Holistic approaches to weight loss are often simple and always effective. Tune out the messages of magic pills and potions and try out the suggestions here--then post your progress. Keep in mind that a holistic practitioner can help you meet the more specific needs of your body.
* Visualization. If you cannot visualize yourself at your ideal weight, you are undermining your weight loss efforts. Spend some pleasant moments every day visualizing yourself at your ideal weight, perhaps in a favorite outfit, or doing something new or fun. An effective time to visualize your new self is during exercise. Do not stress it--just hold the image for 3-5 minutes and then let it go.
* Cool Water. Drink 8 glasses of water a day.
* Hot Water. Drink several cups of hot water every day--at home or at the office. This is an Ayurvedic technique that cleanses your lymphatic system and hastens fat loss. Do not put anything in the water, even lemon, as you want clean water molecules flushing your system. Sipping hot water also helps you combat cravings and snack attacks.
* Greens. Eat greens, greens, and more greens--at the very least with every meal. And we mean real greens. Have some romaine lettuce once in a while, but eat spinach, dandelion greens, kale, watercress, and bok choy regularly. Find greens recipes online, or buy a cookbook. You can also email us and we’ll send you some recipes and titles. Greens are the most missing ingredient in all American meals and we are suffering for it. You simply cannot consider yourself nourished if you don't regularly absorb the vitamins and phytochemicals in greens--and when you are malnourished, you have cravings. Greens are also full of fiber and flush the system of fat and toxins—while making you feel full. Lastly, they increase your energy and this burns calories. Try greens with garlic and a splash of oil, with lemon, in sauces, or in smoothies. All traditional menus included lots of greens—testament to this healing and slimming food.
* Exercise in the AM or PM for 30-60 minutes a day. Ayurvedic principles dating back thousands of years teach us that our bodies are primed for exercise primarily in the morning and secondarily in the late afternoon. Exercising in the morning, before breakfast, burns fat extremely well, as you fuel your exercise from fat stores and not from a meal. Exercising in the late afternoon after digesting lunch does the same thing. Exercising before lunch is less effective, as this is the time of day your body most needs relaxation and food.
* Eat at mid-day. Eat your big meal of the day between 10AM and 2PM. If you do some research, you’ll learn that every culture in the world, including early Americans, ate the big meal in the middle of the day. According to Ayurvedic principles, the body is in a fiery, burning mode during these hours and will quickly assimilate nutrients and burn off excess calories. The best regimen is eating a light breakfast, a huge, healthy lunch, and a light dinner of salad and/or soup. Eating a big mid-day meal takes commitment if you work outside of the house, as you will either have to take a large lunch to work or find near-by restaurants that offer healthy options. It’s worth it.
* Eat only whole foods. We are animals, and animals do best on whole, unprocessed foods. All animals gain weight and get sick when they ingest processed food over and over.
* If you do meat, fish, and dairy, eat small amounts and make sure it is high-quality and organic. A serving size of meat is the size of your fist.
* Beans, Nuts, and Seeds. Each contains healthy fat that doesn't make you fat while providing protein, fiber, and healthy phytochemicals.
* Replace sugar. Try some of the wonderful sugar alternatives out there—agave nectar, stevia, and a moderate amount of high-quality honey.
* No juice. Juice is a processed food that has been stripped of fiber and nutrients, and jolts your body with sugar. Even natural sugars can interfere with your weight loss. Sip fruity teas instead.
* Snack on vegetables. You’ve heard it before. It works.
* Set aside a budget. Accept that you may spend more for good food and quality vegetables. Cut back on expenses in other areas of your life like coffees, alcohol, trendy weight loss programs, clothing you don’t need—and realize that your investment in healthy weight loss and renewed health will pay for itself over and over, for years to come. Make smart choices and believe in your future. You can be your best self—healthfully and holistically.
Kristin
Holistic Wellness - Your Virtual Wellness Center