#1 Weight loss Rule - Eat Only When Hungry
Yes! You read it right. Eating only when you are actually hungry and in moderation is the No-1 weight loss mantra (which you will hear me repeat a lot in this post).
Ayurveda suggests:
"mita ahara, mita vihara, mita ayasa"
Meaning - It is advisable to have moderation in eating, activity and rest.
Food is the most important aspect of being alive. We don't really need a buffet full of food to stay alive. Starters, main-course followed by sweet desserts are only to feed our taste buds. Yes that amazing sensation of taste, which lasts no longer than few minutes.
We humans are not just the physical body, we have an intellectual body within us, an emotional aspect and also a deep layer called "Self". All these layers in us are affected by the food we eat. Hence, eating is very important.
Some people need 3 proper meals to get through the day and some have 6 small meals, either way eating only when you are hungry and listening to your body is the key here.
Why should we eat only when we are hungry?
- Well, we all know that hunger is our body's signal to request for more food. It means our stomach is empty and the energy sources from bloodstreams are exhausted. A gentle nod from our stomach is prompting us to eat. This is the time we must actually eat. When we choose to ignore this signal our body will breakdown stored energy for fuel.
- No matter how bad (or good) a cook you are, hunger will make you better. When your body is asking for food, your taste buds are primed to make food as pleasurable as possible. Your senses are heightened and that first bite of your meal will be amazing!
- This also makes eating mindfully much easier.
Hunger is the barometer that tells us when to eat. Eat when you're hungry and that nutrition will fuel your life.
How will you know your hungry?
- Do not starve long enough only to be overly hungry, to the point where you overeat.
- While hunger signals will vary from person to person, we all normally expect to feel some emptiness accompanied by warm sensations just below the breastbone.
- Some may experience a growl, a dip in energy or sometimes even lack of focus.
What happens if you eat when your not hungry?
- Needless snacking stalls your weight loss efforts. It is like piling additional fuel on an already sufficient gas tank. We wont feel hungry for quite some time and any excess fuel will be stored as body fat. If this is done occasionally it is not a big deal. But, done over time this practice will lead to excess body weight! Probably not what you want.
- If you have some extra weight you would like to lose allowing yourself to feel hungry for 30-60 minutes before meals regularly will ensure you have sustainable weight loss.
How much should we eat?
- Eat only when you are hungry (yes! I am hoping it echoes in your head) and "Stop when Full."
- It is simple. If you begin eating when you are hungry, it is easy to notice the absence of it !
But if you eat when you are not hungry, how will you know when to stop?
- With time and attention, you will begin to discover exactly what your body needs to thrive.
Thanks for reading :-)
Ayurveda suggests:
"mita ahara, mita vihara, mita ayasa"
Meaning - It is advisable to have moderation in eating, activity and rest.
Food is the most important aspect of being alive. We don't really need a buffet full of food to stay alive. Starters, main-course followed by sweet desserts are only to feed our taste buds. Yes that amazing sensation of taste, which lasts no longer than few minutes.
We humans are not just the physical body, we have an intellectual body within us, an emotional aspect and also a deep layer called "Self". All these layers in us are affected by the food we eat. Hence, eating is very important.
Some people need 3 proper meals to get through the day and some have 6 small meals, either way eating only when you are hungry and listening to your body is the key here.
Why should we eat only when we are hungry?
- Well, we all know that hunger is our body's signal to request for more food. It means our stomach is empty and the energy sources from bloodstreams are exhausted. A gentle nod from our stomach is prompting us to eat. This is the time we must actually eat. When we choose to ignore this signal our body will breakdown stored energy for fuel.
- No matter how bad (or good) a cook you are, hunger will make you better. When your body is asking for food, your taste buds are primed to make food as pleasurable as possible. Your senses are heightened and that first bite of your meal will be amazing!
- This also makes eating mindfully much easier.
Hunger is the barometer that tells us when to eat. Eat when you're hungry and that nutrition will fuel your life.
How will you know your hungry?
- Do not starve long enough only to be overly hungry, to the point where you overeat.
- While hunger signals will vary from person to person, we all normally expect to feel some emptiness accompanied by warm sensations just below the breastbone.
- Some may experience a growl, a dip in energy or sometimes even lack of focus.
What happens if you eat when your not hungry?
- Needless snacking stalls your weight loss efforts. It is like piling additional fuel on an already sufficient gas tank. We wont feel hungry for quite some time and any excess fuel will be stored as body fat. If this is done occasionally it is not a big deal. But, done over time this practice will lead to excess body weight! Probably not what you want.
- If you have some extra weight you would like to lose allowing yourself to feel hungry for 30-60 minutes before meals regularly will ensure you have sustainable weight loss.
How much should we eat?
- It is simple. If you begin eating when you are hungry, it is easy to notice the absence of it !
But if you eat when you are not hungry, how will you know when to stop?
- With time and attention, you will begin to discover exactly what your body needs to thrive.
Thanks for reading :-)
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