By Dr. Surya Bhagwati
Chief In- House Doctor
BAMS, DHA, DHHCM, DHBTC | 30+ Years of Experience
We all are always on the lookout for ways to shed that extra flab and feel good about our bodies. One of the most followed methods is fasting for weight loss - a practice where one abstains from food for a period of time to reduce calorie intake and induce metabolic changes. While some may be sceptical of fasting as a weight loss aid, it focuses on when you eat rather than what you eat, optimizing insulin sensitivity and promoting effective weight loss.
Try Intermittent Fasting
Explore intermittent fasting diet plan, a popular trend among fitness enthusiasts. This method involves eating and fasting during specific periods of time such as the 16/8 method where you fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8-hour window. It has been shown to boost metabolism and enhance fat burning, making it effective for achieving weight loss goals.
Tracking Diet and Exercise
Keep a log to feel responsible for your actions and then make mature decisions. Apps and journals count food, track macronutrient intake, as well as calculate calories burnt during workout, which helps keep track of weight management efforts.
Mindful Eating
It encourages people to pay attention to the process of eating, relish each bite and bring consciousness of hunger, leaving you with a feeling of fullness. This habit prevents overeating, eases digestion and makes one have a healthy relationship with food.
Eat Protein In Every Meal
Add protein-rich foods to your meals because they increase feelings of fullness, promote the retention of muscle mass, and support higher metabolisms for people, who wish to lose weight. Good sources of protein include lean meats, fish, eggs, legumes, and dairy products. These foods tend to promote weight loss and improve overall health.
Reduce Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates
This will help avoid peaks and crashes in blood sugar, avoid cravings, and help indicate a balanced meal to supply the body with steady energy levels. Use whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to balance your diet.
Fibre
A high-fibre diet allows for improved digestion, avoids early hunger cues, and creates a healthy intestine with good microorganisms. Eat enough fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes in your diet to hit the daily intake of fibre for optimum weight loss.
Balancing Gut Bacteria
Proper gut bacteria balance maintenance is important for digestion and for the body to absorb nutrients leading to good health. For further help in obtaining weight loss, the diet should include probiotic and prebiotic foods rich in yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and garlic.
Good Night’s Sleep
Quality sleep is imperative for your hormones, appetite, and, of course, overall well-being. Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help support a weight loss regime and promote optimum health.
Managing your stress levels
This chronic stress is a trigger for overeating, ensuing in weight gain, more so around the midsection. Adapt stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and regular exercise to keep stress at bay and thereby enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
Types of Fasting for Weight Loss
Intermittent Fasting (IF)
It is based on the alternation of periods of eating with ones of fasting. Some of the more common methods include the 16/8 method; the fasting period is 16 hours, and one eats within an 8-hour window. This fasting plan for weight loss will help optimize insulin sensitivity and increase fat burning.
Alternate-Day Fasting
One is alternate-day fasting, in which some days are normally eaten, and the rest include very reduced or zero intakes of calories. With this fasting diet plan, one can create a huge caloric deficit, which helps in the process of weight loss but gives room for flexibility in dieting.
Extended Fasting
It typically involves fasting for about 24–72 hours. Such a method is good for making more profound metabolic changes, like higher autophagy and fat burning, but as one of the best fasting methods for weight loss, it requires cautious implementation and close professional supervision.
Mistakes to Avoid when Fasting for Weight Loss
- Inconsistent Fasting Schedule: Maintain a regular fasting schedule to avoid metabolic fluctuations.
- Overeating During Eating Windows: Be mindful of portion sizes to maximize fasting benefits.
- Neglecting Nutrient Intake: Ensure each meal during eating periods provides essential nutrients to support overall health.
- Ignoring Signs of Hunger or Fatigue: Listen to your body and respond appropriately to hunger cues to avoid overexertion or depletion.
- Dehydration: Stay hydrated to prevent headaches and fatigue during fasting periods.
Health Benefits of Fasting
Fasting not only aids weight loss by improving insulin sensitivity but also induces cellular processes like autophagy, reduces inflammation, and enhances brain function and cardiac health. These benefits contribute to overall well-being and longevity.
Discover Ayurvedic products at Dr Vaidya’s, such as Apple Cider Vinegar Effervescent, Apple Cider Vinegar Juice and Herboslim. These weight loss medicine are designed to complement fasting and are formulated with super herbs that boost metabolism and support gut health, aligning with your wellness goals.
Dr. Surya Bhagwati
BAMS (Ayurveda), DHA (Hospital Admin), DHHCM (Health Management), DHBTC (Herbal Beauty and Cosmetology)
Dr. Surya Bhagwati is an established, well-known Ayurvedic expert with over 30 years of experience in treating and consulting in the field of Ayurveda. She is known for the timely, efficient, and patient-centred delivery of quality health care. The patients under her care receive a unique holistic treatment comprising not only medicinal treatment but also spiritual empowerment.