How to Lose Weight For Good (safely) with Maharishi Ayurveda

Date Posted:19 August 2011 

Do you feel a little more round than you would like? Or do you have a weight problem? Doctors and scientists generally agree that men with more than 25% body fat and women with more than 30% body fat have a weight problem.

According to Ayurveda there is not a one size fits all. Some people are naturally more round, with a mild appetite and a slow efficient metabolism that easily gains weight and require a focused effort to loose weight. While another person may have a slim to thin body shape with a fast metabolism which requires regular meals to keep comfortable. Every individual has an ideal weight to fit his or her unique nature. Read below to see what type of weight gain you are prone to:

Kapha-type weight gain

Do you gain weight even though you eat small amounts of food? This is often due to a lack of digestive fire and a low metabolic rate. This is a very common reason for weight gain. The solution is to follow a waste and toxin-eliminating program.

Pitta-type weight gain

Are you often hungry and thirsty? Do you suffer from heartburn and feel hot, irritable and impatient easily? This occurs when a person has long-term waste build-up and the channels around the stomach are clogged, creating too much heat in the body. These individuals should be on a cooling diet to eliminate toxins.

Vata-type weight gain

Are you normally thin and wiry and been under a period of mental stress during which you have forgotten to eat? Resulting in a slow but sure weight gain which surprises you. When under stress, Vata people may forget to eat regularly, thus disturbing their digestion, and clogging the channels — this may lead to weight gain.

Our Getting the Balance Program has a different approach to weight control. We don’t focus on appetite suppression or calorie reduction because that slows down fat metabolism. If the body doesn’t assimilate fat and carbohydrates effectively, then fat and impurities accumulate in the body as excess weight.

We don’t target calorie reduction because that typically leads to the “yo-yo effect,” in which people return to their previous eating patterns (which almost all of them do) and gain back the weight they lost and more! And the underlying imbalances are still there.

Instead, we focus on correcting the primary imbalance that is causing the problem. The first step to achieving a balanced weight is to follow the Healing Meal Plan for All Imbalances for one week, along with the detoxifying tea.

Add to this the specific guidelines for your type of weight gain and you have a good beginning programme to help you lose weight permanently and safely.

Healing Meal Plans For All Imbalances

General recommendations:

    1. Eat whenever you’re hungry and when your not hungry avoid eating. Remember: Hunger is simply a signal from your body’s intelligence that it wishes to eat and is prepared for the proper metabolism of your food. If hunger is not present, nutrition is not required at that time, and the body is not prepared for metabolising any food you put in. There is an Ayurvedic saying – “It is better to waste food on the plate than to waste food in the body.” Partially digested food (ama) sits in the stomach and intestine and ferments creating toxins.
    1. Sip your de-tox tea every 30 – 60 minutes through out the day up until 6pm. Boil 1.5 – 2 litres of water for 10 minutes and place in a thermos flask to keep warm, along with ¼ tsp of cumin seeds, ¼ tsp of coriander seeds, ¼ tsp of fennel seeds and 1/8th tsp of Cardamon black seeds or 3 whole green pods. Use organic seeds where possible. Make fresh each morning.

Breakfast

Do not skip breakfast. Even if you are not hungry, at least have a stewed or baked apple or pear with raisins to start your day. This provides easily digestible nutrition and helps increase your appetite for lunch.

If you are hungry, also have a bowl of cooked whole-grain cereal. If you have a strong appetite and tend to get hungry well before lunchtime, make your cereal with milk or soy milk and add ground nuts for extra protein.

Lunch

Lunch should be your main meal of the day. It’s the only meal where you may eat any non-vegetarian foods (such as meat, poultry, fish, or seafood) and curdled foods such as cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt.

Include whole grains, freshly cooked vegetables, and a concentrated source of protein (lentils, chickpeas, or other legume; tofu or other soy; fresh cheese; nuts/seeds: non-vegetarian entree; etc.). Your lunch should consist mainly of cooked foods, though you may have a small amount of salad on the side if you wish.

Afternoon Snack

Have fresh fruit, dried fruits, nuts, unleavened crackers, boiled warm milk or soy milk, or rye crackers or rice cakes.

Dinner

Favor light, easy-to-digest foods such as cooked grains, cooked vegetables, and soups, including legume soups such as lentils. Avoid non-vegetarian foods (such as poultry, meat, fish) and cheese at the evening meal.

Bedtime Snack

If hungry: Try warm milk or soy milk boiled with a pinch of cinnamon, car¬damom, or ginger, or hot cereal made with plenty of water.

Now identify the key supplementary guidelines for your type of weight gain:

Vata Weight Gain

  • Lifestyle - Staying rested is the key for you. Establish a regular routine, including a regular early bedtime, getting up time and mealtimes.
  • Diet Eat mainly warm, cooked, wholesome foods at each meal. Reserve salads and raw vegetables for side dishes. Carefully avoid cold drinks, iced deserts and other cold foods.

Pitta Weight Gain

  • Lifestyle - Chill out your nervous system by avoiding TV, computer and telephone after 9pm. Turn your light out by 10 pm for a cooler, more restful night.
  • Diet Never skip or delay your meals. Eat lunch by 12.30 pm and dinner by 7 pm. Avoid processed foods, junk foods, cheese, yogurt, red meat, hot spices, alcohol, caffeine, vinegar, sugary desserts and fried foods. Eat organic, wholesome foods with lots of fresh vegetables and sweet, juicy fruits. Drink plenty of fresh, pure water.

Kapha Weight Gain

  • Lifestyle - Arise early every morning by 6 am and go for a brisk walk, jog or run.
  • Diet Indulge your sensual, nourishing kapha nature with delicious home-cooked meals. Eat plenty of legumes, whole grains like barley, and cooked vegetables. Spice generously with thyme, basil, mint, oregano, cumin, turmeric, fresh ginger and black pepper. Avoid red meat, dairy, cold drinks and sugar.

Your body knows how to restore a balanced weight for you. If you will learn to listen to its quiet inner guidance through its messages of hunger and satisfaction, you can achieve a healthy weight, with increased stamina, a more efficiently functioning body, and youthful appearance. Why not give it a go and if you would like some personal help then just get in touch.

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