Gaiam Influencer Cassie Bjork- This is my Yoga
by: Cassie Bjork
I use yoga to maintain my weight and my sanity, but it wasn’t always like this.
Yoga used to be at the bottom of my priority list, just after cleaning the bathroom. I subscribed to the flawed “calories in/calories out” mindset for weight loss, and since yoga was low on the “calories burned chart,” it would rarely make the cut.
What happened to my body floored me.
When I was exercising intensely in an attempt to LOSE weight, I was actually GAINING weight! And not a few pounds, but twenty. I learned that what was happening was the exercise was causing inflammation—something we don’t hear about very often from weight loss experts or the media. Too much exercise can cause inflammation in your body, and cause you to pack on the pounds. That’s exactly what was happening to me. I was working out daily, and watching as the pounds packed on my body. I was beyond perplexed, and didn’t understand why.
I thought I had to burn calories for weight loss, yet discovered that’s an old theory. The most current scientific data proves that this doesn’t even work, as I was seeing in my own body. The reality is that even though I was torching calories left and right, I was gaining weight instead of losing.
Essentially, inflammation drains your metabolism because your body is focused on healing the damaging inflammation. It can also increase your body’s production of cortisol—your stress hormone. This sets you up for weight gain because it raises blood sugar levels and triggers the release of insulin, which is your fat-storing hormone. At the time I didn’t know it, but this is why it’s super important to prioritize rejuvenating workouts like yoga. These help you reduce your stress levels AND make you a more balanced human being, all of which help you lose weight.
I’ve found that for me to maintain my body, the name of the game is balance, and that includes making yoga a priority. Yoga has helped lean out my body and reduce my stress by helping to reduce inflammation. That’s why these days, I constantly choose yoga for the rejuvenation and recovery. It has been great for my waistline, and also for stress management and peace of mind. This practice also helps me to be more mindful, which cuts out “stress eating” —also a mega benefit.
My yoga is how I maintain my figure, focus and sanity. It helps me stay grounded, and along with my eating and supplement regimen, it keeps the pounds off my body. If you're like me and are putting all of your energy into intense cardio workouts, try balancing them with yoga and see the results for yourself!
Dietitian Cassie a globally recognized industry leader in weight loss, highly sought-after speaker, and #1 International Best Selling Author. Virtually every major media outlet—including CBS, ABC, WCCO, FOX News, CNN, TIME, Parade, Cosmopolitan, SELF, SHAPE, Women’s Health, Men’s Fitness and The Huffington Post—has covered Cassie debunking dieting lies and spreading the truth about the food you eat. Follow her nutrition, weight loss tips and lifestyle tips at @dietitiancassie.
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