Stubborn- this is how you can describe the excess body fat. With age, losing that extra fat becomes a herculean task. The world has looked up to India for solutions, even when it is an issue of weight management. Fortunately, the world has found its answer in the form of Ayurveda, one of the most ancient and effective sciences known to humans of today.

Ayurveda is an ancient science the focus of which strictly lies on balancing the body's life energies, namely vata, kapha and pitta,instead of focusing on individual symptoms. As a result, Ayurveda workds in a way that helps in bringing the body to its natural weight. Not only that, Ayurveda has its lasting effects of calmness, relaxation and of balance.

The age old techniques used in Ayurveda are capable of directly targeting the exercise-resistant fat by way of strengthening your digestive system. This very capability is one of the biggest differences between the conventional methods and the ayurvedic weight loss techniques including weight loss medicine.

These techniques, which focus on identifying the reasons that augment your fat cells and then work continuously towards rectifying them, have proved their worth since thousands of years. They can be performed daily without any of cause of worry or probability of harm.

Ama, a special concept, is an important constituent in the ayurvedic medicines that are meant for weight loss. Ama refers to the toxins which are nothing but impurities that get accumulated in human bodies as a result of chronic stress, improper diet and other environmental pollutants. The toxins which are soluble in water are the ones which are easier to terminate from body.

This can be done with the help of regular exercise and a proper diet. However, there are toxins which get stuck deep inside the fat cells, known as fat-soluble toxins. These fat cells keep expanding as they keep accumulating these toxins, thus, leading to weight gain. This is specially seen in the areas around the thighs, stomach and hips.

The techiniques used in Ayurveda aim at removing ama by shrinking the fat cells. The older one gets higher go the chances of having ama in the body. However, if a person follows detox programs and daily healthy habits, he or she can most certainly remove these toxins and they are removed from the roots before they can turn into a chronic issue.

Before one makes efforts to find the right ayurvedic medicine forweight loss, it is best to make sure of one thing. One should determine the presence of the toxins in body. Once it has been established as to what toxins are accumulated in your body, you will be in a better position to decide on the ayurvedic medicine.

Herbal supplements form part of ayurvedic medicine and these can be of great benefit in weight control. These supplements are generally free from any negative side effects of conventional drugs. Diet therapy alone is many times incapable of bringing significant changes and hence ayurvedic medicine becomes a necessity. As already mentioned, the defective metabolism is corrected by the ayurvedic medicines. Once the metabolism gets in shape, it becomes easier to shed and maintain the weight eventually.

Below are few herbalsupplements that can be taken for weight loss.

1. Takrarishta, a fermented preparation made with butter milk, along with guduchi, musta, devadaru, honey and triphala. 
2. A formulation of the powder of amalaka and yava and amalaka is considered quite effective in most scenarios.
3. Juice of Agnimathaalong with Shilajita is a good forumlation.
4. You can also consider taking honey early in the morning every day.

Another option could be taking powder of Sunthi, Vidanga, Yavakshara, Aamalaki Yava, and Loha Bhasma.

Each one of these recommendations are going to help you shed those extra kilos. They are definitely useful even when taken individually. However, they are most effective when taken in combinations as specified above. These combinations, when taken regularly, not only help in losing weight but also ensure that you are able to keep that extra flab off at all times.

There are other more complex combinations that can also be treated as ayurvedic medicines for weight loss. Detox tea is one such formulation. Detox tea comprises of a combination of various ingredients which are meant to improve the digestion, help in breaking down fat more efficiently and unclogging the channels in our body with the removal of ama.

Another combination could be that of cumin, coriander and fennel. When the whole seeds of all these three spices are added to water and boiled for around five minutes, you will be left with a concoction once the seeds are strained out of the liquid.

However, it is important to make it a point to follow it up with strict diet and a workout regime. A wholesome approach towards weightloss will always be helpful.

“Can Yoga help me lose fat?” I asked in a worrying voice to the instructor at the place where I was to enroll for yoga. I was worried because long before my friends suggested to take yoga, I had tried every other doctrine in an attempt to lower my weight and lose fat, alas – all of them in vain! “Yoga can certainly help you lose fat, not only temporarily but permanently” came the prompt reply. Reassured by the instructor, I thought there is nothing to lose really and so I enrolled in yoga for weight loss, still skeptical about the effectiveness of yoga.

Next morning I showed up in my new yoga pants with my yoga mat, and so the journey began. “Relax your muscles” my instructor told me. He explained in detail that human body muscles become stuff due to inactivity and lack of effort by our muscles. This muscle inactivity leads to stress on the joints and cause joint pains. The muscle, joints and the tendon work together to perform an activity. For example the thigh muscle, the knee joint and the tendons connecting the muscle with the bones work in tandem when we walk. If the thigh muscle or Quadriceps femoris as scientifically know becomes weak, then the load falls onto the knee joint causing pain and in extreme cases tendonitis – which is swelling of the tendon due to excessive load.

Yoga for weight loss, be it of any style, engages muscle groups as we perform “asana” which means to assume certain body position. During these positions, specific muscles are targeted and hence increases mobility of the body.“So mobility of muscles is a good thing” I thought, “but what about calories burnt?” After all calories burnt directly relates to weight loss. Calorie is basically unit to measure energy. When we eat food we intake energy. This energy is then spent by the human body when we perform any physical activity such as walking or swimming. Even when we don’t perform any physical activity some energy is spent which is decided by the metabolism of our body. The excessive energy is get deposited and stored as fat that contributes majorly towards weight gain. It is important to focus on weight loss by fat burning.

Yoga burns nearly 175 calories per hour, when compared against other aerobic other aerobic exercises such as running that burns 600 calories per hour, it might appear that yoga is ineffective. However, we should take into account that it is rather difficult to run for an hour at the same speed than it is to do yoga for an hour. Hence doing yoga can sufficiently increase heart rate – required to consume sugar flowing in the blood stream and supplement the sugar supply by breaking down fat, and put strain onto muscles – hence strengthening them.Nearly 21 million people in USA alone, actively participate in yoga. They spend more than $10 billion a year on classes and products (including equipment, clothing, retreats and videos). The majority of yoga practitioners cite general wellness, stress management or weight loss as one of their primary motivations for taking up the practice.

There is a special form of yoga, called the hot yoga or the power yoga that helps in faster burning of calories. This form of yoga is performed in hot and humid climatic conditions. In colder climate the human muscle contracts and does not perform to its capacity. Hot and humid conditions trigger calorie burning heart rate, mobility of muscles by loosening them, and sweating – which is a sign of the body breaking down sugar. This decrease in the sugar level in blood is compensated by breaking down fat stored in the body to replenish the sugar.

The more important benefit of yoga however is spiritual. “Yoga helps you adapt into a new lifestyle where the mind and body work towards wellbeing” explained my instructor.

He added that weight gain can make any person harsh on himself. Self-judgment is a common thing issue one faces. Yoga proves as an effective intervention here. It helps in counteracting by creating a positive and safe environment in order to facilitate reconnection with our bodies and put to rest the counterproductive messages that erupt in our minds. Also, getting engaged in physical activity (read asana practice) helps foster a greater sense of self control that translates into a more disciplined life.

Looking at it from physiological angle, there are certain styles of yoga that would be more appropriate for people specifically seeking weight loss. For instance, there is a Vinyasa-style asana where poses are linked together by breath and movement. This style builds heat that potentially result in burining comparatively more amount of calories. This style of practice can be supplemented with other aerobic exercise that you may be already involved in such as swimming, biking, walking or running.

So after listening to my instructor can I confidently tell him that yoga practice will help me lose weight? Well, yes.

Age no bar; every woman has weight lost on the top of her ‘to-do’ list. It is a time when looking good is not just a matter of social pride but also a factor that adds to self importance. If you are woman who has been working hard in the gym to kick those kilos off from your butt, you will second that not every woman is blessed to be trim and skinny; some just need to lose enough weight to look fine. Losing weight, dear ladies, is not a matter of months. It takes years to get your body to a level where it can lose weight as well as maintain it. Weight loss programs for women often preach that it takes consistency and hard work to lose weight from tough parts.

WEIGHT PROBLEMS THAT YOU ARE LIKELY TO FACE

Though weight gain is a universal problem (since it doesn’t spare people of any country) affecting both men and women, when it comes to the latter, there are some typical issues that have been mentioned as follows:

1. Weight on the upper arms
2. Weight on the thighs
3. Flabby stomach that is not toned but sags
4. Inches piled up on the back.
5.  Huge hips and a slender waist

The above listed are some weight problems that women are often found cussing and gossiping about. Women suffer losing inches from the listed areas the most. There might be exceptions, however.

WEIGHT LOSS MISTAKES EVERYONE MAKES

In the words of Chris Freytag ‘Eating should be a pleasant – not miserable- experience. To make it so, let’s first discuss some of the mistakes that women (even men) make with respect to weight loss. 

1. Counting Calories: Often we act as our own fitness experts and mess up things more. One of the most common mistakes that almost everyone has made or is making on the mission to lose weight is to count calorie intake. Use common sense here! Does 500 calories from chocolate and chips equals to 500 calories from fruits? 
2. Errands Equals Exercise: That is a myth! 15 minutes of wiping the floor might help you get flexible and fit, but it can hardly help in any weight loss. On the other hand, 15 minutes of cycling can help kick of kilos, if done regularly. 
3. Exertion Equals Exercise: This is another fad that somehow a lot many people believe in. Exercising to the points of a breakdown isn’t something that should be popularized. You need to be consistent – that is the mantra!
4. You Can Eat Anything If You Exercise: Well, to an extent, you can forgive yourself some indulgency. However, this does not mean you can be careless with your diet. You won’t be able to lose any weight in case of the latter.
5. Any Amount of Nutritious Food Does Not Hurt: Another fallacy thrown your way is that you can eat as much of nutritious food as you want. Portions should always be kept under check. Eating four to five small meals throughout the day is the right way to lose weight.

Taking care of the above listed five things can help you battle out your weight issues steadily. No weight loss pills for women can do as much wonder as your own dedication.

WEIGHT LOSS FOR WOMEN

Women often complain about their super busy routines because of which they cannot find time for exercise. Majority of working women resort to diet plans so as to lose weight. As mentioned before, reducing your food intake only kills your metabolism. Moreover, when you resume your old diet, you end up gaining more weight. So, what is the solution? Here are some simple weight loss tips for women who want to stay fit and look beautiful:

1. Fruits are a Must: Don’t starve yourself when you are hungry. Reach out for a fruit like apple, blue berries, strawberries or pomegranates. Mixing them in yogurt is a recipe that makes excellent breakfast.
2. Take the Stairs: If you are not exercising, do not take the lift in your office. Take the stairs at least three times a day. This will help you keep your muscles flexible and the fat off your hips and thighs.
3. Walk: If your office is located at a distance of 2 to 3 kilometers from your home, you can walk instead of calling out for a rickshaw.
4. Yoga: It does not require you to spend hours out in the gym. Yoga can be done at home and you need only around fifteen minutes of it daily to trim down. Pranaayam and Kapaalbharti are known for decreasing belly fat.
5. Squatting: 20 squats a day can give you a toned butt like never before. Slowly increase the count of squats and the intensity as well.

These are some of the ways in which one can give their sluggish metabolism a push. Remember, losing weight it not a onetime task. After all, you have to maintain the kilos you have lost too!

A trim person is considered to be fit, healthy and attractive. True that research often points out that those who weigh a little more than their required weight live longer than those who weigh less than the optimum weight as per their height, there is a reason why people consider weight loss as a way of bettering quality of life. From spending hours in the gym to grueling morning walks and what not, those who wish to remain healthy, spend a considerable time on their body. After all, it is in a healthy body that a healthy mind resides! The sad part is that it is not as simple to lose weight as simple as it seems.

There is a misconception amongst people that dieting can help them effectively lose weight within a time period of two to five months. That is why you see so many people hogging on all kinds of foods and drinks unless and until they are about to get married or have to attend some function. When the time for them on which they believe they have to look their best, they pick up dieting like a crash course for looking slimmer.

REASONS FOR WEIGHT GAIN

There are myriad reasons why people put on weight. There are also a number of different areas where they put on weight. For women, generally it is the thighs, hips and upper arms where they pile up kilos. Men often, on the other hand, suffer from pot bellies. So, what are some of the reasons for weight gain? It could be any of the following:

1.  Stress: You probably blame a sedentary life style the most, but something even more dangerous is stress. A hormone known as cortisol is excessively released when your body is under stress. Increased level of cortisol can cause hunger pangs and cravings. This is why a number of people binge eat when they are stressed. 
2. Little or No Exercise: Another culprit of those tiers that you see on your waist is lack of exercise in your daily routine. Keeping the metabolic rate up is essential to staying slim and fit. Those who keep sitting throughout the day develop a sluggish metabolism. When that happens, you automatically keep gaining weight. 
3.  Heredity: Sometimes weight gain is your genes (a fact that you can’t help blaming). Because it is in your genes, it is also quite difficult to get rid of the weight if that’s the case. However, with requisite amount of effort, you can lose even the toughest kind of fat. 

The above mentioned are three main factors that cause weight gain. There are a number of other reasons why people complain of increase in their weight.

THE RIGHT WAY TO WEIGHT LOSS 

Ask any fitness expert and he or she will tell you that neither diet nor exercise can help you lose weight unless taken up together. However, in case you are overweight to exercise, you have to rely solely on diet for initially losing enough kilos so that your body can take the exertion that exercise can cause on your joints. Yes, there are certain foods that can help you lose up to two pounds a week; however, it is advised that you stick to gradual weight loss for retaining muscle. Believe me you, there is no single item that can be labeled as food for weight loss, but a healthy mix of things that can help you boost your metabolism. The following are a few weight loss foods that are known for their magical property of boosting enzymes in the body that help cut down weight as well as inches:

1.  Apples: Filling, fibrous and loaded with anti-oxidants as well as minerals, apples are truly the best fruit ever! Begin your day with an apple or eat it as an evening snack for feeling full without loading up on carbs. 
2. Eggs: Minus the yellow part, eggs are a treat! Egg white is recommended by almost every doctor and fitness expert if you are someone who wants to build muscle. A great source of protein, it is best eating boiled. 
3. Oats: Healthy for the heart and extremely light on the stomach, oats are a wholesome food for weight loss. A number of people consume oats for a power packed breakfast. 
4. Wild Salmon: For the non-vegetarians, there are a number of options in food, in case they are looking for weight loss. Wild salmon is just one of the innumerable foods that can be consumed for effective weight loss, and so does any other form of fish fat. 
5. Almond Butter: This is probably the only kind of butter that you can eat without thinking twice in case you are you are targeting weight loss. Since almonds are rich in protein, this variety of butter is healthy. 

The listed fantastic five foods, including natural weight loss food, are a blast of energy apart from being rich in nutrients. The last word here is that, even weight loss foods must be taken in moderation. It is better to eat light and stay light!