Ayurveda for Weight Loss

Ayurveda for Weight Loss

As most of you know (all six of you) I am actively trying to lose weight.  I am currently using the Le-Vel Thrive Weight loss System and...I have lost weight (next week I will do a full update).  While the program is good (the vitamins they give you are phenomenal)  and I have seen results...I'm just going to say it...I LIKE FOOD! (and I miss it)  I am not hungry on this program by any means and as far as replacement shakes go...it is pretty good.

 Yet, I like food!  There is no way around this fact!  I like Thai, Indian, Ethiopian, Italian, Greek, West African, Jamaican, American, whatever.  Food for me is a sensual pleasure...one of the great joys in life.  While I am not an emotional eater nor do I over eat...the very act of cooking and then sitting down for a  meal is like an ecstatic ritual for me.  The aroma of garlic and onion sauteeing in olive oil...the cool, crisp, crunch when breaking up romaine...the sweet smell of a good tomato sauce...all of this fills me with indescribable pleasure; and when the flavors and aromas meld into one great dish...well that is as close to heaven as one can get in the kitchen.  And to be frank, a shake ain't gonna cut it.

So imagine my joy when I came across Ayurveda for Weight Loss on Gaiam TV (on HULU Plus). If you are unfamiliar with Gaiam:

"Founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1988, Gaiam is a provider of information, goods and services to customers who value the environment, a sustainable economy, healthy lifestyles, alternative healthcare and personal development. 

Gaiam (pronounced "guy-um"), is a fusion of the words "Gaia" and "I am" Gaia, mother Earth, was honored on the Isle of Crete in ancient Greece 5,000 years ago by the Minoan civilization. This civilization valued education, art, science, recreation, and the environment and believed that the Earth was directly connected to its existence and daily life. The concept of Gaia stems from the ancient philosophy that the Earth is a living entity.

At Gaiam, we believe that all of the Earth's living matter, air, oceans and land form an interconnected system that can be seen as a single entity. The word Gaiam represents planetary awareness, preservation and support of the interconnectivity of all living things. By nurturing, protecting and respecting our planet, its natural resources and its inhabitants, we enrich our own lives and those of future generations."

Yes, Gaiam is a company for yoga mats, yoga, incense, organic, natural living...and they are pretty damn good at it.

If you are unfamiliar with Ayurveda, here is an explanation from the Chopra Center (you have to love Deepak!):

"Thousands of years before modern medicine provided scientific evidence for the mind-body connection, the sages of India developed Ayurveda, which continues to be one of the world’s most sophisticated and powerful mind-body health systems. More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge). It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vibrant and healthy while realizing their full human potential.

The two main guiding principles of Ayurveda are 1.) the mind and the body are inextricably connected, and 2.) nothing has more power to heal and transform the body than the mind.  Freedom from illness depends upon expanding our own awareness, bringing it into balance, and then extending that balance to the body. "

Brilliant! 

In Ayurveda for Weight Loss, John Douillard discusses how to lose weight naturally using Ayurveda and it's pretty simple.  No starving or taking something (usually deliciously awesome) out of your diet (well not really).  I swear, I could even stick to this method. It's like weight loss for dummies.

 (**Disclaimer, it's been about a week since I've watched the video and my 7 year old son is currently hogging up the Wii AND Hulu watching Sanjay and Craig *sigh*...so I do not remember every little piece of advice, but I remember the gist...bare with me**)

1) Basically, you should eat 3 square meals a day without snacking.  I know the "new" diet fad is to eat 5 small meals a day, however, John Douillard made a very good point about how that way of eating is not very helpful when trying to lose weight.  He said, while it will keep your metabolism up, you will merely be burning off that food instead of the stored fat (that most of us want to lose!) Good point, right?

2) Lunch should be your biggest meal of the day, while breakfast is your second largest and dinner should be your smallest.  This should be self explanatory, but basically, you are giving your body time between meals to burn off calories and you aren't loading food on your stomach while you sleep.

3) Eat what is in season.  As Americans we are spoiled, we can access whatever we want, whenever we want at our local grocery store.  This is not necessarily a good thing.  If we follow the natural cycle of nature, the food that is available to us during various seasons will help keep our bodies in balance and give us the nutrition we need.  So start making the farmers market a part of your shopping routine.

4) The last principle (at least the last one I remember) is when you eat, really sit down and eat!  Meaning, no distractions, no television, and do not rush through your meal; just relax and savor every last bite.  (Now this I will have no problem with!)

Sounds relatively easy right?  After I am done with my Le-Vel Thrive Challenge, I am definitely going to use this Ayurvedic system to maintain my new sexy! (smile)

For more information, to view the video, and to get your holistic, organic, natural, peaceful, yoga living on (and a glance at the sexiest yoga instructor I have ever seen) be sure to check out Gaiam here!  Act soon because they are having a HUGE 75% off sale!

PS: If you're looking for an easy introduction to Ayurveda, check out Ayurvedic Beauty Care by Melanie Sachs!