Is Your Brain Making You Fat??

The good news is that recent research has shown that our brains continue to create new nerve connections and learn throughout our lives. So no matter how old our dogs feel, we can learn new tricks! The bad news is that the brain feels that if it isn't broke, there's no need to tinker with the way things are. If you are still breathing, as far as the brain is concerned, it ain't broke. So, that is why it can be difficult to sustain changes in your diet or routine.

However, there is a silver lining. Dr. Kelly Traver's book, The Program: The Brain-Smart Approach to the Healthiest You: The Life-Changing 12-Week Method gives us a little secret to get around our brain's desire to keep all things the same, (homeostasis.) Your hypothalamus is in charge of maintaining homeostasis in your body. It controls hunger, thirst, body temperature, and stress response including the release of hormones, like cortisol, which can make you gain weight. The hypothalamus is influenced by all of the parts of the brain, including the amygdala. The amygdala is the root of the stress response.

Dr. Traver described a study in which MRI's of people's brains were studied for stress response. Those who were asked to make a big change, demonstrated a strong reaction in the amygdala, but if asked to make a small change, the amygdala did not react at all. The research showed that you can overcome your brain's desire to keep your weight where it is by making small changes over time. That is exactly the concept behind the book Effortless Weightloss: Small Changes That Lead To Extraordinary Results!The book describes specific small changes you can make in the way you eat, think and move, that will add up to dramatic improvements in your mood, health, and physical appearance. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. By the way, since my last post, I have lost one pound. I'll take that and keep focused on my goal of health and happiness, not a number on the scale. Until next time,