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If you have ever had a weight management problem, you will relate to the pain of seeing a static number on your weighing scale first thing in the morning. That is the time when out of desperation you try to jump start your weight loss with crash diets.
These are really Yo Yo diets that are detrimental to your overall well-being.
It is depressing to try losing weight with zilch results.
Especially when You’ve
- done the sensible eating,
- gone down the starvation route,
- consumed every book on the subject,
- going to the gym so frequently that when you miss a day, the folks at the gym get worried and call to check,
- had your medical checkup and no inherent reasons have been determined for the inability to lose weight and
- nobody wants to go out with you for a meal or even a coffee because you have become a walking calorie counting machine.
While I endorse sensible eating and exercising according to your body type and getting medical checkups to rule out thyroid and sugar problems, there is one technique worth trying before you abandon ship.
Your metabolism may be the culprit.
I faced this challenge way back in 2002. Everything I tried failed thanks to a sluggish metabolism courtesy my sedentary corporate lifestyle. Even walking 4 dogs one at a time could not mobilize my metabolism.
It relates to the Ayurvedic concepts of Ojas and Ama.
Imperfections in digestion are always present in people who have chronic weight problems.
According to Ayurveda, improper digestion leads to the build up of a product called Ama in our system. It is described as a sticky white substance that clogs the body channels and impedes normal body flow of blood, lymph and energy. This leads to lethargy, poor immunity, fatigue and fluctuations of mood.
On the other hand, the presence of Ojas helps to facilitate digestion and maintain vitality in the body. The higher the levels of Ojas, the better for us – we have higher energy levels, strength, stamina and a general sense of well-being.
1 Simple No Brainer Ayurveda Weight Loss Technique
This is a technique that I learned years ago. I stand by since it has not only worked for me but for others is simply sipping hot water at frequent intervals during the day.
The water has to be very hot and a few sips at a time will help. Try to build it into a routine. For example, if you take tea or coffee at particular times of the day, then just replace it with the hot water.
Remember, it is not important how much hot water you drink but how often you drink it.
You might find yourself urinating more frequently but this levels out after a few weeks.
Apart from aiding with digestion and helping with weight reduction, I have noticed some other benefits as well.
It assists in reducing water retention and the belly starts to flatten out. Energy levels rise and the skin gets a healthy glow. It works wonders as a stress resilience builder.
Another interesting benefit I noticed was when a friend of mine was told that his cholesterol level was dangerously high. This was creating a problem for his heart.
My friend was averse to taking medication. I suggested he eat more greens and along with the diet changes and required exercise routine, try the hot water to humor me.
The happy ending was that the cholesterol came under control within 2 months.
While it would have been the holistic approach, he affirmed that the hot water did the trick since he kept slipping off the diet and exercise programme.
So, just out of curiosity, why not try it out for a week, then come back and post your comments on your experience on my blog?
Stress too can affect our metabolism and hinder our weight loss initiatives.
Take Ayurveda techniques a step further with my complete resource on Chakra balancing exercises and 1 Minute Stress Management tools. All you have to do is click the image and get started on managing stress!
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Ok, I usually am brave enough to try most things at least once, so this will be my new adventure this week. With lemon, because I can.:-) I love the way you write!
Thank you for the compliment, Liz. I look forward to reading about the results of your new adventure this week. 🙂
Hi Vatsala,
It does sound like a very interesting technique 🙂 I may just have to give it a try! Simple is always a good thing 🙂
Hi Joan,
I didn’t believe it until I tried it. In fact one of my friends tried it just before her wedding date because she was feeling bloated and it worked for her too. Simplicity is the key to a happier life. 🙂
Wow, that’s very interesting. It sounds very simple yet very effective! I was grown up in Japan and we had hot water quite often throughout the day. I sometimes drink cold water so fast, as a result I get full. However, if I drink hot water, I can’t drink fast, so it’s a very effective way to take water, I believe. Thank you for the great reminder, Vatsala!
You are most welcome, Kaz. Drinking cold water also helps with weight loss because the body has to use more calories but the warm water helps with metabolism and digestion. I had read somewhere many years ago that the Chinese drink Jasmine tea and warm water with their meals to enable dissolving fat in the food. It makes sense and I have warm water served in the more authentic restaurants.
Hi Vatsala, this does sound interesting. I have a friend who practices Auyerveda though I haven’t heard of this technique from her as she customizes her program for the body types. However, I may try it – it’s warm water, maybe will also help me to break the coffee addiction and getting back to basics always helps. I drink water non-stop anyway; so to heat it up with some lemon will be something small I will try. What I love about this tip is that it can’t hurt anything or anyone; it will either help or will keep things the same – all in staying hydrated! Thank you for the tip!
Hi Tamara, this technique will work with any body type but especially for those of us with a Pita constitution under Ayurveda. I’ve used it at times when I feel I am drinking too much coffee and it gets me back on track. The only advice I will give is not to try this tip if you are planning to be out during the day with no access to a good WC because the body will release extra stored water from your system. 🙂
Hi Vatsala,
This does sound like a very interesting technique. I have also heard about the benefits of drinking hot water with lemon in the morning. Simplifying things sounds like a great idea. I will have to give it a try!
I think you will love this technique, Robin. Especially during the winter!
Interesting technique Vatsala and one I may try. I have heard of the hot water with lemon juice trick when you first get out of be in the morning, but this sounds much better in the long run. Thanks for the information. Cheers, Ian
Give it a shot, Ian. It is a better one in the long run. The hot water and lemon version first thing in the morning facilitates healthy bowel movement which, according to Ayurveda is essential for our well-being as most diseases start from the stomach not being able to absorb nutrients and inefficiency in eliminating toxins.
I’ve heard a lot about hot water and lemon recently, as Beverley mentioned above. Sometimes the simplest of changes can make the greatest difference in our health (that doesn’t it’s easy, of course). I’ll give it a go!!
Hurrah, Deb! Sometimes the solutions are very simple. As I mentioned in my response to Ian, hot water and lemon are good too but this strategy can be used through out the day.
I am absolutely ready to try this. Trial and error will determine how warm I can handle the water. My office is upstairs so it will mean many trips up & down to keep the water warm. Added movement forces me out of my sedentary life style.
Perfect timing especially since I bought tons of greens & vegetables for the week.
You are going to have a lot of success, Roslyn. Warm water, mobility ever so often and a green veggie diet. All hallmarks of being unstoppable!
Very interesting. My father is having some digestive issues right now. I think I’ll suggest he try it for a week and see if helps. Thanks for sharing this.
It will help provide relief to your father, Heather. Just remember, it isn’t how much warm water you drink but the number of times that water is sipped during the day.
Sometimes the simplest of things, can lead to the biggest results. This is a great technique to help flush and balance your system, Vatsala. Here in North America many people have thrown their blood sugar levels into constant roller coaster spikes and dips, and this is something so important to consider also. Without balanced blood sugar levels, it is hard to keep the cravings at bay. Drinking hot water (I’ve heard with real lemon in it) makes a lot of sense. It is something worth trying along with of course, choosing more healthy foods and staying away from the usual suspects. Sugars…which are so prevalent in our modern day world. These sugars show up in so many packaged and processed foods and this highlights the need to make conscious choices for our overall health and wellbeing.
Simplifying things always helps Beverley. Drinking hot water with lemon also helps to clear the digestive tracks and is a healthy option for overall good health. Blood sugar is a modern lifestyle problem and is often related to stress as well. Better to check the labels on packaged and processed food and then take an informed decision if we really want to eat it or substitute it with a natural home made food.