Yoga and Obesity

It is clear in this case that the main causes of “Obesity “are related to one’s lifestyle. The first cause is overeating. The second is decreased physical activity, which means that there is an imbalance in the amount of energy we take in and the amount we expend. To become obese, therefore, we have to consume more calories than we actually need for our requirements and daily activities. (A calorie is a unit of heat. It represents the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of seven kg of water by one degree Centigrade. This unit of heat is used to study the metabolism of the body. We need an average of 2000 calories per day for our essential functions.)Reason of Obesity/weight gain

There are many reasons of weight gain like bad food habits, excess consumption of fats, eating food which is sugar rich and consuming food all the time, which includes milk, butter, cheese, oily food, non-vegetarian food, tea, coffee, bakery products, rice etc. Not eating raw food, fruits, and vegetables rich in fibers. Some physical problems can also be the reason of obesity like obesity can be hereditary, digestive disorders may result in obesity, improper functioning of Endocrine gland system, and problems in the nervous system, imbalance in emotional and mental activities.

Putting on weight, however, means there has been a change in our lifestyle that is conducive to storing energy (calories) in the form of fat tissue. Processed foods are termed as empty calories because they are without other nutrients like proteins, vitamins and minerals, although they contain readily available energy that can be digested, absorbed and assimilated with less effort. All these changes make us gain weight, and we remain with that extra weight, creating a new cycle in life where inactivity, which was probably the cause, turns out to be the effect. Obesity actually leads to further inactivity, and this in turn leads to more obesity.

Obesity Symptoms

Obesity increases weight, reduces physical movements, and also brings in slowness in emotional and mental activities. Due to obesity food intake increases. Obesity can result in frustration. Laziness increases by reducing overall efficiency. Sometimes obesity can create obstruction to breathing process. It may also result in heart problems, diabetes or blood pressure.

Now finally we can say that the obese body provides the perfect soil for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, gall bladder disease, atherosclerosis, and many other imbalances to grow. Furthermore, psychological imbalances and complexes also arise due to obesity which limit the range of expression and make life less enjoyable. But one can control the extra weight factor and can avoid the risk of developing many physical and mental disorders.

Obesity and Yoga

Yoga has considered all physical, emotional and mental aspects of Obesity. Regular practice of Yoga and controlled life style reduces obesity. Yoga makes human being agile, efficient and slim. Yoga is suitable for people of any age group. Yoga helps in achieving the control over mind and behavior (one can easily control food habits and change life style to reduce the obesity.) Yoga has different effect on obesity, which is permanent in nature than other techniques for obesity reduction.

Yoga asanas or Yoga postures like Paschimottanasana, Sarvangasana, Trikonasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Virasana, Trikonasana, Ardha-Matsyendrasana are helpful in reducing weight. Along with Yoga asanas Sun salutation is very effective for obesity reduction, and Pranayama, cleansing processes like agnisar, uddiyan bandha also helps in reducing obesity.

Good Food Habits

For good food habits the lunch and dinner timings should be fixed. The time difference in two meals should be four hours. Low fat meal, with fiber rich vegetables and fruits should be taken. Reduce fats, excess calories, sweets, milk, butter, cheese etc in meals. And you should also add some good daily routine habits like do not sleep for more than 6 to 7 hours, stop addictions such as smoking, drinking alcohol or any other drugs. You can take the help of a dietician and should fix the daily diet schedule.

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