
Daily weighing reduces you to a number. When you spend time focusing on external numbers on the scale or BMI chart, you lose the chance to engage with your body and learn from your physical sensations. Instead, the number becomes more important than...
Body dysmorphia is when you believe you are less attractive looking than you actually are. A classic example is an anorexic who believes they are overweight. More subtle examples include preoccupation with some trivial defect, such as acne.
The first step in alleviating body shame is to develop a gentler and more loving relationship with your body. Your body is an important part of your identity in life and should be treated with the care and respect that you would show a spouse or best...
You are your own gift in the world, which is hard to see when consumed by self-loathing. Feelings of self-disgust and loathing can blind you from your own unique gifts and keep you from declaring your authentic identity. It is easy to blame the size or...
Weight often becomes the object of our attention when we are feeling anxiety, uncertainty about the future, or hopelessness. Self-inquiry is thus a useful strategy in addressing panic about size and weight. When did you first notice yourself panicking...
Many people with heartier constitutions or excess weight may feel silenced or ashamed because of their weight as a result of cultural or family pressure. You might feel afraid or embarrassed to eat in public, believing that a heavier person is not...
Keeping clothes that no longer fit you or are too small is often a form of insidious self-punishment. Too small or too tight clothes serve as reminders of your past and current weight and can inspire feelings of shame and guilt, which are prime...
DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat a medical condition. It is not a substitute for medical care. Please check with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.
On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalanced biocharacteristics. By eating an optimal diet that balances your biocharacteristics, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’