Misinformation about weight loss abounds, and anyone who's tried to diet knows it. We begin strict diets with the best of intentions, but they ultimately result in feelings of failure as we boomerang back to our original weight, or -- even worse -- gain more. This lifestyle is unsustainable, unnerving and, frankly, unfulfilling. We blame ourselves, saying, "If only I had more willpower," when the reality for most people is that crash-course diets don't work.

And they don't have to. It is possible to attain a healthy weight and have a more satisfying life at the same time by simply paying attention to what and how we eat. People like Mondo Samu, who's lost over 100 pounds through mindful eating and mindful living, are a good example.

When practiced regularly, mindful eating enhances every aspect of our daily existence, and is therefore self-perpetuating. Instead of a diet, which gets harder to adhere to once the initial excitement wears, mindfulness becomes more rewarding as we practice and notice that we're not only loosing weight, but also gaining energy, emotional stability, compassion, gratitude and joy. The best part: We get to enjoy our food more -- it actually tastes better.

Try these seven mindful eating practices for one week, and let me know how it goes. My guess: You will be pleasantly surprised and ready for more. 

"You are free to be here." -- Thich Nhat Hanh

This simple idea opens a world of relief. We can unburden ourselves of past suffering by realizing that however painful experiences were, they are not happening to us in the present moment. The suffering from the past is a shadow that we allow to haunt us.

The application of mindfulness, the state of being fully present in the here and now, has proved so useful in transforming past pain in to peace that prisons, detention centers and psychotherapists treating veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are increasingly implementing mindfulness-based programs. The results for individuals who participate, and their communities, have been promising.

Dr. Carol Scott: What is your definition of mindful living? How has this philosophy helped your life, and what are the lessons that we can learn?

Dr. Lilian Cheung: Mindfulness is our ability to be fully present in each moment with a receptive, curious and open kind of awareness. We approach each moment with a beginner’s mind, without any biases or preconceived notions- no colored lenses, essentially. 

Mindful living simply means bringing mindfulness to everything we do throughout our day. 

In terms of how it has helped me- it has helped me tremendously in managing the stress of juggling my career, my family - as a wife and mother of 3. It has helped me to be much more efficient with everything I do and I end up enjoying life much more, every day.

CS: I had the privilege of hearing you give a presentation recently and it was just phenomenal, I think the audience was spellbound, your messages were so clear…