I like saturated fat and salt mixed together. It tastes really good to me. Apparently, it is also causing the pleasure
center in my brain to light up with glee. Further
to that, according to an article I just read in IDEA’s March Fitness Journal,
my brain is hardwired to seek out happiness and safety and shun
discomfort. As much as I think I’m in
charge of my decisions and my willpower, my “primal brain” runs the show most
of the time and wants me to eat saturated fat and salt mixed together so I’m
happy and temporarily safe (in that I’m not going to starve to death at lunch
on Tuesday afternoon). It doesn’t
understand or care about the long-term consequences of high cholesterol and
excess body fat.
So is this the end of
the road for me and everyone else trying to beat the beast down to lose a few
pounds?
The answer is NO.
But, how can I change my brain’s reaction to salt and fat
pie? I could make a public declaration
espousing the evil of my beloved and how from this day forward, I will not be
mesmerized by its allure. Then tonight
when I’m watching American Idol a big juicy burger at the commercial break will
start whispering to me, telling me how happy I’ll be if we hook up. “Primal brain” says, “Go for it, that burger
will rock your world.” You get the picture….
So is this the end of the road for me and everyone else
trying to………
The "no" doesn't sound so confident now. I can see why on Day 2 or Week 3 or whenever, that I'm ready to throw in the towel. Happy brain circuitry to blame.
So now what...how do I change this neural infatuation short of getting my taste buds removed.
It doesn't have much to do with hunger. Studies on humans and animals have found that add salt, fat and sugar and we and our mammal counterparts will keep on eating with reckless abandon. I need to rewrite history by putting in a new set of rules.
Our task this week, is to make one SMALL, SPECIFIC change to our eating patterns. Let's not over analyze it initially. Do we want to drink
more water? Have a small cup next to
the sink. After brushing,
drink two glasses of water. Depending on
the size of your cup and how many times we brush our teeth, that could be
16-32 more oz a day.
Want to eat less carbohydrates? Decide not to eat starchy
foods after lunch. Or write down every
carb serving eaten and keep it to six or under. Remember our serving sizes, ½ cup rice or
pasta, 1 slice of bread.
Want to stop grazing?
Drink a protein shake for a snack.
Or make a snack list of 5 things and don’t divert from it. Carry prepackaged snacks with you. Or, eat
only 5 times a day. Chew gum.
What will you change this week? Be specific.
Start small and achievable. Share
this goal with someone. Commit to it,
but if you falter get back on at your next eating occasion.
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