One more study tells the world that yoga can help with weight loss and control. The latest study was conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.
15,500 healthy middle-aged men and women participated in the study. This is a group that generally has a hard time losing weight, as the number of calories required decreases and the energy levels required to burn calories are not what they used to be.
Unfortunately, this is a fact that I have become painfully aware of over the past few years, and cutting back on food was my last unwanted option. Although I cross-train almost daily, it took me a year to lose 16 pounds of extra weight.
Going back to the study: yoga practice was defined as practicing at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years. Comparatively speaking, this is really “minimal”, and many Yoga teachers used to say that this amount of Yoga will be of no use.
How the times change; Yoga has kept people in shape for approximately 5,000 years, and its many health benefits remain a mystery that deserves further study.
Alan R. Kristal, Dr. PH, lead author of the study in the Division of Public Health Sciences at the Hutchinson Center, said: “Men and women who were normal weight at 45 and practicing yoga regularly gained about three pounds less during that 10-year period than those who did not practice Yoga. “
Until all the studies are done, it would be safe to say that adding yoga practice to your weekly routine and eating smart will contribute to weight management or weight loss.
When looking for a yoga teacher, look for one who is compassionate, but encourages you to practice more often. The results you will get from regular practice, three to four Yoga classes per week, will be extraordinary, especially if you practice Yoga for years.
Yoga has a very low impact, compared to many aerobic exercise routines, and can be practiced for increased longevity. Your knees, spine, hips and shoulders will thank you for the condition in which Yoga will keep them. Many of the “standard” forms of exercise today do not have the same “bragging rights” as Yoga.
When it comes to eating, take the time to identify hunger and cravings. You will notice that they are not the same. Being a lover of chocolate, it is much better to have a piece of chocolate, once in a while, than to buy a dozen of chocolate donuts. It’s not about justifying or surrendering to chocolate, but about eating it in moderation, and not every day.
Based on what I’ve said so far, it’s all about identification, control, and moderation. We have to end “mindless eating” habits.
Researchers recently found that women who received 1200 mg. Supplementing calcium on a daily basis reduced the number of premenstrual food cravings by 54%.
On another note: when you are anxious, your body produces more of the hormone cortisol, which can increase the volume of carbohydrates you eat. Carbohydrates temporarily increase our serotonin levels, making us feel relaxed in the short term.
Learn the art of substituting foods for more nutritious variations. I cover this, in detail, in my e-book, “14 Days to Change Your Life,” due out in August 2005.
Being in the best possible shape is also related to positive thinking. So, use sources of self-improvement to stay on the right path to optimal health.
