3 Ways To Lose Weight Without Starving And Working Out

My mother often repeated, “It is not just what you eat, it is also HOW you eat.” She said that probably a million times but it struck a chord only when I realized one afternoon that I actually ate less when I enjoyed and focussed more on the food I was eating. I wanted to know what eating technique could do to my weight and health in general, and this is what I found out. After this realization, every meal of mine has become more meaningful, more satisfying, and more therapeutic. Try incorporating these techniques if you are looking for some way to get out of the crave-binge-feel rut.

 Slow, Mindful Eating

 The gut starts from the mouth and goes all the way down to your anus. The entire process of digestion and elimination requires the active participation of all the parts that fall on the way from mouth to the anus. That requires a lot of bodily coordination, probably more than what is expected of you when you wear your stilettos and walk on Indian roads. Give your intestines some time for it to process the fact that you are eating and it is supposed to secrete whatever enzymes it normally does and for that to happen you gotta calm down and eat slowly.

Also, you unequivocally tend to eat much lesser when you eat slowly (1). The reason behind eating slowly is that it takes around 15-20 minutes for your brain to feel satiated no matter what and how much you eat. So, technically even if you eat less food, your brain is going to switch the hunger button off after the stipulated time. If your eating pace is fast, you end up consuming more calories than necessary, both for your body and mind. Rather, eat slowly, mindfully, and the twenty minutes just pass by in delving into the intricacies of tastes and textures of the food you are eating. There’s no time for binging and this way you stay full for longer.

 C.H.E.W

I remember, as a child, my brother and I were made to play the “slow” race game. The rules of the game were simple. Whoever finished their food first is the one to lose. I never realized the underlying dynamics of this game and why my mother religiously made this game a part of the Sunday Lunch Ritual. To win the game we chewed all the food slowly, and that’s the secret behind the game. When you grind the food into tiny morsels, there is better absorption of nutrients into the blood, better digestion, efficient elimination, and a more stable metabolism. An added benefit again is you eat slowly and consume less food than when you hog it all down your throat.

Also, a research conducted to strike a relation between eating pace, and weight gain empirically proved that people who ate slowly drank more water than those who ate fast. That’s an added egg in the basket. You stay sufficiently hydrated in the process. It sounds like an exaggeration, but holistic techniques vouch that drinking your food and eating the water is sort of the mantra behind digestive and metabolic wellness. Chew your food until it becomes liquid and savor the water in your mouth until every inch of your mouth feels hydrated. This way, you wouldn’t wouldn’t need to go to a shrink to curb your cravings and compulsive eating tendencies.

 Sleep

 My gut, quite literally, told me that there is some correlation between poor sleeping patterns and overeating. I crave for high-calorie food often when there is no uninterrupted night sleep. Also, my hunger pangs are most recurrent when my sleep rhythm is disturbed. Research says that some people who suffer from insomnia also have Night Eating Syndrome (2).  This makes it all the more important for you to get adequate sleep. Also, keep in mind that it is not just the quantity of sleep that matters but also the quality. Staying away from electronic and digital distractions, reducing emotional stress, and elevating the overall well-being will ensure you enjoy a relaxing slumber. Move out of your cocoon and indulge in some rejuvenating activities that stir you from within. You might wonder what “soul-stirring” activities could do to your weight, but I feel and look more healthy when I am far from the madding crowds. Do you disagree? Try going to the countryside for a week and get off the grid. See what it does to your sleep, your mood, your eating habits, your relationships, and beyond all – your wellbeing.

Come back and write to me if you’ve begun to binge less. Don’t forget to stick to your newly formed routine when you come back. Your getaway from the madding crowds is right within you, and you don’t have to geographically move somewhere far to learn how to LIVE!

Was this article helpful?

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals.

Author

Rachana C

Twenty seventeen says Rachana Chandrasekhar is a content writer at IncNut Digital. Of course, twenty twelve thought she'd be a vegetable vendor in an Italian countryside. Don't be too overwhelmed if twenty twenty finds her basking in the raptures of driving the fastest car on some obscure racing course.

Read full bio of Rachana C