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Looking in the mirror with fear and disappointment is a shared feeling by many struggling to sustain weight loss. According to Ayurveda, a poor self-image sprouting from weight problems is intertwined with one's doshas (body constitution) and a poorly managed daily routine, or dinacharya.

Ananda recently worked with a former triathlete struggling with weight loss. He was now a businessman in his early 40s keen to recapture the glory of his past athletic prowess. Detailing a life marked by haste, this pitta-kapha personality type shared his frustrations with our Ayurvedic physicians, reporting episodes of bloating, a history of gastroenteritis, and pain in knees from a meniscal repair surgery. Standing tall at 190 cms and 100 kilograms, the guest was diagnosed with over-weight or sthoulya. With visceral fat level at 8, 17% fat and a BMI of 27.7, he arrived for a 2-week Weight Management programme as a last resort to his multiple failed attempts to reduce weight.

The Wellness Journey: Knowing yourself ‘around the day’

With no family history of disorders, personal addictions, or significant other health issues, other than a few food intolerances, the course of clinical investigation for Ayurveda shifted to what’s happening with him ‘around the day?’

Circa diem or circadian rhythm, meaning ‘around the day’ regulates the internal cycle of the body every 24-hours. The physiologists trace its origins to the Ayurvedic concept of dinacharya which combines 'dina' (day) and 'charya' (activity). The ancient principle conveys that any process arising within an organism responds to its environment and vice versa. A faulty dinacharya disrupts normal metabolic processes and contributes to weight fluctuations. This inconsistency can trigger a cascade of negative health effects, including hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders and a poor self-image.

His normal routine getting ready for work each morning, was a cup of coffee at breakfast and grabbing a working lunch to ‘make it quick’. Feeling a lack of control over his life during the working hours, he would try to get some well-deserved ‘me-time’ after sunset. Procrastinating on sleep was an obvious way to fulfilling this need for leisure. He loved his food, looked forward to fixing a big dinner for himself and his family. “It’s the meal I live for”, he confessed. With the expected consequence of sleeping as late as possible each day, a morning routine was certainly out of question.

Due to the prevalent belief that one equates to losing out on fun in favour of a healthy lifestyle, the critical importance of honouring a dinacharya is often overlooked by the mind. At this point, Ayurveda with its personalised approach steps in with an edge over conventional nutrition and health tips. The Ayurvedic tradition recognizes all life forms as Doshas that represent a unique combination of the five elements. Doshas manifest as very distinct physical, emotional, and mental characteristics in each of us. There are set of expansive rules listed for each personality type. These include wake-up and bedtime, consumption of food, nature of exercise, personal hygiene, daily habits and much more. These preferences are further customised as per the current state of mind, age, social life, cultural conditioning, climatic conditions, family history and so on.

Acknowledging the guest’s choices, the physicians at Ananda painstakingly explained the detrimental cycle of a poor dinacharya on ones’ body, mind and spirit and carved a realistic treatment and lifestyle plan for the sustenance of his weight loss. The easily bored Pitta personality type dominated by the element of fire, requires a calming yet engaging routine. A fitness routine at the gym, kunjal kriya (emesis), asana (yogic physical postures) and hydrotherapy felt apt to the guest’s athletic nature. To avoid strain, soothing Ayurveda therapies like abhyanga and choornaswedana, a bundle massage, Pranayama (breathing exercises) and yoga nidra were a start to his 14-day journey. For a pitta, who loves stimulation through food, the guilt associated with compulsive eating can exacerbate poor self-image and weight problems reinforcing the cycle of emotional distress. Hence a diet plan was designed to avoid experiencing starvation while satiating his palate.

By day 6 the body reflected symptoms of toxin saturation, which meant the collected toxins or ama was ready to flush out. Medically administered enemas or basti, virechana and other Panchkarma therapies continued till the second week of his stay, alongside Ayurvedic treatments like Udwarthana, a stimulating dry powder massage for weight loss. The last phase of the program involved nourishing the senses through pacifying food and therapies. This is important to induce a sense of security which helps in the sustenance of the recommended Dinacharya.

The End Result: The Crucial Role of Dinacharya

The guest lost 7 kilograms by at the end of the program. His visceral fat levels reduced by 25%, with a 3% reduction in fat and a BMI reducing by 7% to 25.8. He was advised a hot infusion of fennel and cumin alongside natural herbs before and after meals to maintain metabolism. To sustain the weight loss, the physicians advised that he continue following the dinacharya till the body feels familiar and secure with this new way of life.

There is a well-known relationship between excessive weight and optimal functioning of internal systems, as also the connection between self-image and weight issues. Fostering healthy body-image and sustainable weight loss requires realistic goal setting, and a supportive environment that celebrates individuality.

Recognizing your dosha to know your ideal dinacharya is crucial for sustainable change. Adopting dinacharya cultivates discipline and mindfulness. The routine not only aids in weight management but also enhances mental clarity, emotional stability and improved self-esteem.