Don't you wish that losing weight and keeping it off were as simple as the commercials and books make it
seem? Unfortunately, no matter how much money you spend on books, systems, pills, hypnosis, machines,
gadgets, equipment, memberships...there is no simple or quick solution. The fad diets don't work and weight
loss is usually followed by gaining it all back and then some.
Why fads don't work?
All fad diets are about reducing caloric intake whether it be through limiting fruits, vegetables, sugar, carbs,
counting points, etc. Any way you look at it when you go on a diet your body starts to go into shock , panics and
shuts down your metabolism as much as possible to protect your reserves. When you shock your body by trying to
lose weight quickly you will even sacrifice muscle at the expense of letting go of fat. When this happens your body
starts to resist your efforts with intense cravings for specific foods. Why? Because your body thinks it is starving!
When you start eating those foods you crave or even a normal caloric intake you gain back any weight you lost
plus a little more for insurance.
Why yoga is different.
The biggest difference is that yoga builds awareness and acceptance of where you are now. The number of
calories that yoga burns is inconsequential. Yoga fosters a sense of mindfulness so that as you develop this
quality, you learn to be more attuned to your body. You start to realize the sensation of overeating is not pleasant
and stop eating when you're full. You recognize anxiety and stress for what they are instead of trying to mask
them with food.
Why Yoga?
And food
Yoga is not a magic pill, however. When done 3 or more times a week it can be very effective in lowering stress
levels, balancing your hormone levels, increasing body awareness, helping your body to build muscle and to let go
of excess fat. Most people automatically notice their cravings for junk food subside, but will still need to work on
their behavior around food; in particular the size, frequency and timing of their meals. These can be helpful food
strategies:
Small nutritious meals every few hours will convince your body that it is safe to let go of the emergency stores of
fat. Unless you have emotional reasons to hold on to the fat (like thinking deep down that being fat is convenient
because it gives you a built in excuse for not having a relationship or not having a career that is going anywhere),
this will be enough to start losing fat. This type of weight loss is slow, because you’re not losing water and you’re
building muscle instead of losing it. You’re only losing fat, hence you’re not losing 2 pounds a week. You didn’t
gain your weight with a rate of 2 pounds a week and it is not going to come off at that rate. But what is important
is that what comes off stays off and you’ll feel strong and fit in the body you were meant to have!
seem? Unfortunately, no matter how much money you spend on books, systems, pills, hypnosis, machines,
gadgets, equipment, memberships...there is no simple or quick solution. The fad diets don't work and weight
loss is usually followed by gaining it all back and then some.
Why fads don't work?
All fad diets are about reducing caloric intake whether it be through limiting fruits, vegetables, sugar, carbs,
counting points, etc. Any way you look at it when you go on a diet your body starts to go into shock , panics and
shuts down your metabolism as much as possible to protect your reserves. When you shock your body by trying to
lose weight quickly you will even sacrifice muscle at the expense of letting go of fat. When this happens your body
starts to resist your efforts with intense cravings for specific foods. Why? Because your body thinks it is starving!
When you start eating those foods you crave or even a normal caloric intake you gain back any weight you lost
plus a little more for insurance.
Why yoga is different.
The biggest difference is that yoga builds awareness and acceptance of where you are now. The number of
calories that yoga burns is inconsequential. Yoga fosters a sense of mindfulness so that as you develop this
quality, you learn to be more attuned to your body. You start to realize the sensation of overeating is not pleasant
and stop eating when you're full. You recognize anxiety and stress for what they are instead of trying to mask
them with food.
Why Yoga?
- Yoga reduces stress levels. You may think only high-powered executives experience stress, but really, most
of us are in a permanent state of stress. Getting the kids to school in time, dealing with work, deadlines,
financial worries, relationship problems, traffic, the holidays, weight concerns, it’s all stress. Stress totally
upsets the hormonal balance, making it virtually impossible to lose weight. The stretches we do in yoga
release muscle tension, which in turn reduces stress levels. - Yoga is instant gratification. Because of the release of tension in the body, yoga is exercise that makes you
feel good immediately. You don’t have to struggle 6 weeks until you can finally make it through a step class
without thinking you’re going to die halfway through. You’ll feel capable and powerful right from the start! - If you don’t truly enjoy the exercise you’re doing eventually you’re going to stop doing it. Many people
enjoy yoga, not just suffer through it because ‘it’s got to be done’. The exercise you actually do is far more
effective than the exercise you think you should be doing, but never can quite seem to get around to. - Yoga is aerobic and it builds muscle. You know you have to do cardiovascular exercise to increase your
heart rate and lift weights to build muscle, to get full health benefits. Yoga does both. It uses your own body
weight for resistance and it can get your heart rate way up. Not always in the same class, but keep coming
back and we’ll do it all. - Yoga is a complete body work out. No stick arms with thunder thighs. Also, we don’t isolate muscle groups
as you do in weight lifting, so the strength you build is balanced and more functional in daily life. Your whole
body will build long, lean muscles. - Yoga stimulates your glands, which helps to restore hormonal balance, reducing food and alcohol cravings.
There are poses that stimulate the thyroid, the adrenal glands and other glands that the treadmill just won’t
get to. - Yoga stimulates the digestive track, making it easier to eliminate the waste products that your shrinking
fat cells release and that can make you feel bad if they linger in your body. - Yoga focuses on accomplishments, on accepting our bodies and our selves. You are never encouraged to do
something you’re not comfortable with. There are no perky 20 year olds in front of the class screaming at
you to do it harder, faster, more, more, more…. (that would be counterproductive for the stress levels).
Instead we want you to find peace in and with your body. Only if you love your body are you going to be
motivated to take good care of it. - Yoga focuses on body awareness. True yoga asks you to be continually present and aware of what is going
on in your body (and sometimes your mind, many of us encounter fear in particular poses). This practice in
being mindful helps when in daily life we have a tendency to do things mindlessly (like eating).
And food
Yoga is not a magic pill, however. When done 3 or more times a week it can be very effective in lowering stress
levels, balancing your hormone levels, increasing body awareness, helping your body to build muscle and to let go
of excess fat. Most people automatically notice their cravings for junk food subside, but will still need to work on
their behavior around food; in particular the size, frequency and timing of their meals. These can be helpful food
strategies:
- Stop dieting. Diets cause fat storage, you need to eat when you are hungry. If you’re craving a double fudge
sundae (or fries, or whatever), you should only eat it when you’re hungry and don’t overeat. - Shrink and multiply your meals. A steady supply of small meals (about 4 to 5 times a day) will steadily
supply your body with the fuel it needs without sending it into fat storage mode. - Eat during the day. Don't eat before you go to bed, when your metabolism has slowed down.
- Eat healthier. We all know what that means: fewer processed foods with empty calories, healthier fats,
more fruit and veggies and whole grains.
Small nutritious meals every few hours will convince your body that it is safe to let go of the emergency stores of
fat. Unless you have emotional reasons to hold on to the fat (like thinking deep down that being fat is convenient
because it gives you a built in excuse for not having a relationship or not having a career that is going anywhere),
this will be enough to start losing fat. This type of weight loss is slow, because you’re not losing water and you’re
building muscle instead of losing it. You’re only losing fat, hence you’re not losing 2 pounds a week. You didn’t
gain your weight with a rate of 2 pounds a week and it is not going to come off at that rate. But what is important
is that what comes off stays off and you’ll feel strong and fit in the body you were meant to have!
| breathe - move - improve |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |