Dr. Ellen Langer

Well, that's what seemed to be the case with the chambermaid's study.

But I think that, again, if you want to stop doing something that you're doing, the best way to do it is not to look at the result of what you've done, but to look at why you're doing it in the first place.

Can you give me an example?

Well, sure.

You know, that I've gained 20 pounds, therefore I want to take off the 20 pounds.

Why did you gain the 20 pounds?

You know, were you eating because you were anxious?

Well, then we have to find a way of not being so anxious.

I think that for many people who are trying to lose weight, they are not paying attention to why they gained it in the first place.

If you are mindful, you would notice that you gained three pounds.

Taking off three pounds is not very hard for most people.

If you don't notice until you go up two sizes… Then you're not being mindful.

Exactly.

You're not paying attention.

You're not paying attention.

Well, paying attention sounds big.

You're just noticing little things, and then it becomes much more doable.

And people have written now about mindful eating.

In fact, the word is so out there that I think that its importance may get lost with that, but I'm glad it's having an influence.

Sure.