How the ‘crow and branch theory’ can help you boost metabolism and lose weight

Most importantly, don’t quit after one fall - setbacks are part of the journey

Here's what can help you stay committed (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

4 min readNew DelhiJan 9, 2026 10:00 PM IST First published on: Jan 9, 2026 at 10:00 PM IST

We’ve covered the 20-10 method for weight loss. But have you ever heard of the crow-and-branch theory for losing extra kilos?

Imagine you’re a crow who just found the perfect branch to sit on before flying away to see more shiny things. Now, when you sit on the branch, it wobbles a little. But as a crow, you’re not concerned about the branch breaking because you know how to fly. The same applies to weight loss and metabolism, said nutrition coach Raksha Lulla in an Instagram post. Rather than the oft-repeated phrase calorie deficit, you should work toward having a good metabolism.

“Metabolism is like a campfire that burns inside your body. Fuel- The food you eat (carbs, proteins, fats) is like wood for the fire. Burn- Your body’s ‘fire’ (metabolism) burns the fuel (food) to give you energy. Energy- The energy from the ‘fire’ is used to power your body’s functions, like moving, thinking, and growing. Speed- Your metabolism’s ‘burn rate’ can vary, influencing how quickly you burn fuel (food) and how much energy you produce,” explained Lulla.

She continued:

– If the fire is burning quickly (fast metabolism), it uses more wood (food) and produces more heat (energy).
– If the fire is burning slowly (slow metabolism), it uses less wood (food) and produces less heat (energy).

That’s metabolism for you, said Lulla.

Saurabh Bothra, founder of Habuild and a certified yoga instructor, said that the theory reveals the secrets to overcoming daily struggles and growing into a better version of yourself with a simple idea.

Is your metabolism fast? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

“As a crow, you know that even if the branch breaks, you can go to another nearby branch or simply fly away. This is the same ideology you should use when trying to lose weight, which is just excess fat (you wouldn’t want to lose muscles, would you?). Your cravings and setbacks are the wind that makes your branch shake; when this happens, you can move to a stronger branch that isn’t dependent on your calorie intake or diet,” said Bothra.

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For example, you can prepare an exercise routine that keeps your metabolism in check. According to Bothra, this will help you keep your desired weight longer since it doesn’t consider food significant. “But your diet and balanced meals are still a huge part of your weight loss journey because what you eat becomes your fuel for the day,” added Bothra.

Most importantly, don’t quit after one fall – setbacks are part of the journey.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Raksha Lulla (@raksha_fat.loss_femininity)

“What matters most is how you get up after that fall and how strong you believe your branch to be. As always, consistency is key! Even if one branch breaks, there’s always another stronger one to hold you and keep you going,” said Bothra.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.