What is the best time to check your weight? (Image credit: iStock)
There is always a ‘right time’ for everything. From eating food at the right time to going out for a walk. But do you know that there is also a right time to check your weight? Some of us are generally worried about what will come on the weighing scale and we keep checking our weight continuously throughout the day. Which is not the right way. When it comes to effectively monitoring weight, timing is everything. So what is the right time to check your weight?
Right time to check your weight
According to Dr Imran Shaikh, consultant GI and oncosurgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, the ideal time to weigh yourself is in the morning, right after the first bowel movement and before eating or drinking. This specific time allows for the most accurate reading by eliminating weight fluctuations caused by food, fluids and other daily factors.
Maintaining this daily ritual consistently – same time, same position – ensures that your readings are reliable, especially if you’re monitoring weight changes due to lifestyle adjustments like diet or exercise. However, many times the health of our stomach is not clear and we experience digestive problems.
Our poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are the reasons why many of us suffer from digestive problems like bloating, constipation and indigestion.
So to maintain a healthy gut, Dr. Shaikh suggests starting your day with hydration. Drinking plenty of water not only helps in digestion but also helps in keeping bowel movements regular. Fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains are essential for adding bulk to stools and ensuring regularity. Foods containing probiotics, such as yogurt and kefir, help balance gut bacteria, reduce inflammation and aid digestion.
Simple ways to improve digestion
Good digestion can help in getting accurate results when it comes to checking weight.
chew properly
Dr. Shaikh explains the importance of chewing food thoroughly. Proper chewing activates enzymes that begin to break down food, reducing the burden on the stomach and ensuring that nutrients are better absorbed.
eat small and frequent meals
It is also important to eat smaller, more frequent meals with a balanced ratio of nutrients, as larger meals can overwhelm the digestive system.
limit processed foods
Limiting processed foods is important for digestive health. Highly processed foods, which are often high in fat and sugar, can be difficult to digest and contribute to bloating and discomfort. Instead, focus on whole, natural foods that are rich in nutrients and easy for your body to process.
remain active
Being physically active can also help with gut health. Light exercise, such as walking after meals, can stimulate digestion and prevent constipation.
manage stress
Managing stress is another important aspect of maintaining a healthy digestive system, as stress can cause or worsen digestive problems such as bloating and indigestion. Dr. Shaikh recommends incorporating stress-reducing practices, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, into your daily routine for overall gut health.
What to do to clean your stomach? According to Heema Nanavati, BAMS, Consultant, Age Clinic in Kandivali, Mumbai, explains Ayurvedic detox methodsPanchakarma in particular aims to cleanse not only the intestines but the entire body. Panchakarma consists of five major therapeutic procedures that aim to eliminate toxins from within the body. These processes include:
– Vomiting: therapeutic vomiting to eliminate toxins from the upper digestive tract.
– Virechana: Medical purgation to remove toxins from the body.
– Basti: Enemas are used to clean the lower digestive tract.
– Nasya: Removal of toxins from the head, neck and brain through nasal administration.
– Raktamokshan: Removal of toxic substances circulating in the blood.
Heema explains that deep cleansing through Panchakarma is beneficial for everyone, whether they are healthy or struggling with illness. However, for people with specific health conditions, certain procedures may be selected to suit their individual needs.
Dr. Sushma Sumeet, BAMS, MD, PhD, Ayurvedic practitioner, explains the importance of gut microbiota in regulating metabolic functions, immunity, and colonic health. In Ayurveda, certain lifestyle habits can disrupt gut health. Overeating, irregular eating habits and consumption of unhealthy foods are all recognized as factors that upset the digestive system and lead to imbalance in gut bacteria.
Irregular eating habits, such as eating when the previous meal has not been digested or ignoring natural urges like defecation, can weaken digestion, leading to problems like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Sumeet explains that such disruptions increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal cancer, small bowel cancer, intestinal lymphoma and cholangiocarcinoma.
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