Chinese Medicine Weight loss Principles

1. Eat regularly

Plan your meals  to eat at the same times daily because the body likes routine. An erratic eating pattern disturbs the spleen energy and eventually reduces proper digestive function. As a result of irregular eating habits you may experience bloating, cravings and fatigue.

2. Focus on your food

Use your meals as meditation practice by focusing on the sensations and enjoyment of eating. By bringing your awareness into your senses you’ll stimulate digestive juices, increase your ability to absorb nutrition and decrease digestion time.

Many people express gratitude before a meal which is an excellent way of calming your mind before a eating. Take small bites and chew your food thoroughly. Savor the flavours, appreciate the colours & smell the aromas. Allow your body to relax. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the present moment. Most of the time we’re not conscious of eating and in fact use it as an escape. By becoming conscious in an otherwise unconscious activity you’ll begin to take control of eating addictions.
Slow down, focus and enjoy your food. You’ll notice less bloating, increased energy and a new appreciation for food.

3. Eat Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Queen & Dinner like a Pauper

The English got this saying right and it’s something the Chinese have known for thousands of years. Enjoy a big breakfast so you have energy for the day. Keep  your energy levels up with a medium wholesome lunch and finish with a light dinner. There’s no point having a large dinner at night if you won’t be exercising after to use the energy.

By simply switching the amount you eat to big in the morning and light at dinner you should notice a change in energy levels immediately.

4. Eat until 70% full

Gauge when you become 70% full & complete your meal. Overeating puts strain on your digestive system & reduces your energy for further activity to increase metabolism. This is another way of becoming conscious and taking control of your food intake. 

5. Enjoy the feeling of being hungry

The process of weight loss means putting your body into an energy deficit, which has the side effect of hunger because the body likes instant energy rather than the energy from your fat stores. Hunger is a natural part of life. Enjoy feeling hungry.

6. Become active & increase fun in your life

Take regular walks & raise your fitness levels to enhance your capacity for life. Try an Adult Trampolining class, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Tai Chi, Tennis or a community garden. The main thing is to get active with an activity you’ll enjoy.  Life is about movement, so chose an activity that gives a good cardiovascular workout and is fun at the same time.

7. Combine different colours in your meals

Try and get as many coloured fresh fruit and vegetables in your meal at each meal. Your meal should be an array of colour. By creating a variety of colours you’ll be helping to have an energetically balanced meal and therefore balance your energy systems. Try for the next 7 days adding colour to your plate and watch your energy levels rise as you start increasing the amount of nutrition in each meal. 

For a more detailed Chinese medicine dietary plan and weight loss program, make an appointment with a qualified Chinese Medicine Practitioner. Acupuncture and herbal medicine combined with the right dietary and lifestyle changes can give you fantastic weight loss results.

Dr. Paul Carter
Acupuncturist & Herbalist

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