Weight Loss
Weight loss is a difficult prospect, especially in today's fast-paced world. All the cheap and easy food is unhealthy and we are still expected to keep pace with everyone else. How can one manage it all?
 Stressing over your waist line can actually make things worse. |
The truth is that maintaining an ideal weight is only part of a healthy lifestyle. Making some simple lifestyle changes are actually more important than measuring your waist and stressing over it. Here are a few of the things you can do:
Decide to eat healthy and don't allow yourself to cheat. This can be as simple as packing lunches for work (which is less expensive in the long run anyway), or just avoiding restaurants that serve quick fat- and sugar-laden food products. And remember a salad is only healthy if it's NOT laden with croutons and salad-dressing.
Get some kind of exercise. This one's a hard one, especially for those people that are stuck behind a desk all day. But there are things you can do to improve the amount of exercise you're getting. Park far away from work, the store, etc. and take the few extra moments to walk. Take the stairs. Get up from your desk regularly and do some stretching -- even if you have to set a timer to remind you.
In the end, you'll feel better and you probably will see some weight coming off. If you think you have a more serious metabolism problem, check with your doctor, have your thyroid levels checked, and make sure everythings working right. Then, when you want to give your metabolism that extra kick, go see an acupuncturist.
But the fact is that acupuncture isn't a magic bullet that kills fat. It's just a tool in your healthy lifestyle arsenal.
When you do go see an acupuncturist about your weight problems, here's what you might see:
Most of the needles are going to be in the abdomen area. And you're probably going to be hooked up to an electrical stimulation device as well. It's perfectly safe, and you should notice a pulsing sensation, but not pain. If it does hurt, tell your acupuncturist immediately and they will reduce the intensity for you.
There are several other options acupuncturists have as well. There are many herbal remedies that will help your body kick start your metabolism too. From pills, to powders, to plants you have to boil into tea yourself, there are many herbal remedies available.
 In a weight-loss acupuncture treatment, most of the needles will be inserted in the abdomen region. |
Ear seeds are a great way to combat hunger. Ear seeds are small round pellets attached to acupuncture points in the ear by way of a tiny piece of medical tape. Then when the patient has a craving or hunger, the patient can pinch and rub the seed into the point on their ear. The stimulation of the point will help fight off the craving for food. They're safe and easy to use, and will last about 3-7 days before the fall off on their own.
Whatever method you choose, think about the diet and exercise you're doing. Ask yourself if it will be good for you in the long run. Whatever you pick, you want something you can use for the rest of your life as a healthy habit. And if you do well, remember to reward yourself with something other than food.
By T. Justin Landers, L.Ac.