Transform Your weight loss efforts the easy way
Are you tired of trying quick-fix diets that don’t work in the long run? If so, you are not alone. The mysteries of the human body have always fascinated both researchers and those facing challenges for sustainable weight loss in the long run.
More and more people all over the world, particularly those looking for a sustainable, long-term solution to weight management and leading a healthy, disease-free lifestyle are rapidly turning to gaining an understanding their own body through the system of Ayurveda, to lead healthy lives and increase their longevity.
Understanding the science of Ayurveda
Ayurveda, when translated from Sanskrit, means “the science of life.” It’s believed to be more than 5,000 years old and is based on the principle that every individual type of body is unique and that there is no single solution for all the ailments in the body, including weight loss.
Rather than focusing on the short term aspects of a lifestyle, it takes a holistic view of the lifestyle factors, that are the root cause of any disease.
The objective of the system is to prevent disease and promote holistic health by reinforcing the connection between the body, mind, and spirit, rather than seeking an individual short term solution to any health challenge that the body faces.
The logic behind different types of "doshas" in the body
Ayurveda works on the principle of “Dosha”, which means “the primary or root cause of the problem” in the individual body type to help decide what kind of diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices are best for your type of body.
Each body contains three types of “Doshas” and their levels in each body differ with distinct physical characteristics that are related to the body’s metabolism, digestion and energy levels.
There are three main types of doshas:
"vata dosha" and its impact on the body
This body type consists of a composition of two natural elements namely, air and space. That is why a body with Vata dosha is described as light, active, and creative.
Those individuals with the Vata dosha are usually known to be slim, active in terms of metabolism, and creative in terms of mind. Just like the wind, which move very fast, their minds can be easily distracted.
Their moods are dependent on external environments, particularly the weather, the people around them, and the foods they eat. Therefore, such individual body types are more prone to weather related diseases like colds, have trouble sleeping when the outside temperature rises or falls, and are prone to digestive disorders due to their eating habits.
"Kapha" and its impact on the body
Kapha (pronounced as “kuffa”), type of body contains the elements of earth and water. They are known to be more calm, steady, and grounded.
These types of individuals are known for keeping things together and being a support system for others around them. Kapha dominant individuals tend to be calm by nature, just like water, think before acting, and go through life systematic, organized manner.
They are prone to be heavy, that is gain weight easily, suffer from slow metabolism levels in their body, and prone to sluggishness. They carry a high risk of chronic diseases both physical and mental once they start aging due to their tendency to lead an inactive lifestyle.
That is why it is important for a Kapha dominant individual to focus on a healthy diet and regular exercise, besides maintaining a regular sleep routine as part of healthy lifestyle habits.
"pitta" and its impact on the body
Pitta type individuals are known to be associated with a tenacious personality that is strong, focused, and driven because the Pitta type of body is based on opposite elements of fire and water.
Due to the elements of fire and water, they are prone to being impatient, angry, suffer from extreme mood swings, particularly when hungry.
Due to the excess heat that their body generates, these body types are prone to inflammatory disorders and also tend to suffer from acne and other skin related disorders.
Those with a pitta-dominant dosha should focus on work-life balance and avoid environments that have high temperatures and foods in their diets that generate heat, for example spicy foods.
importance of timing and the practice of "Dinacharya"
A healthy lifestyle is nothing but a set of daily self-care practices, that individuals have built up over a period of time. Therefore, the practice of “Dinacharya”, or adhering to different timings during the day are an important component of the Ayurveda process.
Ayurveda teaches us that when we eat matters just as much as what we eat. Here’s a simple daily meal plan based on the different times of the day:
Breakfast
Breakfast should be ideally between 7:30 am – 9:00 am and should contain foods that are light yet filling in nature that can keep the stomach full for 4-5 hours till the next meal time.
Lunch
Lunch time should ideally be between 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and should be the heaviest meal of the day consisting of foods that can keep the body’s energy levels running for the next 5-6 hours.
Dinner
Dinner should preferably be between 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Keep it light on the stomach and include those foods that are easy to digest.
Though meal timings depend on a variety of factors, sticking to disciplined meal timings helps improve the body’s digestive systems and helps manage the fat levels in the body as the body tends to store less fat. This helps with better weight management and keeps the body free from the risk of chronic digestive disorders.
why a balancing of 6 tastes is required
According to the principles of Ayurveda, the senses in the body are capable of recognizing six different types of tastes that include: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes. An ideal diet would make an effort to include all six types of tastes.
Sweet, sour and salty tastes are Anabolic in nature, that is, the nutrients in the foods with these tastes tend to build the energy levels in the body.
On the other hand, pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes are Catabolic in nature. The foods with these tastes tend to burn the energy levels in the body.
Too many sweet, sour, and salty tastes, such as those found in the Standard American Diet (SAD), may result in rapid weight gain, as it causes an imbalance in the body’s nutrient levels.
Consuming a balance of bitter foods, such as leafy greens; pungent foods, such as spicy chili peppers; and astringent foods, such as pomegranate seeds, provide healthy counterpoints to the building nature of sweet or sugary foods, sour or acidic foods, and salty tastes that contain sodium, thereby counterbalancing the levels of nutrients in the body.
Nutritional research mentions that having too much sweet, salty, or sour foods as part of a diet plan can make you gain weight. But adding bitter, pungent, and astringent foods helps balance that out and maintain the weight levels in the body.
Importance of building a set of daily healthy habits
Ayurveda isn’t just about food. It’s about managing a holistic lifestyle that is based on developing a set of positive habits that are beneficial for long term health.
Here are some simple things you can do every day to support your weight goals:
Drinking warm water with lemon first thing in the morning
First thing in the morning, gulp down a large glass of warm water with organic lemon. This helps to stimulate the entire digestive system which has been dehydrated and gives you a jump start on the day’s energy levels after detoxification of the body’s systems.
every movement in the body counts
Exercising enough to break a sweat is recommended as a daily morning practice for the body to achieve healthy levels of healthy weight loss; The ideal time for exercise should be limited to 45 to 60 minutes, but 30 minutes would suffice for a healthy body.
Find an activity that you can commit to as a healthy habit to maintain for the rest of your life, and you would never have to step forcefully into a gym or enroll in a weight loss boot camp at least for the foreseeable future.
Meditate or breathe deeply for 5–10 minute daily
Find five to ten minutes, of peace and relaxation in the early morning, preferably before starting your day’s activities. The practices of certain techniques such as meditation and deep breathing, in the morning before starting the day, induce a relaxation response in the body and the mind.
This helps to reduce the stress levels in the body, which could be one of the leading causes of weight gain. The regular practice of meditation also puts the body in a more mindful and present state of mind, increasing the metabolism and levels of concentration.
eating slowly and without distractions
Ayurveda also highlights the importance of mindful eating and focusing on digestive health. Focusing on eating slowly and relishing each bite can assist in becoming more aware of your body’s hunger and fullness levels. Eating in a relaxed environment is also important, as undue stress levels while eating can disrupt hormonal levels for digestion and lead to overeating in the process, and also lead to digestive disorders.
early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy wealth and wise
In our school days, we have heard this often that early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. This highlights the importance of getting enough restorative sleep for the body.
The body needs its share of rest to restore its systems to their working order and keep the body free from disease. This rest is derived from quality sleep.
Even though the body’s physical organs are at rest, the other systems in the body are at work, including the digestive system and the excretory system that cleans the body of its toxins and keeps the body disease free.
The practice of Ayurveda, as part of its holistic approach, stresses on the importance of sleeping habits as part of its daily routine. That is why it advocates an early dinner and rest for the body for a period of at least 8-10 hours, depending upon the type of body and age, among other factors.
use of herbs and supplements for weight loss
Ayurveda, as part of healthy lifestyle management encourages the use of natural herbs to help your body work better, minus the side effects.
Besides a balanced diet, some common herbs and remedies used for weight loss, include:
Triphala
Triphala, an ayurvedic herbal remedy, is known for its anti-inflammatory and detoxification properties. It helps reduce the inflammation levels in the body and also helps improve the digestion levels in the body, among others, besides other benefits like managing dental health.
guggul
Guggul, another ayurvedic ingredient, supports metabolic health levels in the body and is therefore helpful in managing health issues like obesity and osteoarthritis.
garcinia cambogia
Garcinia Cambogia, also known brindle berry, is a tropical species of Garcinia that is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. Nutritional research on the plant shows that Garcinia cambogia, has a beneficial impact on the management of cholesterol levels and managing appetite levels in the body.
It is often used in the form of a weight loss supplement as it helps reduce the appetite levels in the body, making it easier to lose weight. Research shows that it reacts negatively with certain types of medications. Therefore, it is always a better option to consult a medical specialist before taking in any weight loss supplement.
Final thoughts: small steps lead to big results
The practice of Ayurveda definitely doesn’t promise the moon in terms of quick fixes, it focuses on managing lasting change in managing a healthy lifestyle through the implementation of small, daily choices, that lay the foundation of healthy habits.
Overall, it offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to weight loss that emphasizes supporting the on the whole rather than just addressing a single problem.
One can easily achieve weight loss goals while also cultivating greater health and well-being in all aspects of life by incorporating Ayurvedic principles and practices as a part of a healthy lifestyle routine.
Managing a healthy lifestyle is all about developing the right set of small daily habits, on a regular basis. Following these simple steps can have a big impact on your life. It is necessary to make small changes in daily habits by taking small steps at first in order to strengthen them.
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