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DISCOVER HOW TO HEAL
In order to heal, you cannot wage a war with yourself. Normally, people trying to lose weight struggle to resist their food cravings and to avoid certain foods like carbs or fats. This is what it means to "fight" with your body. To lose weight, you have to believe in your body. Believing in your body means you believe your body is your friend and ally, not your enemy. You must be willing to give up the mentality of fighting with your body, and start listening to it instead. This may seem counter-intuitive if your body is telling you to eat chips, candy, or cheesecake. As you study Ayurveda, you will come to know that the opposite is true. You will discover that examining your food cravings, and becoming aware of your body is the path to weight loss.
Instead of battling your food cravings, Ayurveda suggests you delve into them with curiosity, wonder, and a sense of adventure. Ayurveda shows you how to learn from your food cravings so that you can give your body what it truly needs to feel satisfied. Instead of fighting your cravings, you will build awareness of them. Building this awareness is what it means to listen to your body. Instead of trying to supersede your cravings or use willpower to overcome them, you will start to understand them in a whole new light. Then you discover you were craving the chips, candy and cheesecake for a reason. Once you know the reason, you discover the real craving behind the false one, and give your body true satisfaction. This is how following your unruly & pesky food cravings can lead you down a path to a healing.
Many people believe cravings come from the tongue. Instead, they come from nutritional deficiencies and weak organs that stimulate your taste buds. Sometimes these cravings are restorative, guiding you to the right foods your body needs. Other times, they are pathological. For example, people who feel tired crave candy and coffee. People who feel bored crave crunchy chips with salt. People with weak lungs crave cigarettes. People with weak livers crave alcohol. Once you know the reason you are craving these foods, you can help yourself in healthy ways. For example, if you are tired you can take a break. If you are bored you can reconnect with the joy of stillness. If your lungs are weak you can go for a walk. If your liver is weak you nourish it with coconut oil, or cleanse it with bitters. As you start examining your cravings, you will learn how your emotions, your body, and your hunger are inextricably linked. You will discover how you can manage some of the deep forces within that drive your decisions and behavior around food. Then, paradoxically, you find freedom from your food cravings by following them. NEXT STEPS
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About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language. STUDY AYURVEDA
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