My body has changed quite a bit in the last few years, mostly from a 30 lb weight gain. I was depressed, anxious and grieving the loss of my mom. I tried to find quick ways to stop the gain or lose the pounds but there isn’t a quick fix. Even if you found this quick fix, it isn’t healthy or sustainable. Instead of focusing on how much I dislike my body or how it makes me feel about myself, I am working on loving myself for who I am and what I look like. You can’t expect to look great if you don’t feel great, and it is possible to feel great right now. Drop the judgement of yourself. Would you say to others what you say to yourself? It can be hard work, but every time you judge yourself negatively, apologize to yourself and send that negativity out of your body to let God/the universe deal with. Let it go, stop judging, love yourself. Now, start taking care of yourself. Think to yourself you want to be healthy, treat your body good, and feel good as a result.
Ayurvedic Weight Loss:
The “Bhaishajya Rathavali” says: Persons indulging in physical exercise, worry, long walk, intake of honey, remaining awake at night, taking barley as food gets rid of obesity.” I wouldn’t suggest staying awake at night for most people as rest keeps the mind and body energized and invigorated.
Ayurvedic principles for weight loss suggest:
- Take time to exercise every day
- Drink more water than you feel is needed
- Meals should include foods that are in season, super foods such as ghee, honey, almonds, and dates. Largest meal should be mid-day (10-2) which is when your digestive system is firing the most. Smallest meal should be dinner. Dinner should be vegetarian, hot, light, and soupy including barley, green gram, brown rice, wheat cooked in water, and steamed, roasted, or sautéed veggies. Warm foods are easiest to digest. Avoid cheese, yogurt, rich desserts, red meat, leftovers, cold food, and processed food. Reduce evening consumption of fish, fowl, and starches. Go light with dinner as digestion is at its weakest. In the evening, undigested foods turn into toxins and turn into fat.
Breakfast: hot oatmeal, fresh fruit, or egg whites as yolks are hard to digest
Lunch: can include cheese, eggs, meat, desserts
Dinner: soups, cooked veggies
A Journey of Mindfulness 