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Can you really lose weight without hitting the gym, following fancy diet charts, or counting every calorie? I used to ask myself this all the time.
My name is Neha Verma, and I come from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Like many of you, I had a busy job, long screen time, poor eating habits, and absolutely no time or energy for workouts. Over the years, the weight kept piling on. One day, the weighing scale showed 98 kg, and that number hit me hard.
That’s when I gave Ayurveda a chance. And trust me, it changed my life in ways I never imagined. In this blog, I’m sharing every part of my journey, i.e, how I started, what I ate, the herbal remedies I used, and the simple lifestyle changes that helped me lose 40 kgs in just 12 months.
What did I try before turning to Ayurveda?
I wasn’t someone who gave up easily. I tried almost everything you’ve probably heard of:
Apps for counting calories: I wrote down every biscuit, roti, and spoonful of dal. It made me feel bad about food instead of good about it.
Every kind of diet: I've tried every crash diet out there, from the keto diet to the GM diet to juice cleanses. I lost a few kilos quickly, but they all came back within a month. Sometimes even more weight gain.
Working out: I signed up for gym memberships more than once, but after two weeks of forcing myself to go, I just couldn't do it anymore. I quit every time because I was stressed at work, and my muscles hurt.
Intermittent fasting: I did intermittent fasting with a 16:8 window, but I didn't know if it was good for my body or not. It made me feel weak, tired, and angry.
I lost 3-4 kilos and then gained 5 back later. And every time I failed, I lost more and more motivation.
The side effects were also serious:
- I worried every day about losing my hair.
- I felt bad after every meal because of acidity and bloating.
- My work life was harder because I had low energy and mood swings.
I started to think that maybe this was just how life would be for me: tired, overweight, and always disappointed.
How did I discover Ayurveda for weight loss?
The turning point came from a casual conversation with my cousin during a family get-together. She looked healthier and more energetic than I had seen her in years. When I asked what she was doing, she simply said, “Ayurveda changed everything for me.”
Honestly, I was sceptical. I thought Ayurveda was only for joint pain, old people, or chronic illness. I never imagined it could help with weight loss, at least not without taking forever.
But something about her story stayed with me. That evening, I searched online for certified Ayurvedic doctors and booked a teleconsultation with Jiva Ayurveda. I thought, why not try something different this time?
The doctor didn't just ask about my diet or weight during the first call. He wanted to know about my digestion, sleep, cravings, feelings, and even my period. It felt like someone was finally seeing me as a whole person and not just a number on the scale.
The doctor told me that my body type (prakriti) was Kapha dominant after the full assessment. That made a lot of sense. People with Kapha types tend to gain weight easily, especially when their digestion is slow and they can't move around much.
He also told me that I wasn't weak or lazy, which is why I gained weight. It happened because my body and mind weren't in balance. Ayurveda could help bring that balance back, not by punishing them, but by giving them gentle, regular care.
That day, I had a little bit of hope. Not the kind that comes after losing a kilo on the scale, but the kind that says, "Maybe this time will be different."
And believe me, it really was.
What Ayurvedic changes did I make in my daily routine?
The best part about Ayurveda is that it doesn’t force you to turn your life upside down. You don’t need to wake up at 4 AM or eat something fancy every day. You just need to bring small, mindful changes into your routine and stick to them. That’s exactly what I did.
I began by fixing my wake-up time. Instead of waking up at 8 or 9 AM, I started rising around 6:30 AM. The idea was to match the body’s natural clock, which Ayurveda says is very important.
My mornings started with simple rituals:
- I scraped my tongue to remove toxins collected overnight.
- I drank a glass of warm water with lemon and a pinch of dry ginger to boost my digestion.
- I took a short walk in my garden to breathe in fresh air and calm my mind.
These changes may seem small, but they made a big difference in how I felt all day.
My Jiva Ayurveda doctor told me to drink jeera-ajwain-saunf tea after meals to help with digestion and reduce bloating. And before bed, I drank warm water with Triphala powder. It helped my metabolism and kept my gut clean.
I also followed something called Dinacharya, which is an Ayurvedic daily routine. It helped me get my day back on track by giving me a set time to sleep, eat, and a break between dinner and bed.
What was my Ayurvedic diet for weight loss like?
I didn’t starve myself or cut out entire food groups. Ayurveda helped me understand my body and eat accordingly. Here’s how my diet slowly changed:
- I ate warm, fresh, and light food. This mostly included khichdi, soups, moong dal, sabzi with millet or rice.
- Lunch became my biggest meal of the day because that's when your digestive fire (Agni) is at its strongest. Breakfast and dinner were not very filling.
- I stopped eating cold and stale food completely, and I ate fewer fried and sugary foods.
- I stayed away from curd at night because it makes Kapha stronger and can slow down digestion.
- I started eating food that was in season and grown in my area, as well as food that was fresh and available.
- I stuck to the rule of eating dinner early, usually by 7:30 PM, and I didn't snack after that.
- I also learnt how to eat slowly without looking at my phone or watching TV. I really started to like food again, without feeling bad about it.
Some herbal help was also very important. My doctor suggested:
- Guggul helps the body burn fat.
- Triphala for detoxing and digestion.
- Punarnava helps with bloating and water retention.
They suggested all the herbs based on my body type, so they worked well without making me weak or giving me any side effects.
Did I follow any Ayurvedic treatments or therapies?
Yes, I did, but nothing too hard or time-consuming.
I did a simple Panchakarma therapy under my doctor’s guidance every six months. My doctor told me to try two different treatments:
Virechana - a herbal way to clean out the digestive system of toxins.
Udwartana, or dry powder massage, can help break down fat cells and get blood flowing better.
I had done both at my local Jiva Ayurvedic clinic, and I took a few days off work to relax while they were happening. I felt very fresh and clear-headed afterward.
And little by little, without any pressure, I was becoming someone I never thought I could be: lighter, stronger, and really happy in my body.
Final Words
Losing 40 kilos felt like an impossible dream once. But today, it’s my reality, and it didn’t happen through shortcuts or strict rules. It happened when I stopped fighting my body and started understanding it. Ayurveda didn’t just help me lose weight; rather, it gave me back my energy, confidence, and peace of mind.
If you've been feeling stuck, tired, or let down by every new diet or fitness trend, it might be time to try something new. You don't have to change everything about your life. Make one small change: change your routine, eat mindfully, move around a little, and pay attention to what your body is saying.
Ayurveda works in a gentle but strong way. And the best part? It fits perfectly into your daily life.
FAQs
1. Can Ayurveda help with cravings and emotional eating?
Yes, it can. Ayurveda helps your mind and digestion work better together, which naturally lowers your cravings. You can really control emotional eating by drinking herbal teas, getting enough sleep, and finding ways to relax.
2. Is it okay to practise Ayurveda while you work full-time?
Yes. Ayurveda works with your way of life. Even if you have a lot of work to do, you can still make small changes like setting regular meal times, drinking herbal tea, and going for short walks.
3. Do I have to go to an Ayurvedic hospital or clinic?
Not all the time. You can start by talking to Jiva-certified doctors online (via phone or video call). You can make simple changes, like changing your diet, your routine, or getting herbal support, all from the comfort of your own home.
4. Can Ayurveda help me even if I have PCOS or thyroid issues?
Yes. Ayurveda looks at the main reason why you're not feeling well. Many people see their weight and hormone levels improve over time when they use the right herbs and live a healthy life.
5. How can I tell which Ayurvedic herbs are good for me?
Don't make any guesses. Before suggesting any herbs or treatments, always talk to a Jiva-certified Ayurvedic doctor who will look at your body type (prakriti) and current health.
