Well, if AOL says it, it must be true! One of AOL’s 30 ways to lose weight is to sit and breath.

They’re referring to the recent research that found that too much cortisol in your body, which is produced when you’re stressed out, makes you store weight around your middle. Meditation and other relaxing activities like yoga help you calm down. When you’re calm your body doesn’t produce the stress hormones and presto, you lose weight. I would also add that learning how to breath and stay relaxed also helps if you’re someone who eats when feeling anxious and upset.

I find that using the ’sit and breath’ time to focus on intentions is a great use of the time. It reminds you and helps you to stay the course. I think it’s also powerful to come up with a visual that represents how you want to be in your life. It doesn’t have to be something literal (here’s skinny-me frolicking on the beach in a bikini!), a symbol is handy too. Something to use as a touchpoint and recall during the day.

But I think the best reason to take ’sit and breath’ time is to simply take some time for ourselves. Instead of always rushing off to the next thing, what better gift is there than to make some space for ourselves as we move toward our goals and intentions. Because if weight loss isn’t about taking care of ourselves and our health, then it’s not going to be any fun. And if it’s not fun, why would anyone want to stick with it?