The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Weight Loss

5 Easy Steps to A Healthier Weight

Although different people have weight problems for different reason, these 5 tips address fundamental lifestyle habits that affect virtually everyone. The really good news is that these 5 powerful tips are easy to implement and can bring about great changes in your life and health once in place.

Point 1. Eat a light evening meal with easy-to-digest foods.

Everyone dealing with weight loss issues needs to know that it is virtually impossible to make serious progress if you continue to eat large evening meals with heavy foods!

I cannot emphasize this point too much. Ayurveda describes that digestion is less strong in the evening, plus lying down to sleep a few hours later further slows down digestion, metabolism and circulation. The body simply cannot assimilate large evening meals properly. The result is that much of the food is digested poorly and eventually creates toxins, fat and excess weight. For most people using the approaches of eating less during the day, herbs, pills, special powders and drinks, and even exercise cannot overcome this most serious of all weight loss mistakes.

Especially avoid in the evening: cheese, yogurt, rich desserts, red meat, leftovers of any kind, cold foods, processed foods

Avoid or reduce in evening meals: fowl, fish, desserts

Evening meals should be vegetarian, hot, light and liquidy. If you are significantly overweight the foundation of the evening meal should be 1) non-cream soups, 2) grains cooked in water (for example rice, quinoa, cous cous, barley), and 3) vegetables either steamed, roasted or sauteed with small amounts of extra virgin olive oil. If you must have dessert, I recommend cooked fruit desserts made with only small amounts of organic sugar.

2. Eat the largest meal of the day at lunch with a wide variety of warm, cooked food.

Lunch is the time our bodies can best digest and properly assimilate larger quantities of food due to the fact that digestion is strongest at noon and we have many active hours to metabolize the food before we sleep. Lunch is the most important meal of the day and the meal we most need to plan and prepare for.

Lunch should be warm, cooked foods with a wide variety of tastes and dishes. Warm food is essential as it can be more easily digested and assimilated. Cold foods suppress digestion (remember your chemistry- cold temperature suppresses chemical reaction, and digestion is chemistry!) The result of regular meals of cold foods is indigestion, the accumulation of ama (undigested molecules that clog the channels,) and weight gain.

Having a wide variety of foods is essential for nutrition and to prevent the body from developing food cravings-the downfall of many a well-meaning diet plan. Food cravings often occur because of imbalanced diets that included only a few food types. Diets restricted to mostly carbohydrates or protein or fat eventually lead to undernourished tissues that rightfully send hunger messages to our brain. Even though we have just finished eating a large quantity of food, parts of our body are still truly malnourished and hungry. Unfortunately if we don’t realize this when the hunger signals come we may reach for even more carbohydrate rich and dense foods like desserts when actually we need green vegetables and legume soups.

A good, balanced lunch also helps us feel less hungry in the evening, making it easier to stick to that all-important light evening meal.

3. Drink hot water frequently throughout the day

By sipping hot water throughout the day you help cleanse the digestive tract and entire body of blockages and impurities. Hot water drinking improves digestion and assimilation of food and helps prevent the body from becoming toxic and clogged. It also is a great aid in reducing food cravings between meals. I have known people who lost over 50 pounds by following only this single recommendation.

Most people can accomplish the hot water recommendation by getting a good thermos and having a cup sitting on a small cup-sized hot plate. You can pour your hot water in the cup, put it on the warmer and sip it throughout the day as you work.

The most purifying and cleansing water is water that has been boiled for about ten minutes. Boiling water for ten minutes reduces its heaviness (you will usually see a fine powder at the bottom of the pan that consists of precipitated materials from the water) and energizes the water. Drinking water from your hot water dispenser at work is better than not drinking any at all, but is not as effective as boiled water.

4. Avoid leftovers

Maharishi Ayurveda holds that putting food back in the refrigerator after it has been cooked seriously deteriorates the quality of the foods and their digestibility. Even if you heat it up after you take it out of the refrigerator, it has lost its life giving freshness.

We get more than molecules from food. We also get freshness, life force (prana) and nature’s intelligence from our foods. Physics tells us there is a classical world of molecules but also a quantum mechanical world of vibration. The vibration of the deeper fields which comprise nature’s life-force and intelligence get destroyed by cooling cooked food. As a result leftovers easily lead to improperly digested waste products called “ama” that accumulate in the body causing toxins, blockages, excessive weight gain and lead to many diseases.

The converse principle sums up the essence of Ayurvedic food guidelines.

“Eat fresh food, freshly prepared”

Because of the activity of our lives, and logistics of shopping and cooking, this simple statement can be difficult to achieve but every step in this direction will help us with weight management and overall good health.

A convenient way to get a home-cooked, nearly fresh meal of pure, wholesome ingredients for lunch each day, is to cook barley and lentils (a good fat-busting combination) overnight in a crock pot. In the morning, add chopped vegetables and some spices sautéed in olive oil (try cumin, black pepper, fresh ginger root, coriander and turmeric.) Put in a wide-mouth thermos and bring for lunch. Add some rye crackers (another fat busting grain according to Ayurveda,) and fresh fruit for a well-balanced, pure and nutritious lunch.

5. Get Moving!

I saw a headline in a health paper some time ago that made a good point “Stop Dieting and Start Moving”

Exercise is an antidote for almost everything that ails us. It improves digestion, metabolism, elimination, complexion, body tone and strength, bone density, and helps us normalize weight. It is also emotionally positive as it can be enjoyable, increase self-worth and bring us greater energy, freshness and success throughout the day.

At least take time every day to get out and walk. Evaluate your schedule and take walks whenever you can squeeze them in. Be vigilant to take opportunities to walk. It is especially good to walk after meals and especially healthy to take a walk after the evening meal.

Additional tips:

1. Go to bed by 10:00 PM. Metabolism of waste products takes place after 10 PM and is reduced by being awake and active, or eating the proverbial “midnight snack,” at this time

2. Add digestive enhancing, fat-busting spices to your meals like fresh ginger, cumin, black pepper, turmeric and fenugreek.

3. Keep GOOD snacks around to prevent you eating bad snacks. Examples of good snacks are fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts, fresh squeezed vegetable juices and whole grain crackers.

4. Practice meditation and yoga daily to keep mind and body balanced reduce the mental cravings for food. (Based on hundreds of scientific studies documenting its health benefits, I recommend the TM technique for my patients)

5. Take a walk in the morning. Exercise of some type outdoors in the morning sun has a powerful positive influence on mind, emotions and energy throughout the day.

6. Take Panchakarma treatments twice a year. Maharishi Ayurveda recommends panchakarma (the massage, heat treatments and internal cleansing therapies of Ayurveda) be done twice a year to prevent impurities from accumulating and eliminating their buildup in bodily tissues. (A recent study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine documented the reduction by 50% of the cancer causing chemical PCB in the blood after five days of Maharishi Rejuvenation Treatment, a specific program of panchakarma.)

7. Ingest mainly organic extra virgin olive oil. Organic ghee is also acceptable in small quantities (1-2 tsp. per day)or not at all if you are overweight and/or have high cholesterol. Avoid any non-organic vegetable oils especially corn and soy oil. Oils are perhaps the most important food group to get right, as impure oils can contribute to so many diseases if not used properly

Summary

Health is won or lost in how we live day-to-day life. I encourage everyone with weight management issues to take initiative and get on an upward spiral of healthy activity. Your quick reward will be greater freshness, happiness and a lighter, healthier body.

About The Author

Nancy Lonsdorf M.D. received her M.D. from Johns Hopkins and did her postgraduate training at Stanford. She has studied Ayurveda with some of the world's most renowned Ayurvedic physicians in India, Europe and the U.S. Dr. Lonsdorf has 18 years of clinical experience with Ayurveda and is currently the Medical Director of The Raj Ayurveda Health Center in Vedic City Iowa.

Dr. Lonsdorf has authored two books on Ayurveda and women's health:

1. A Woman's Best Medicine (Penguin/Putnam 1995 ; ISBN 0-87477-785-2) describing the Ayurvedic approach to the major issues in women's health

2. The Ageless Woman: Health and Beauty after Forty with Maharishi Ayurveda (MCD Century Publications 2004 ISBN#: 0-9721233-5-0) on anti-aging recommendations and longevity for women.

Doctor Lonsdorf's contact information is:

Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.
1734 Jasmine Avenue
Vedic City, IA 52556
641-472-8246

web site url: http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com/

e-mail address: info@ayurveda-ayurvedic.com

Dr. Lonsdorf photo for web at: http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com/images/ayurveda%20physician.jpg

The G.I. Diet : The Easy, Healthy Way to Permanent Weight Loss

The G.I. Diet : The Easy, Healthy Way to Permanent Weight Loss Why was this a #1 bestseller in Canada in 2002? Because it is an easy-to-follow, easy-to-stick-to, truly healthy approach to eating that is based on the Glycemic Index, the original science behind The Zone Diet, but eliminates that diet's complexity and tendency to leave dieters wanting more. If you can understand a traffic light, you can understand this diet--and lose weight permanently without feeling hungry, counting calories, or jeopardizing your health. If a food is in the green column, eat it. If it's in the red column, avoid it. And if it's in the yellow column, proceed with caution. Take bread, for example. White bread, with its high G.I. number, is red-because it's so highly processed the body digests it quickly, resulting in a spike in blood sugar, a release of insulin, potential storage as fat, and a quick return of the hungry feeling. Low-G.I. 100% stone-ground whole-wheat bread is green-the body takes a while to digest it, with no spike in blood sugar and a much longer feeling of satiety. Green, yellow, red: It's all here, with a full explanation of how the diet works, plus ratings for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, eating out or eating in. Includes some recipes, snack ideas, a shopping list, and tips on dining out.
Customer Review: It just makes sense
I've been somewhat frustrated as of these past couple years as I've been having trouble trying to lose fat in the hip/waist area. Reason being that I exercise 5x/week (at least 30 minutes of cardio + weights) and have been pretty good about my what I eat. I'm not an overweight person, but do have problems in the areas as written above.

So I gave this diet a shot and got results much sooner that I had thought (i.e. w/in the week). My waist is much flatter and pants are starting to fit like they used to. Almost too good in that I'm starting to lose weight in areas that I don't want (i.e. legs).

In addition to cutting the fat, this diet emphasizes the problem w/ simple sugars and processed, refined foods/grains. These are easy to digest and are dumped into the bloodstream quickly. As a consequence, the body is saturated w/ more sugar than it needs and will place it into storage for later use (i.e. fat cells). Insulin is pretty good about transporting this sugar spike and you will be left hungry shortly --> leading to snacking, overeating.

This diet is a timed-release diet, if you will. D/t the fiber content of the green light foods, sugar is released at a gradual rate into the bloodstream. This eliminates any cravings for snacks as there's a constant supply of energy/food content in the body for a longer period of time as opposed to simple sugars.

This diet is almost perfect. The pro's: it's works! It's overall a better way to take care of yourself. It cuts down on cholesterol and likely prevents type II diabetes. Most important, it's a complete diet: I really like how this diet doesn't cut out on nutrients that the body has to have (i.e. Atkins diet).

The cons: GI diet food can be hard to find when it comes to eating/going out. Following this diet can be hard at times d/t decreased availability. Ex: being of Asian descent, brown rice or whole wheat just doesn't happen when we have family gatherings or eat out. Only options are piling on the extra vegetables if those are even available.
-Not necessarily a con, but a caution. People on this diet will have to keep their water up. This is important in that less water and lots of fiber can cause constipation or at worst obstuction. Water is important to keep fiber rich foods moving along the GI tract.
- Also, it doesn't take too much to make the weight come back. A weekend binge can redeposit the fat almost instantaneously.

But overall, I'm very happy about my results and oh yes, the book itself. Thorough enough, very easy to follow. I highly recommend Dr. Gallop's ideas/way of life!

Customer Review: It works for me
I have only been using the G.I. Diet for 2 1/2 weeks and have lost 23 lbs. This book is the best combination of all the diet ideas out there and really works. Buy it, Read it, Do it.I did like the author's suggestion about reducing caffeine intake. I've been off coffee after my doctor told me it caused me acid indigestion. He recommended a book called "The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote it Deceive us and What We Can Do About It. Highly Recommended..

The Ultimate Weight Solution Cookbook: Recipes for Weight Loss Freedom

The Ultimate Weight Solution Cookbook: Recipes for Weight Loss Freedom

Dr. Phil is on a mission: to help as many Americans as possible lose pounds and never, ever regain them. And it's working: literally millions of people have lost weight steadily and successfully by changing their self-defeating behavior. Dr. Phil's bestselling books The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom and The Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide were the first steps toward accomplishing this vital mission. The Ultimate Weight Solution Cookbook is another essential tool to get results and free yourself from your problems with weight -- forever.

Here are more than 100 fantastic recipes that abound with flavor and are exceptionally nutritious. Your whole family can benefit from a new, healthier way of eating. Enjoy delicious dishes like Banana Cream Pie, Southern Oven-Fried Chicken, Enchiladas with Barbecued Greens, Pot Roast Southern Style, Mocha Fudge Pudding, Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry, Mushroom-Tomato Frittata, and Sweet Potato Pie. You're going to love shedding pounds while still enjoying your favorite foods. That's because great taste is actually one of the secrets to losing weight and keeping it off.

The Ultimate Weight Solution Cookbook also includes Dr. Phil's Rapid Start Plan, providing 14 days of preplanned menus designed to give you a jump-start on losing weight. Each day on the Rapid Start Plan includes one or more of the many great-tasting dishes in this cookbook.

Gaining real control over your weight, as opposed to yo-yo dieting, is in your hands. Dr. Phil shows you how to make changes in your life that are healthy, easy to maintain, and result in a slimmer, fitter you. When it comes to genuine weight control, Dr. Phil says, "You have a decision to make." Using this book is an important way to show that you have made the right decision.

Customer Review: Great Compliment to The Ulimate Weight Solution
If you have not bought the Ultimate Weight Solution . . . you may want to consider reading it and then purchase the cookbook. The Ultimate Weigt Solution helps you get you into the mindset needed to live a healthier lifestyle. The cookbook gives new recipes that keep the array of food choices plentiful. Each week we pull out two new recipes which keeps the mealtime full of a few surprises rather than the same old diet food.
Customer Review: Don't knock it till you've tried it!
I have noticed many people have said stuff like, "I wouldn't even want to try the recipies", and that they are "unconventional". Well, lets face it - the reason you (and I) are fat is that we don't eat healthy foods. If we liked eating all of the vegtables and spices (instead of salt) in this book, then we really wouldn't need it would we?

So I say, if you are serious about eating healthier, give it a try. I have found some of the dishes that sounded the least appealing actually tasted great. The only reason I gave the book a four instead of a five is that I have had to tone down the seasonings and experiment with flavors I am more used to, but other than that most of the recipies are great. I have been using it 3 weeks now and have lost 12lbs.

So, don't knock it till you've tried it.

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