Integrative approach to weight loss through Yogasana and diet – A case report

Overweight (obesity) is a chronic condition associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This case study describes the success of a 26-year-old female doctor from Maharashtra who was able to significantly reduce her weight through an integrative approach consisting of Yogasana, intermittent fasting and diet correction.

Method

The intervention lasted 10 months and included the following components:

Yoga therapy:

45-minute yoga sessions, 6 days per week.

Exercises for muscle strengthening, stretching and flexibility, including Ashtanga Suryanamaskar, forward and backward bends, core training and plank exercises.

Specific routines for each day of the week focusing on different muscle groups.

Intermittent fasting (16:8):

Fasting time: 16 hours from 7:00 pm to 11:00 am the next day.

Eating time: 8 hours from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, consisting of three meals and a snack.

One fasting day per week on which only one large meal was allowed in the evening.

Diet plan:

Calorie-restricted diet plan, based on a daily calorie requirement of 1775 kcal.

Target calorie intake: 1400 kcal per day to achieve a calorie deficit of 375 kcal.

Focus on protein and fiber-rich foods, reduce refined sugar and processed foods.

Use of the Healthymefy app to track daily calorie intake.

Results

1. Physical parameters:

Weight: reduction of 12.9 kg (from 71 kg to 58.1 kg), 18.17% weight loss.

BMI: 17.96% reduction (from 28.4 kg/m² to 23.3 kg/m²).

Waist-hip ratio: improvement of 9.19% (from 0.86 to 0.781).

Neck circumference: reduction of 4.67% (from 15 inches to 14.3 inches).

Thigh circumference: decrease of 11.51% (from 24.5 inches to 21.68 inches).

2. Metabolic parameters:

HbA1c: decrease of 15.38% (from 5.2% to 4.4%), significant improvement in glycemic control.

3. Subjective parameters:

Improved quality of life: increased energy levels and greater satisfaction with body image.

Reduced stress and increased motivation, especially through yoga and regular exercise.

4. Patient satisfaction:

The patient reported significant improvements in quality of life, self-esteem and stress management.

She found the combination of yoga, fasting and diet to be practical and sustainable.

The case study shows that a holistic approach consisting of yoga, intermittent fasting and dietary changes is an effective and sustainable strategy for weight loss. The approach not only led to a significant reduction in weight and body fat, but also improved metabolic parameters and quality of life. The results show that traditional Ayurvedic principles in combination with modern nutritional concepts offer effective options for the treatment of obesity.