With the rise of fast food and a fast-paced lifestyle came a silent killer that occasionally makes its way into the headlines—obesity. The world is now buzzing about it. People are more informed than ever, and no stone has been left unturned in the discussion. The one universal question that comes up when we try to reason it out is choosing the right path... or getting that poster-perfect body for summer.
You can learn more about proper nutrition at the free talk “Ayurveda – The Path to Health and Balance” with Ayurvedic doctor Dr. Abhishek Mishra from India.
There are many ways to lose weight: one can join weight loss programs, cardio sessions, or all-round circuit workouts—but the core components are dedication, approach, commitment, and a disciplined lifestyle. Today, we’ll explore the 5 best-kept secrets yoga has to offer for weight loss. When applied consistently to your lifestyle, these tips can help you tone your body and shed weight.
Yoga can be considered a complete package for weight loss, as it’s not just about the poses—it also incorporates dietary habits and promotes healthy living for the long term. Here are the tips:
1. The world is not enough
There’s a whole new world waiting beyond the yoga studio. Treat your yoga practice as a motivational tool or a reward. The real test lies in your everyday choices and what you eat. This mindset is essential. Stick to your diet plan and try reducing carb intake after sunset. A light stomach helps you wake up fresh, and since your last meal didn’t include carbohydrates, the process of converting them into fat is avoided while the body is at rest or asleep.
2. Don’t lose hope—lose weight
Remember, those layers of belly fat were built up over the years. We often lose hope and fall off the track. The most important thing is to trust in the practice and keep going. Yoga aids in weight loss gradually, not instantly. We’re conditioned to expect quick results these days, but we tend to forget there’s no substitute for sweating it out. Partner with a friend who will motivate you to stay on track and do the same for them. This will boost your yoga practice and make it more enjoyable.
3. Think of your body as your bank account
The calories you consume in a day versus the calories you burn give you your daily balance. Try bridging this gap by reducing your intake and increasing the number of calories you burn. You still need a minimum calorie intake per day to survive, so extremely strict diets are not recommended.
Most diets are short-term fads, and people tend to regain weight afterward. Therefore, burning a balanced number of calories is the ideal approach. Eating on time reduces fake hunger signals. Also, breakfast should be like a king’s, lunch like a queen’s, and dinner like a pauper’s. We tend to reverse this proverb, which increases the number of unused calories at the end of the day.
4. Surprise your body
Practice different yoga poses. For instance, if you’ve been doing Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) for your core, switch it up with Child’s Pose (Balasana). Targeting the same muscles from different angles ensures inch loss. While inch loss isn’t a replacement for weight loss, it helps you get closer to the image you desire. Learn new yoga postures that target the same muscle groups. Yoga offers plenty of variation to help you diversify your practice.
5. Beat the boredom
Go that extra mile. We often get bored with our yoga routine. We think it’s not working or feel like we need a break. Start your sessions with more intensity and extend the duration. This helps break the mental pattern or plateau. Use your weekends to add a cardio workout before your yoga session. Once your body has adjusted to your yoga practice, weight loss might plateau. These longer sessions can help break that barrier.
These secrets are really well-known facts, but we tend to train our minds the way we like and ignore them, thinking we know what’s best for our bodies. Listening to your body is essential—overexertion or extreme dieting isn’t the answer. A balanced mind, body, and approach will bring you the best results.
