Yogic Tips for Weight Loss

The typical yogi one may imagine has a small, thin figure and appears to live on practically nothing. Although yogis can be all shapes and sizes, like the large laughing Buddha, ancient yogic traditions include practices regarding food to maintain the body in a state of health, well-being and balance. While they seem simple, over time these practices will help regulate food intake and ensure proper digestion and nourishment of the body.

Yogi tip #1: Fast for 12 hours a day. This is not really a large fast, but just making sure that there are 12 hours between your last meal at night and your first meal in the morning. For example, if you eat dinner at 9pm then don’t begin eating until after 9am the next morning. This time allows your body to digest the food from the previous day and pass it through the system. If you are hungry in the morning, you body may need nutrients and energy. But if you are not hungry, feel free to wait until late morning or even noon before taking in food.

Yogi tip #2: Eat only when hungry. Listen to your stomach and check in with your body. Try to not to eat out of boredom or emotion, and don’t worry; you can always eat a little later if you don’t eat immediately.

Yogi tip #3: Fill your stomach with 1/3 solid, 1/3 liquid, and leave 1/3 of space for digestion. Keep this in mind to prevent overeating and to give the body time and space to properly digest what is taken in.