Question:
Does bikram Yoga regulate the appetite? Since I started Bikram Yoga I cut my daily caloric intake in half. I don't have my usual cravings for candy and ice cream. Is this normal? Is it something to do with the Yoga, the heat, the sweating, or a combination of the above?
Answer:
I've noticed that the yoga has pretty dramatic effects on my appetite, but it goes in waves. There were times when I'd lose my appetite COMPLETELY, which really weirded me out, but no harm seemed to come of it. I'd eat these really light meals all day - basically fruits and salads - and feel great. Then a few months later, I'd be ready to eat a freaking horse after class and couldn't make it home without stopping at 7-11 for Ben and Jerry's. (Ha!)
When in doubt, go with it!
If you're finding that food "doesn't taste good anymore," it might be that you need to keep experimenting for the food that does taste good NOW. (It's not going to be the same as the food that tasted good before.) Like, before I started Bikram, I had never touched kale. Didn't even know what a kale was. Now, I often have days when I want kale, I crave kale, and kale is the only thing that's gonna taste good. But before I discovered kale, this was just a "mystery craving" that I didn't know how to deal with!
So yeah, I think you should still be able to eat the things that you love. You might just find that the things you love have changed quite a lot. It's a mental adjustment, to go from "yay brownies!" to "yay kale!!" Spend some quality time raiding the aisles of trader joe's, and you'll find your new comfort foods.
