Many people are concerned with the problem of weight and rightly so.  The National Center of Health statistics says that 65% of Americans are overweight and 35% are obese.  A person is considered obese if they are more than 30 pounds overweight.  This overindulgence epidemic is the fastest-growing cause of diseases like high blood pressure, strokes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, reproductive problems, cancer, type-2 diabetes and even death, and it's completely preventable.

Ayurveda always starts with shifting consciousness.  Being overweight represents a general imbalance in the body and mind.  The goal of Ayurveda is not to just help one lose weight, but to help create a lifestyle which involves attuning ones biological rhythms to the rhythms of nature.  Robert Svaboda has a brilliant quote in his book "Prakrui, Your Ayurvedic Constitution", If Ayurveda were a religion, Nature would be her God and overindulgence would be her only sin.  Being overweight is not really a sin, it's just not healthy.

The best place to start is to know your unique body/mind constitution or Prakruti.  According to Ayurveda, everyone is unique in their body/mind type.  Some people seem to gain weight very easily (Kapha type) and other types can eat more and never seem to gain a pound (Vata or Pitta types).  Knowing your body type will help you get in touch with your body's own inner intelligence and find the weight and shape appropriate for you!

The blueprint of a Vata predominant body is skinny, Pitta is medium in most regards, and Kapha types are heavy.  Most of the time we associate overweight conditions to a Kapha type body as this is the dosha composed of the heavy qualities of earth and water.  When Kapha is imbalanced these heavy qualities become exaggerated.  However, Vata and Pitta types can also experience weight problems due to a low digestive fire and ama, digestive impurities.  The skill of an Ayurvedic doctor or experienced practitioner is always recommended for support.

Here is a list of weight-loss tips based on Ayurvedic healing.  The use of technical terms and rationale has been avoided to keep it simple.

Lifestyle

*Create a clear intention to change your habits and lifestyle.

*Cook at home as much as possible.  You will feel more satisfied from your food and the food will be healthier for you.

*Increase the fire element or Agni with breathing practices (Pranayama)

*Learn to meditate to be more sensitive to your body and also to reduce stress.

*Avoid sleeping in the morning and napping in the daytime.

*Consider Panchakarma (a special cleansing program with oil massage and medicated steam treatments)

*Make portions sizes smaller.  You will only loose weight if you reduce the number of calories. (calories = units of energy.

*Avoid eating cold food or drinking cold beverages.

*Do not eat left-over foods even if they have been refrigerated and re-heated.

*Do not drink water immediately before a meal, or immediately after the meal.  It slows digestion.

*Consider fasting one day a week and consume only lemon and honey water to improve metabolism.  Drink one cup of warm water with the juice of 1/2 lemon and one teaspoon honey every 90 minutes to two hours.  Break the fast with kitchari.

Food, Spices and Herbal Tips

*Upon waking, juice a half lemon in warm water to flush the body of impurities that may have accumulated overnight.

*Eat light in the morning

*Avoid all distractions while eating.  Sit down, and eat slowly and consciously.

*Eat only when you are hungry

*Avoid alcohol

*Increase the quantity of fruits and vegetables in your diet.  Choose foods high in nutrients, low in calories.

*Avoid heavy foods like meat, cheese, butter and all processed foods.

*Avoid a lot of carbohydrates like rice and potatoes

*Increase protein-rich foods like legumes, quinoa, beans and lentils

*Increase agni (digestive fire) with spices like ginger, black pepper, cinnamon.

*Increase agni and eliminate ama with herbs and herbal compounds like shilajit, trikatu, (take 300 mg of this twice daily after food with warm water) and triphala guggulu (200 mg twice daily on an empty stomach)

*A tea made from mint or fennel is also beneficial especially for Pitta types

*Sip hot water throughout the day or herbal teas made from equal parts cumin, coriander and fennel.

Specific Food Lists

Fruits

Suggested: Apples, cranberries, lemons, peaches, pears, prunes, raisins, mango, apricots, cherries

Avoid: Avacodo, bananas, papaya, pineapples, plums, coconut, sweet oranges

Vegetables

Suggested: Bitter and pungent vegetables, brusel sprouts, broccoli, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, garlic, leafy greens, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions, parsley, peas, peppers,  radishes, spinach, sprouts

Avoid: Cucumber, potatoes, tomatoes, zuchini

Grains

Suggested: Barley, basmati rice, corn, millet, dry oats, rye

Avoid: Cooked oats, brown or white rice, wheat

Meats:

Suggested: White meat of turkey (hard, soft or poached eggs)

Avoid: Beef, lamb, pork, seafood, fried or scrambled eggs

Nuts:

Avoid nuts except small amounts of sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds

Oils:
Avoid oils except small amounts of almond, corn or sunflower oil

Sweeteners:

None except raw honey

Exercise

*The best time for exercise for weight loss is in the morning.  Aerobic exercise is especially beneficial.

*Walk in the morning sun

*Yoga poses include: Sun salutations, fish pose, camel pose, cobra pose, warrior pose, locus pose, bridge pose.