Weight loss which works
diets,alternative health,healthy eating
Woman relaxing: top 10 alternative weight loss therapies
By Jacqui Day
Tried every diet going and still can\'t lose weight? Perhaps it\'s time to consider the alternative. We explore ten of the best alternative therapies to help you slip into your skinny jeans.
1. Pinpoint the problem with acupuncture
diets,alternative health,healthy eating
acupuncture
Like most alternative therapies, acupuncture works by treating the body as a whole. During a session, the therapist will begin by finding out how much energy is flowing through your body and how that affects the way you process food. If, for example, your metabolism and digestion are a little sluggish, the therapist will insert tiny needles into specific points relating to the energy meridians of your body to either clear blockages or give it a boost. Acupuncture can also be great for regulating hormonal activity, which helps to banish those pesky food cravings. To find a qualified practitioner near you, go to acupuncture.org.uk
2. Lighten the load with Reiki
diets,alternative health,healthy eating,reiki
Reiki
Reiki is a really interesting therapy because it works on an emotional level. Reiki practitioners believe that your emotional wellbeing is physically reflected in your body, so when you hang on to old emotions likes anger or guilt, you physically store them as excess weight. A Reiki session is extremely relaxing - you will lie on a couch while the practitioner gently lays her hands on your body, sending energy to any areas that need to be healed. It\'s quite a spiritual experience and requires an open mind, but many people swear by Reiki to take a weight off the mind and the body.
Visit reikifed.co.uk for more information.
3. Support your slimming with aromatherapy
diets,alternative health,healthy eating
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy doesn\'t claim to offer slimmers a miracle cure, but it can support your diet and exercise regime and help you stay on the right track. Grapefruit oil is said to be particularly good, helping you to stay energized during those work-outs where you\'d much rather be curled up in front of the TV. Try dabbing a few drops onto your gym kit. Alternatively you can use it around the home, in a burner or at bath time, as it\'s supposed to be excellent for minimising food cravings. Essential oils are available widely on the high-street from health food shops and chemists.
4. Three, two, one... You\'re a size eight
diets,alternative health,healthy eating
Hypnosis
Okay, so hypnotherapy isn\'t quite that simple, but many dieters use it to help them break bad eating habits and to change their relationship with food. You can either visit a therapist at their practice or listen to a CD at home. Hypnotherapy works by putting you into a deep state of relaxation (at no time are you asleep or in any way unconscious) where you can access and influence deeper parts of the brain.
Simply put, it helps you reprogram your own thinking to crave healthy foods instead of fattening, calorific ones. If you do visit a therapist, make sure you find a reputable, qualified one. A good starting point is hypnotherapistregister.com
5. Meditation - the Zen diet
diets,alternative health,healthy eating
Meditate
Meditation isn\'t just for hemp loving hippies. In fact it\'s rather glam. Hollywood A-listers such as Heather Graham and Jessica Alba are said to be huge fans of meditation and reputedly swear by it to maintain their slim and gorgeous looks. Meditation is proven to improve digestion and metabolism, but it\'s also a great way to stay relaxed and chilled out - a must for dieters because it\'s often during times of stress or emotional upset that we reach for sugary treats or a glass of vino. There isn\'t a governing body that regulates the teaching of meditation in the UK, but if you fancy learning, ask at your local yoga centre as they\'ll probably know someone who can help.
6. Think thin, become thin
diets,alternative health,healthy eating
Think thin
You may have heard about ‘the law of attraction\'. Followers believe that we are all bound by powerful universal laws and energies, and that in many cases we can attract whatever we want into our lives simply by thinking about it in a certain way. Money And The Law Of Attraction is a great book by Jerry and Esther Hicks (Hay House, £9.99) which includes a section describing how you can harness the law of attraction to get the body you\'ve always dreamed of. It works on the principle of visualisation - you learn to see yourself as svelte and gorgeous until it becomes a reality. It might sound far-fetched, but millions of slim, satisfied readers suggest there may be something in it.
Reflexology -- it\'s all in the feet
diets,alternative health,healthy eating,reflexology
Reflexology
Reflexology practitioners believe that certain parts of the feet correspond to specific parts of the body and that a specialised foot massage can bring about exceptional health benefits. It is widely used to restore the body\'s natural equilibrium, and is reputed to be able to assist with weight loss by energising the endocrine glands to balance hormonal activity and in turn normalise appetite. Massaging the centre and the base of the big toe is said to be particularly good for anyone hoping to drop a dress size. Why not try it at home? Or to find a qualified practitioner log onto The Association Of Reflexology\'s website, www.aor.org.uk
How homeopathy helps
diets,alternative health,healthy eating
Homeopathy
Possibly one of the biggest and best known branches of alternative therapies, homeopathy is particularly useful if you think your weight problems may be linked to low self-esteem. You will visit a practitioner who will spend time getting to know you and learning about your lifestyle. You will then be prescribed a course of tiny pills that are non-addictive and totally harmless. The treatment can have immediate results with you feeling more confident, positive and upbeat within days, and also much less reliant on food. To find a qualified homeopath visit www.trusthomeopathy.org. Or ask your doctor about it - homeopathy is sometimes available through the NHS.
Dieting with Ayurveda
diets,alternative health,healthy eating
Yoga
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian therapy that uses herbs, minerals, diet and yoga to help you shed the excess pounds. The treatment is adjusted according to your dosha - your specific personality and constitutional type. Ayurvedic practitioners believe your dosha has a strong influence over the way you feel about food, and also how your body processes it. Depending on your dosha, some foods will help you lose weight and others will make it hard work.
To find a list of registered Ayurvedic practitioners in the UK, go to www.britayurpractitioners.com. Another good site is www.pukkaherbs.com where you can identify your own dosha and discover which foods and herbs are best for you.
If all else fails - Kinesiology
diets,alternative health,healthy eating
Massage
Kinesiology is a modern, holistic practice that works on mind, body and soul to correct physical imbalances. A treatment plan may include a combination of nutritional supplements, massage, stress-release techniques and even the use of magnets - all of which are designed to improve the way energy flows around your body. Kinesiology is said to be particularly good at revealing underlying health problems that are difficult to find by any other means. So if you\'ve tried lots of other techniques but still struggle with your weight, it might be worth giving kinesiology a go. Find your nearest practitioner at www.kinesiologyfederation.co.uk.
