8 possible reasons why you do not lose weight

Nothing is more frustrating and discouraging when hard work doesn’t pay off, especially when it comes to exercising and eating right. It’s frustrating when you’re going through all the steps to lose weight: staying focused and persisting, yet after all your hard work, you have very little to show for it.

The science of Ayurveda has a new and different approach to exercise and weight loss, one you probably haven’t heard of, and the results are amazing. Ayurveda’s concepts of diet and exercise are different from the typical North American model of diet and exercise.

Here is a testimonial from one of my clients:

I went to see Erica for some health issues and wanted to lose some weight. Erica evaluated me and put together a weight loss and health plan designed specifically for me! It included an Ayurveda lifestyle and eating plan and some specific Ayurveda treatments. I have lost 18 pounds, my sleep has improved, I have less joint pain and no more vertigo. The plan was easy to follow and I never felt deprived. I feel great.

One of the first things that is noticeably different is that the Ayurveda diet or eating plan is based on the elemental qualities in you and the food you are consuming. The qualities of earth, water, fire, air, and space must be consumed appropriately for you. The food and its qualities will be determined by an Ayurveda evaluation. The other notable difference is that we all need to live in relation to our food and lifestyle. There is an interconnection between you, your food, your habits, and the natural world. And to lose weight you must take this into account.

Almost everywhere in nature that we look, there are creatures that engage in some kind of constant daily routine. The natural world at large is profoundly influenced by the rhythms of nature: the rising and setting of the sun, the cycles of the seasons, and the underlying impulses that drive the larger community of life. While there is often some degree of seasonal variation, many plants and animals adopt a predictable daily rhythm and, as a rule, live according to it. As humans, we have largely moved away from this habit. But at the most fundamental level, our physiology is highly adapted and supported by a certain sense of regularity. Food is no exception to this regularity.

Here are some simple reasons why you are not losing weight and how Ayurveda can help you:

You are not eating the right foods. Eat foods that elementally match your needs.
You are not eating enough. This concept is simple: eat more of the right food. You’re probably thinking, ‘Eat more to lose weight.’ Surely that may not be correct.’ It may seem counterintuitive, however, if you really aren’t eating enough of the right foods, chances are you won’t be able to lose weight.
It is more important when you eat than what you eat. In North America, people eat 5-6 small meals a day, while on an Ayurvedic diet, three meals a day are eaten at the same time every day. Eat your biggest meal at noon. This principle is aligning your eating patterns with nature. The sun is at its highest point at noon, which is a signal for the body. In America, we eat our biggest meals at dinner. Many times only a few hours before sleep.
You are eating too much of the wrong foods. Sometimes eating less is important. If your digestion is poor or you are in the habit of eating when you are not very hungry, you will need to eat less. In Ayurveda different amounts of food are needed at different times depending on your health. If you are eating the wrong foods, weight loss will be more difficult.
You’re stressed. Does stress play a bigger role in your daily life than you would like? For many of us the answer to this question is a resounding YES! Stress is a fairly universal aspect of the modern human experience, and while some stress is acceptable, even productive, we now understand that too much stress will be quite damaging and could compromise our physical, mental, and emotional health. Ayurveda offers a beautiful perspective on stress management, especially around mealtimes. Don’t get involved in stressful environments when you eat. Eat in a calm and beautiful environment. If you’re at work, don’t eat at your desk or in the car. Come out and sit in the park! Also use meditation and breathing exercises to decrease stress.
You are exercising too much. In fact, we may end up doing more harm than good. If we haven’t fueled our bodies properly, exercise can be quite stressful, causing excess production of cortisol (the stress hormone), often leading to weight gain.
You’re not getting enough sleep. You guessed it: lack of sleep or not being able to see at the right time doesn’t just have an effect on our mood and concentration. Not getting enough sleep or going to bed too late can affect your ability to maintain a healthy weight. On top of that, when you’re tired, your body releases more hormones that make you feel hungry. This means, again, that you think you need food when your body really doesn’t.
You love to drink cold water. Drink only ½ cup of warm water with your meals. Never drink cold water.

So what are the solutions?

In Ayurveda, digestion is the root of all diseases and conditions. When you are eating the wrong food at the wrong time or do not follow any of these examples, you are causing food to not digest properly. When food is digested incorrectly… “AMA” is created. Ama is the precursor of most diseases.

Make sure you eat enough. Instead of counting calories and focusing on that, focus on eating plenty of fresh produce, whole grains, lean protein, and drinking plenty of water so you don’t accidentally eat when you’re really just dehydrated. Get enough sleep too.