preparation to increase awareness of what you are about to eat. Notice the feel of the packaging, whether it’s natural or synthetic, hard or soft, paper or plastic, warm or cool, wet or dry, etc.

Get grounded. Take just one minute to get your “bearings” as mentioned in the definition above. Be completely still and notice in your body, not just your mind, where you are and what you feel in the moments before eating.

Build your breath. Deep, rhythmic breathing has profound health benefits and is the single best way to become fully present. Intentionally take one deep full breath as a transition from one bite to the next. Allow breath to expand your pleasure in eating and keep you connected to your body.

Practice presence and enjoy the gifts of great health!

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Julie Norman, nicknamed "The Body Image Guru" by clients, guides women to live authentically healthy lives through peaceful body image, intuitive eating and mindful movement. She blends professional nutrition guidance with the wisdom of yoga to help women transform the ways in which they care for and experience their bodies. She maintains a private practice, REAL Nutrition, LLC, and is the creator of Body Karma Healing, a yoga-based program intended to help women transform body image from painful to peaceful. Julie believes healing individual body image pain helps us heal the world! Get started with her guiding DVD.