Are you caught in the dieting syndrome?
A slender figure is the pursuit of women who are beauty conscious; especially professionals who try to stay in shape in order to work long hours in the workplace. Weight loss has become a compulsory path for many women. “Weight loss fever” has taken the world by storm with no signs of slowing down. Weight loss drugs, weight loss food, and weight loss equipment have sprung up worldwide.
However, many popular weight loss programs (e.g. weight loss drugs, liposuction, hunger therapy, etc.) are not scientifically proven. Some are even harmful and result in the “dieting syndrome”:
Eating disorders: Sharp drop in appetite. Disgusted at the sight of food. Stomachache, abdominal distension, vomiting after eating just a small amount of food. Over time, other symptoms of anorexia nervosa appear, such as being significantly underweight, thinning or loss of hair, physical deterioration, pale complexion, palpitations, listlessness, etc.
Depression: A long-term fear of food, suppressed appetite, restricted food intake, inferiority in large crowds, tendency to isolate; all of which may lead to acute depression over time.
It’s not just about slimming down
Most women want to be slim, and often ask: Why are there so many slim beauties in the world and I’m not one of them? As a result, more and more women join the ranks of dieting.
Some practiced prostration initially to lose weight but found that it also brought surprising by-products: health and happiness!
Bonnie: Weight loss, detoxification, and nourishment
Bonnie is 36 years old with a height of 162 cm and used to weigh 71 kg. In order to lose weight, Bonnie struggled for several years trying almost every method: weight loss pills, liposuction, and hunger therapy. Sometimes she’d lose weight, but it bounced back easily. Still obese, she found that her health was declining, and often suffered headaches, congestion, and colds.
In December 2011, Bonnie’s cousin gave her a set of books and CDs called “Prostration: A Simple Way to a Better Life” and encouraged her to do prostration at home. Her cousin said, “Try it! Many people have found it effective to lose weight and renew health!”
This set of CDs was beautifully shot. Looking at the video, Bonnie, who always likes to try something new, laid a yoga mat on the floor and started prostration by following the video’s instructions. Although the music was soothing and the models relaxed, Bonnie was neither pleased nor relaxed when trying it the first time. Every time she lowered her body, her flabby abdomen hit the floor and made a “puff” sound; as if to remind her, “Hey, you are too fat!” After only 10 sets, Bonnie was already sweating and panting, and her stomach muscles ached.
Bonnie leaned on the sofa and called her cousin. “I can’t do it, it’s too hard!”
Her cousin smiled at the other end of the phone. “Bonnie, even though it’s a bit hard, just do it half an hour a day and you’ll see results. Think about it, what can you do in half an hour? Usually you’d go shopping for clothes and go to beauty salons and spend more than half an hour on the road.”
“It’s been a long time since I went shopping for clothes!” Bonnie muttered. Few boutiques carried clothes in Bonnie’s size.
“Bonnie, the prostration is really effective. You will see results in about two weeks! Also, in terms of food intake, only eat until you are 70% to 80% full at each meal. There is also a secret: drink a glass of water after getting up in the morning and before every meal for both beauty and weight loss. Try them both!”
Her cousin is warm and kind. They have always been close. Bonnie’s husband also told her to try it. So, Bonnie made up her mind and tried it for two weeks.
Bonnie started practicing prostration using the CD in the morning and in the afternoon. After initially experiencing muscle soreness in her abdomen and arms, prostration gradually became easier. After each session, Bonnie sweated profusely and was very tired yet happy. Two weeks later, Bonnie was happy that her abdomen seemed to have shrunk a bit! With more confidence and feeling lighter, Bonnie persisted in her practice.
Three months later, Bonnie’s weight had dropped from 71 kg to 62 kg. Although she was not slim yet, she felt much lighter and found herself often wanting to dance with joy. What surprised Bonnie even more was that her severe allergic rhinitis disappeared; she was no longer sensitive to smell and no longer sneezed continuously.
Her cousin happily praised her. “Bonnie, you are really amazing. You persisted for more than three months! Prostration is a type of gentle aerobic exercise; keep practicing to help open the meridians and expel toxins in your body through sweating and other ways. After that, your physical condition will naturally be stronger. Many people not only alleviated their rhinitis but also get rid of severe headaches through prostration!”
Yes, Bonnie just remembered that she used to have severe insomnia. For four years, she could only sleep with the aid of sleeping pills for two to three hours a night. Now she sleeps peacefully for seven hours a night without sleeping pills. Her energy, complexion, and mood have all improved.
Prostration is unbelievable. Not only does it help with weight loss, it also detoxifies the body, and nourishes the heart!
Weight loss success = method + state of mind
In modern society, many people have joined the ranks of weight loss, but have experienced disappointing results. The reason is very simple. Their weight loss methods and state of mind were not optimal. It’s crucial to find good methods. Many people can’t lose weight because they’re pessimistic and stressed about their weight.
Emily’s story
I used to weigh 74 kg. It’s not that I haven’t tried to lose weight. On the contrary, I have tried many ways to lose weight. Looking back at those times, they were really crazy. I didn’t eat for several days, only an apple a day. I was so hungry that my stomach hurt. My weight did drop a few kilograms, but as soon as I resumed eating, my weight rebounded. When I saw how quickly I rebounded after all the hard work, I was so sad that I went to the other extreme. I simply gave up on myself and ate everything!
As a result, not only did I fail to lose weight, I also suffered from hormonal disorders and a severely altered physique. One day, I stood in front of the mirror and bitterly wept in despair!
In February 2012, I visited my university professor. She told me that she was learning Bodhi Meditation and the fitness effect was really good. With passion, she handed me the Meditation & Health magazine, Issue 10, which introduces the 4-in-1 weight loss method. My first impression was that prostration in the 4-in-1 weight loss program was a full-body exercise which should be effective when paired with proper food intake and drinking water before meals. It sounded scientific and comprehensive. Since no special venue was required, I bought a yoga mat and started doing prostrations at home.
I am glad that I chose this method as it’s really effective. At first, it was difficult. I was short of breath and had pain in my knees and abdomen. My arms were also in pain because I had to support my heavy, weak body. After doing it for 15 minutes, I just laid on the ground and didn’t want to get up.
I was unwilling to give up, so I contacted a teacher at the Bodhi Meditation Center recommended by my university professor. I asked, “I have done prostration all day and my body aches. What should I do? Should I keep going? Can the prostration really help me lose weight?”
The teacher encouraged me by saying, “As long as you keep doing it for 10 days, the pain will begin to disappear. Keep it up!”
I thought about how may methods I’d tried in vain. If this method could help me lose weight, wouldn’t it be a pity if I gave up? Did I really want to be fat forever? This method only required me to invest time, not money, and there was no need for surgery that could be risky. Since there was no risk, I should stick to it!
After 10 days, much of my pain was alleviated, and it was easier to do prostration. Although I hadn’t yet lost weight, I felt a sense of comfort and happiness quietly growing in my heart. I called the teacher again to talk about this beautiful feeling. The teacher said, “Congratulations! Yes, prostration can adjust your mood, making it pleasant and relaxing. If you continue, your skin will become more and more radiant. If you are an office worker, you will find that you have clarity and decisiveness. As long as you prostrate gently and slowly, concentrating on visualization, you will not get tired. Many people can practice for several hours at a time!”
I was greatly encouraged. Because of my eating disorder, I suffered from endocrine (hormonal) disorders. I had acne and a dull complexion. I was afraid to go out without wearing makeup. It would be great if my skin was smooth and radiant! I started to increase my prostration time, following the teacher’s instructions of practicing gently and slowly. Every time I finished my prostration, I would look in the mirror. Although the acne had not completely disappeared, my dull complexion gradually faded, and my skin became brighter.
After prostration, my appetite seemed to be under control, and the strong desire to eat greatly reduced!
With high hopes, I felt the change from pain to relaxation in my body, the soothing movements of prostration pacifying my impetuous mood, and my bowel movements smoother. I kept it going. My stomach shrank eventually, and I couldn’t restrain my joy: I succeeded! Not only did prostration help me lose weight, but it also gave me a bright complexion and a relaxed mood. I rediscovered the beauty within me.
After shifting my mindset, I found that weight loss became easier. After four months of persistence, my weight dropped from 74 kg to 59 kg!
Choose what you like and stick to it. This principle is the same for weight loss!
Make good use of the “expectancy effect”
Rosenthal is a famous American psychologist. He once brought his assistant to an elementary school and randomly selected several students, claiming that these students were the most promising people. He gave the names to the principal and relevant teachers and told them to keep it a secret. Eight months later, Rosenthal came to the school again and found that the students on the list had made significant progress. In fact, not only did these students show more potential than others, but had they also had the teachers’ highest expectations. The expectation resulted in incredible changes.
This is the expectancy effect, also known as the “Rosenthal effect.”
We can also set expectations for ourselves and believe that they will be achieved. The inner expectation of being sincere and never giving up will eventually become reality.
Shanshan’s weight loss story
Shanshan, 165 cm tall and weighing 50 kg, is a magazine model.
She used to weigh 67 kg, so how did she lose nearly 17 kg within four months? Shanshan said, “I firmly believed that I could be pretty, and I looked forward to being the beauty that I imagined myself to be. Therefore, I persisted with the prostration weight loss method. I followed the instructions strictly. I quit my bad habits such as eating snacks and ice cream and watching hours of TV.
Shanshan learned prostration from her good friend Annie. Annie lost 13 kg by doing prostration, which gave Shanshan hope. Originally, Shanshan hated sports, but this time, Shanshan decided to persist as she didn’t want everyone to look at her judgmentally when shopping with Annie.
Prostration is an exercise for the entire body, so it was a bit difficult for Shanshan’s “apple-shaped” figure. Her bulging stomach made it uncomfortable to bend down. Furthermore, after doing only a few repetitions, her abdominal muscles were sore; she was short of breath and her heart was pounding.
“I only did 10 minutes on my first attempt,” Shanshan recalled. When she sat down panting, Shanshan glanced at the closet and imagined her beautiful figure in the future. “I will definitely become slim! If Annie can do it, I can do it too!” Shanshan decided to complete prostration by breaking it down into several parts of her own accord. Since she could only do it for 10 minutes at a time, she would do it three times a day to reach the 30-minute goal.
The following week was the most difficult. She experienced pain in her arms and especially her abdomen, making it difficult to get out of bed. “Just like doing sit-ups when I was younger, the most painful part was my abdomen,” Shanshan shared with a smile.
After 10 days, her abdomen no longer hurt. During prostration, Shanshan began to feel indescribable comfort. In addition, Shanshan found that her bowel movements were back to normal, and the feeling of fullness and tightness in her abdomen had significantly eased. Although her stomach was still bulging, she had no more discomfort. Now Shanshan can do prostrations continuously for half an hour with relaxed breathing.
Every morning, evening, and before prostration, Shanshan imagined that she had a slender figure. This beautiful image motivated her. Gradually, Shanshan effortlessly increased her prostration time to two hours a day.
A month later, Shanshan’s stomach shrank a lot! When she weighed herself, she’d actually lost 4 kg!
Three months later, Shanshan went from 67 kg to 55 kg and she looked completely different! Looking in the mirror, her eyes were bright and confident, her body shapely, and her double chin gone. Shanshan danced with joy. “I made it!”
The Goddess of Luck began to favor Shanshan. When she went shopping, she met an editor of a fashion magazine who strongly recommended that she audition as a magazine model. People from the magazine were delighted with Shanshan but suggested that she lose another 5 kg for photography standards. So, Shanshan executed the prostration weight loss plan even more strictly, expecting to be a fashion magazine model in the future. Finally, she met the requirements of the magazine and successfully signed as a graphic model for the magazine.
Learn to set expectations for yourself, have self-motivation, and take practical action; weight loss is an achievable dream!
Let’s talk about weight loss: Prostration helps with weight loss and detoxification
Letter from reader Rong Xuan:
My father was in the obese category, and he was the first practitioner of prostration in our family. He spent half a year doing prostration and lost 10 kg easily. Now his appetite is under control and he is refreshed.
My mother suffered from poor gastrointestinal function and was thin and weak for many years. Seeing how Dad benefited from prostration, she remembered the other benefits of prostration mentioned in the magazine and became interested.
I am a high school student who used to be plump. As a young girl, I naturally wanted to have a slender figure and always wanted to lose weight. My schoolwork was very stressful, and dieting was unrealistic as I was afraid it would affect my health. Seeing how my dad lost weight through prostration, I followed his footsteps for about a month. I was surprised to find that not only did my figure become slimmer, but my understanding and ability to learn greatly improved. I used to catch a cold at the turn of each season, but this year I was safe and sound. This is amazing!
Since prostration was effective for my dad’s weight loss, would it also be effective for people like my mother who is very thin because of her stomach issues? Would she get even thinner by doing prostration?
Response:
It’s awesome that you practice prostration as a family! After practicing, self-control becomes stronger. In the past, you ate desperately when you saw food. After practicing prostration for a period of time, you don’t gobble up all the food in front of you.
Don’t worry that your mother will get thinner after prostration. For thin people, their appetite will increase after prostration. Your mother’s poor gastrointestinal and digestive functions will improve, and she will naturally eat more according to her energy needs.
In addition, try to avoid relatively sweet or sour foods and liquids in the morning. When there is a lot of stomach acid, you can eat food with low sugar content in the morning to balance the stomach acid. Have your mother try Pu-erh tea as it’s good for people with too much stomach acid.
Bless you and your family! I hope to hear from you again, and the good news about your mother.
Letter from Chinese medicine practitioner Jiahao:
I am a Chinese medicine practitioner. After entering middle age, my weight began to climb. My height is 172 cm. My weight had reached 91 kg. Due to the stress of work and pressure in life, I didn’t have a lot of time to engage in sports. Sometimes I made time to exercise, but I couldn’t keep it up due to bad weather. Over time, my physique changed significantly, and after work the only thing I wanted to do was sleep.
One day my wife brought home the magazine Meditation and Health and urged me to give prostration a try. I agreed because I didn’t have much time for sports and prostration could be done at home, regardless of equipment, venue, time, and weather. My wife happily bought me a yoga mat and I started practicing prostration. After I practiced daily for four months, my weight dropped from 91 kg to 79 kg, which I didn’t expect when I started the practice. I also became energetic, I could concentrate at work, and I could also help my wife with chores after work. I even took my son out to play ball and run on weekends. It feels like I have endless energy now! I haven’t been this energetic for many years, and I seem to get younger and younger!
I didn’t expect prostration to be so effective and amazing.
I want to recommend prostration to my patients. Are there any restrictions for prostration?
Response:
We’re so happy for you!
Low immunity, a common health concern nowadays, includes a foggy mind and a weak body. This is a state of suboptimal health.
Persevering in prostration can help clear blockages in the meridians, boost the immune system, and naturally strengthen our physical fitness. We’ll be energetic and strong in life and at work.
Thank you for your love in wanting your patients to benefit as well. It is better to give than to receive!
There aren’t many restrictions for prostration. Almost everyone can do prostration, but they should do so according to their physical conditions. People who don’t have any serious illnesses can practice for a longer time. People can still practice prostration if they have painful or serious illnesses, such as severe heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, lupus erythematosus, or advanced liver cancer.
However, we don’t recommend prostration for patients in the following critical states:
- Weak blood vessels and internal organs.
- Severe hemorrhoids where repeated squeezing action may trigger the condition.
- Extremely high blood pressure as the repeated up-and-down movement may increase blood pressure. Practicing prostration has to wait until the blood pressure drops.
Patients with illnesses should consult a doctor before practicing prostration.
For key points to practicing prostration, please read Grandmaster’s detailed teaching in the JinBodhi Class from Meditation and Health magazine, Issue 10.
