Lose Weight Fast in 2024 with These 5 Japanese Habits
In any weight loss journey, discipline is the most significant component that can help you achieve your weight loss goal. People get very motivated at the start of that journey but motivation is short lived and fizzes out eventually. People who complete their journey are the ones who learn to discipline themselves. Having those extra kilos is a big problem and without discipline there is no way you can get rid of that extra baggage. My journey of weight loss too began with motivation that lasted for about two years. Although I did achieve results, getting from 92 kgs to about 71 kgs but it became evident that I was burnt out. Luckily, I realized that if I was going to achieve my goal the only way forward was through discipline. Trying to find best ways to discipline myself, I came across the Japanese way and was impressed with what I found. I learnt some very powerful lessons to help me continue my weight loss journey. In this article I explore how the Japanese approach to discipline, particularly through concepts like Kaizen, Ikigai, and Shokunin, has provided me a roadmap for sustainable weight loss.
The Power of Kaizen: Small Steps, Big Changes
Kaizen is a Japanese term that translates to "continuous
improvement." In terms of weight
loss, this concept encourages us to focus on making small, manageable changes
that eventually add up to significant results over time. So, you make micro adjustments rather than one
radical change in your lifestyle. For me
it started with eating an early dinner. So
dinner time got changed from 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This meant I could fast for 16 hours. It made me feel light and I could get up
early without an alarm clock. My sleep
improved. Another important micro change
I made was to eat more protein than carbohydrate. So, more pulses with rice, more soya, eggs
etc. This also helped me manage my
weight and hunger pangs. If I was not
losing then I was not gaining any either.
By embracing Kaizen, I shifted
my focus from the daunting task of exercising to lose weight to the more
achievable goal of making micro adjustments and improvements every day. This mindset helped me from getting burnt out and
kept me motivated to celebrate these small victories.
Finding
Your Ikigai: The Intersection of Passion and Purpose
Ikigai is another profound concept in Japanese culture. It can be translated as "purpose in life
or the reason for being alive." It
is the sweet spot where what you love, what you’re good at, what the world
needs, and what you can be paid for all intersect.
My Ikigai has been to lose weight, become a healthier individual, help
other people lose weight and be my own role model for my blog. So, now my purpose in life is clear and so I keep
working on my daily activities of eating right, proper exercise, hydration, etc. Similarly you can find your Ikigai by contemplating what drives you.
Is it the desire to live a longer,
healthier life or is it the aspiration to feel more confident and energetic? Or perhaps the goal of reaching a level of
fitness that would help you to pursue a passion, like hiking or running
marathons? If you can identify your Ikigai
in terms of weight loss then this can give you a source of motivation that never
fizzes out and you would never need to anxiously look at the weighing scale
again.
Embracing
the Shokunin Spirit: Mastery Through Dedication
The
Role of Mindfulness: Practicing Zanshin in Daily Life
Zanshin is a term from Japanese martial arts that means relaxed awareness.
It refers to a state of heightened focus
even when one is resting. It is the
unwavering focus of the archer who sees nothing but the mark and everything
else is obfuscated and yet he is completely relaxed. One can think of it as mindfulness.
When you are mindful, you make
better choices. You are aware that the
sweets or junk food on the table is not good for you, that drinking that bottle
of water would do you good, or that it is important that you move your body
today and maybe rest on some other days.
With Zanshin you become more attuned
to your body’s signals and adjust your actions in such a way to align them with
your weight loss goals.
So, mindful eating helps you relish your
food, recognize when you are no longer hungry and avoid overeating. Similarly, mindfulness while doing exercises
like yoga or running makes them more enjoyable.
Cultivating
a Supportive Environment: The Importance of Wa
In Japanese culture, Wa
refers to living in harmony with others and creating a balance in relationships
and environments. I realized that my Wa
is about creating an environment that supports my goals. This includes surrounding myself with
like-minded individuals who encourage my progress, or organizing my living
space in a way that minimizes distractions and temptations. So, most of my friends are into fitness who go
to the gym, run, do yoga, play sports, etc.
My food choices are healthy.
Treats are rare and are limited to birthdays and anniversaries.
A harmonious environment reduces
stress and helps you stay focused on your goals, making it easier to maintain
discipline in the long term.
Conclusion:
The Path to Lasting Change
