Losing weight & tai chi

Do I need to follow some sort of tai chi diet?

No. It is up to you what you eat. However, to get the best out of tai chi it is important to consider eating sensibly. Fasting and diets are not really favoured by taoism. Eating a balanced range of food is regarded as being more healthy than cutting-back radically or over-indulging. The tai chi approach is to listen to your body.

Listening to your body

Make sure that you do not get too hungry. If hungry, eat something that will satisfy and provide sufficient energy to last until meal time. If you have just eaten and still feel hungry, allow time for the food to settle.

Listening to your mind

We are inundated by adverts selling sweets or desserts. Sugar is very addictive, so it is hard not to eat chocolate or other desserts. From a health point of view, desserts are not food. Tai chi advocates moderation; so you can eat chocolate if you want to, but don't pretend that it is good for you.

Am I overweight?

The weighing scale can provide a measurement, but what does the number mean? Everyone is a different size and shape, so can general rules apply? Tai chi is about awareness. A weighing scale will not tell that you are overweight, but exploring with your hands will. It may not be pleasant to find fat, but there is no use denying the evidence.

Things to eat

The following food is generally considered to be good for your health:

Water
Pasta
Rice
Wholemeal bread
Bananas (ripe)
Fresh fruit & vegetables, especially grapes, carrots (raw)
Quorn
Tofu/soya bean curd
Seeds
Nuts