Q. I work out for over an hour five or six days a week. I lost some weight when I started exercising, but for many months now I have not lost any more. I feel like I am not getting any results from my workouts, and it is getting harder to stay motivated. Please help me.

A. Ayurveda has always recognized what modern fitness experts are saying these days: there is such a thing as too much exercise. As in every aspect of life, ayurveda recommends balance in exercise. Also, individual needs for exercise can vary widely. If you are mainly Kapha by nature, intensive workouts requiring strength and endurance can be useful as long as you are not overstraining. On the other hand, if you are predominantly Vata, a short walk every morning may be all the exercise you need.

More tips to get the most from your workouts:

1. Try and work out in the morning. A morning exercise routine helps charge you up for the day, whereas working out late in the evening can make it more difficult to fall asleep quickly.

2. Do not work out either on a completely empty stomach or right after a heavy meal.

3. Vary the type of exercise you do--a sport where you can have fun while you exercise can be a refreshing change.

4. Drink lots of pure water through the day.

5. Amalaki rasayana can help enhance natural energy.

6. The Triphala rasayana cleanses out your digestive tract and enhances the metabolism.