Whether it’s for fitness, self-esteem, or personal well-being, weight loss is a healthy and acceptable goal.

However, a study on obesity-related perceptions from the ACTION-TO-HOPE program notes that the journey is rarely easy and straightforward. In a survey among people with obesity, only 23% lost significant weight despite several weight loss attempts.

And when it comes to exercise, according to the CDC only 24.2% of respondents have been reported to do the right combination of aerobics and resistance training.

Fortunately, there are ways forward, and yoga is one of them.

Individuals who practice yoga increased from 21 million in 2010 to 34.4 million in 2021, highlighting the potential of this exercise for boosting weight loss efforts.

Thus, we examine why some approaches don’t achieve and sustain weight loss and how yoga can transform these results positively.

Why some weight loss approaches don’t work

Most popular weight loss approaches fail because they don’t consider how people’s bodies react differently to changes in their diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle.

For instance, a calorie-restricted diet may help people lose weight at first. But the results aren’t sustained once the diet reaches its endpoint and one’s metabolism slows down in response to deprivation.

Another scientific explanation for why people only lose weight initially — or why they struggle to lose weight altogether — is the existence of set point weight.

The theory posits that every individual is predisposed to a certain weight range, so the body essentially works to defend itself against changes and ensure you don’t go below your set point.

Although biological factors like genetics and hormones may affect your set point, you can still shift your weight slowly yet steadily through lifestyle modifications. One of these is physical activity through yoga, whose weight loss benefits will be discussed below.

How yoga aids in healthy weight loss

Burns calories

Weight loss happens when you burn more calories than you take in.

Since yoga poses and movements engage the entire body, it’s an effective calorie-burning exercise when done correctly and consistently.

Gentle yoga must be combined with cardio workouts for longer-lasting weight loss results, but you can also opt for certain types of yoga that burn more calories through vigorous, fast-paced movements.

These include Ashtanga, which involves demanding poses done in sequence, and power yoga, which builds on the athleticism of Ashtanga with increased strength and flexibility.

Improves psychological well-being

Another aspect of successful, long-term weight loss is the ability to cope with the psychological factors of mood, stress, and emotions, as these can easily affect your adherence to a healthy diet and exercise.

In this case, a PLOS ONE study states that yoga aids weight loss by addressing not just physicality but also psychological well-being, mainly by relieving stress and improving mood, mindfulness, and self-awareness.

In the study, participants who lost ≥5% of their body weight were able to maintain it at 6 months by doing yoga.

This is because yoga can help you become more mindful of your lifestyle choices and prevent common weight loss barriers like binge eating and emotional eating.

Increases patience and motivation

Healthy weight loss takes time, so it’s important not to be impatient and rush your journey.

In this light, the practice of yoga equips you with the right skills and mindset to make healthy lifestyle changes and maintain them over time.

For instance, holding yoga poses for extended periods teaches you to be patient and be content with small yet consistent changes. Meanwhile, you can come out more motivated to work towards your health and wellness goals after letting go of your frustrations during yoga sessions.

Ultimately, yoga makes you more attuned with your body and mind so you’re more likely to continue adopting healthy habits even after you’ve reached your goal weight.

Now that you understand how yoga aids in losing weight and improving your overall health, you may be interested in incorporating this exercise into your daily routine.

Innergy Corporate Yoga is here to help you start your journey through various yoga programs, from corporate yoga for busy individuals to private yoga that enables you to better monitor your progress.