In natural remedy of obesity, the chief concern should be the balanced selection of foods which supply the maximum necessary nutrients with the least number of calories. Exercise also forms an important part of the treatment. To begin with, patient should undertake a juice fast for seven to ten days. Juices of lemon, grape fruit, orange, pineapple, cabbage, celery, may be taken during this period. Long juice fast up to forty days can also be undertaken, but only under expert guidance and supervision. After the juice fast, the patient should spend a further four or five days on an all-fruit diet, taking three meals of fresh juicy fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and papaya. Subsequently, he may steadily embark upon a low-calorie well balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely (i) seeds, nuts and grains, (ii) vegetables and (iii) fruits, with emphasis on raw fruits, vegetables, and fresh juices.
The foods which should be radically curtailed or altogether avoided are high-fat foods such as butter, cheese, chocolates, ice-cream, fat meats, fried foods, and gravies. High carbohydrate foods like bread, candy, cake, cookies, cereal products, legumes, potatoes, honey, sugar, syrup and rich puddings beverages such as all-fountain drinks and alcoholic drinks should also be avoided. Fasting on honey -lime juice water is extremely beneficial in the cure of obesity without the loss of energy and appetite. In this mode of treatment, one spoon of fresh honey should be mixed with a juice of half a lime in a glass of lukewarm water and taken at on a regular basis.
Another effective therapy for obesity is a restricted lemon juice diet. On the first day the patient should be given nothing but ample of water. On the second day juice of three lemons mixed with equal amount of water should be given. One lemon should be subsequently increased each day until the juice of twelve lemons is consumed per day.
Then the number of lemons should be decreased in the same order until three lemons are taken in a day. The patient may feel weak and hungry on the first two days, but afterwards the condition will be stabilised by itself. Cabbage is considered to be an effective home remedy for obesity.
Along with dietetic treatment, the patient should adopt all other natural methods of reducing weight. Exercise is an important part of weight reduction plan. It helps to use up calories stored in body fat and relieves tension, besides toning up the muscles of the body. Certain yoga asana are highly beneficial. Not only do they break up or redistribute fatty deposits and help slimming, but they also strengthen the flabby areas. Sarvangasana, halasana, bhujangasana, salabhasana, dhanurasana, chakrasana, naukasana, ardha matsyendrasana, paschimottanasana, vajrasana, yogamudra and trikonasana are recommended. Yogic kriyas like kunjal and jalneti and pranayamas such as kapalbhati and bhastrika are also helpful in normalising body weight. The patient should also adopt measures which bring on excessive perspiration such as sauna baths, steam bath and heavy massage. They help to reduce weight. Above all, obese persons should make every effort to avoid negative motions such as anxiety, fear, hostility and insecurity and develop a positive outlook on life.
