Mid life presents unique challenges for weight loss. Some people who have never experienced a struggle with weight suddenly find themselves dealing with the tell tale mid life bulge around the middle. Yoga offers distinct benefits for the unique difficulties with weight loss at this stage of life.
After 40, people tend to gain weight and have trouble keeping it off. There is research to suggest that practicing yoga can help people in mid life lose weight and keep the weight off. A study conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine looked at yoga and weight loss in people between 45 and 55 years old.
The yoga participants practiced yoga at least once a week for four years or more. For the study, researchers looked at the weight and yoga history of 15,500 men and women, comparing people who practice yoga and others who don’t practice. They found that in the ten year period, the people who practiced yoga at 45 years old lost approximately 3 pounds in ten years, while the non yoga group gained ten pounds.
If the people were overweight, the people who did not practice yoga gained an average of 14 pounds, while yoga practitioners lost about five pounds. The difference is nearly twenty pounds between the two groups.
There are a few reasons that yoga offers benefits for weight loss in middle age and avoiding the weight gain that plagues so many people at this stage of life. Practicing yoga is known to help to burn calories, especially vinyasa flow classes. In addition, the practice strengthens and tones the muscles.
There are other factors that people who practice yoga experience. One theory is that people who practice yoga often adopt a healthier lifestyle in general, including dietary changes. Another factor can be the emotional benefits of yoga. The reduced stress and anxiety, coupled with the idea of self acceptance can curb emotional eating by providing another outlet and changing the general outlook on life.
As people practice yoga over a longer period of time, they are more likely to take the practice “off the mat” and practice a yoga lifestyle. This includes healthier food choices and organic foods over processed foods, which are high in fat, sodium and other unhealthy chemicals that sabotage weight loss efforts. This switch to a healthier diet could have more impact than the physical activity in terms of avoiding weight gain and losing weight.
Although researchers aren’t sure exactly why yoga offers weight loss benefits, it is clear that including a regular yoga practice can help you avoid gaining weight, increase weight loss and help you keep the weight off. The type of yoga doesn’t seem to matter, as long as the practice is regular. September is National Yoga Month, which offers the perfect opportunity to give it a try. Most communities are offering special programs and some studios are offering free classes. To find a free class or event in your area, visit their website at yogamonth.org.