A BMI (body mass index) that ranges between 18.5 and 25 is considered ideal. However, if your BMI crosses 30, you are considered obese. Obesity is, in fact, an excessive accumulation of fat in the body, which can have long term consequences if not addressed at the right time. Obesity is a classic lifestyle disorder, and is more common in Western countries, although it is prevalent the world over. Obesity severely increases your risk of developing diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, gall bladder disorders, and so on.
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Here’s how you can calculate your BMI:
BMI = [weight in pounds / (height in inches x height in inches)] x 703
or,
BMI = [weight in kilograms / (height in meters x height in meters)]
Suggested read: Top 15 reasons you’re NOT losing weight
Causes of obesity
There are many causes for obesity, chief among them being attributed to poor lifestyle choices:
- Consuming processed foods high in fat
- Large portion sizes of meals
- Overeating
- Excessive drinking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Lack of physical activity
- Lack of sleep
- Genetics
Home remedies for weight loss
Not only do you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and exercise to combat obesity, you also can use some easy natural home remedies for weight loss that have the power to affect change. Let’s take a look:
1. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar in its raw, unfiltered version is a commonly used home remedy to combat weight gain. It is known to help breakdown fat, thus helping prevent accumulation of body fat.
Remedies
- Stir in 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink it in the morning every day, preferably before meals.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into a glass of water. Drink once this every day.
Pro tip: A maximum of 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar is the limit in a day, not more than that. If you do exceed this amount, it may lower your blood potassium levels over time, causing your bone mineral density to reduce.
2. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is an excellent home remedy when it comes to fighting obesity because it has the power to stimulate your metabolism, while also increasing energy consumption and mobilizing unused fat in the body. Aloe vera is rich in natural collagen proteins, that are known to make the body work harder to absorb the proteins. Plus, it detoxifies your digestive system.
Remedy
- Slice open two fresh aloe vera leaves and squeeze out the gel into a clean bowl. Put it in a blender with 1 cup of citrus juice (orange or grapefruit) or even water. Blend it well and drink it every day for at least a month to see visible results.
3. Bottle gourd
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Bottle gourd is rich in dietary fiber that has the potential to make you feel fuller for longer and also curb your appetite. Plus, the high water content in it and the many vital nutrients it contains, make it a superb natural remedy is weight loss.
Remedy
- Make bottle gourd juice and store in the refrigerator. Whenever you get the urge to snack, stir in a dash of lemon juice to a glass of chilled bottle gourd juice and drink it.
4. Cabbage
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Cabbage has tartaric acid in it, which helps prevent the conversion of carbohydrates and sugar into fat. It is rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that is useful for your body. Plus, cabbage is a low-calorie, high-fiber, high-water vegetable, all of which makes it ideal as a health food. It also contains phytochemicals because it’s a part of the cruciferous family of vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
Remedy
- Cabbage can be incorporated into your diet through easy salads and soups.
5. Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper contains a compound called capsaicin, which is known to stimulate your body to burn fat while simultaneously increasing energy expenditure. Further, it also stimulates digestion and suppresses excess appetite caused by malabsorption of nutrients in the body.
Remedies
- In a mug, put a dash of cayenne pepper and pour hot water into it. Squeeze half a lemon into this and stir well. Drink this ‘tea’ every day for at least a month. Starting with a mere dash of cayenne pepper, increase it gradually to at least 1 teaspoon.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons each of maple syrup and lemon juice into a glass of water and stir in a dash of cayenne pepper into it. Drink this every day for best results.
- A more natural way of ingesting cayenne pepper is to use it and other spices like black pepper, mustard seeds, and ginger in cooking.
Suggested read: Top 10 WORST foods that hinder weight loss
6. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon has been known to help manage blood sugar levels, which is essential while combating obesity. It also helps lower oxidative stress associated with metabolic syndrome.
Remedy
- To a glass of boiling water, add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and close it. Let the tea steep for 15 minutes before straining it. Drink this tea at least once or twice every day.
Pro tip: Drink this remedy on an empty stomach – once in the morning and once before going to bed.
7. Curry leaves
Curry leaves contain mahanimbine, which is an alkaloid that has lipid-lowering and anti-fattening properties, thus helping lower body weight, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Remedies
- Eat at least 8-10 fresh curry leaves every day in the mornings.
- Another easy option is to drink curry leaves juice with a dash of honey to make it more palatable.
8. Fennel
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Fennel seeds have diuretic properties that make it an ideal remedy for weight loss. In essence, diuretic property means reducing the water retention in the body. However, fennel seeds do not help in long term weight loss.
Remedies
- Add half a teaspoon of fennel powder into a cup of boiling water to make fennel tea. Drink this tea 15 minutes before each meal.
- Dry roast and grind 2 tablespoons of fennel seeds. Sieve this powder to remove any impurities. Take half a teaspoon of this powder and ingest it with warm water, at least Twice every day. This remedy will give you relief from indigestion, constipation, and even flatulence.
9. Ginger
Ginger is high in essential dietary fibers and vital minerals, all of which aid in it being an excellent natural remedy for weight loss.
Remedies
- Drink ginger tea every day. Add a splash of honey to make it more palatable, instead of using sugar.
- Grate an inch of ginger and mix in some lemon juice and salt to it. Eat this at least 2-3 times a day for positive results.
10. Green tea
Green tea contains EGCG, a compound that helps slow down weight gain by limiting fat absorption and increasing the body’s ability to utilize fat. Green tea is also a rich source of vitamin C, zinc, selenium, chromium, and carotenoids, all of which are essential for weight loss.
Remedy
- Drink about 3-4 cups of green tea every day for positive results. Be sure not to add sugar to it; instead, you can use honey as a natural sweetener.
Pro tip: Ginger tea and cayenne pepper can also be used along with green tea.
11. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice is one of the best and most commonly used natural home remedies for weight loss. It aids in digestion and detoxification of the body. While digestion is essential for weight loss since it helps the body absorb the essential nutrients necessary to burn fat, detoxification helps remove toxins that have the potential to slow down your metabolism.
Remedies
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey, half a teaspoon of black pepper powder, and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to a glass of water and mix well. Drink this concoction every morning on an empty stomach for at least three months to see visible results.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into 1 cup of warm water, and drink this every day to see positive results.
Suggested read: 8 compelling reasons why you just can’t seem to lose weight
12. Tomatoes
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Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like choline, folates, manganese, and magnesium, that are all excellent for your health. Juicy red tomatoes are also rich in antioxidants that help protect against cancers. Further, they contain certain compounds that tend to alter the hormone levels that have an impact on your appetite.
Remedies
- Eat a couple of whole tomatoes each morning on an empty stomach.
- Incorporate tomatoes in your daily meals through soups, salads, and juices.
These are all the natural home remedies for weight loss. However, these can only aid in your weight loss journey, because you need to supplement these with an active lifestyle that contains a balanced diet and a strict exercise regimen. Remember, nothing, I repeat, NOTHING can beat hard work put into reducing your weight and being the fittest version of yourself. Good luck!
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