Though there are many factors that have influenced the world-wide obesity crisis, the connection between people's increasing weight and a phenomenon known as 'food addiction' is well established. Like any addictive behaviour, our connection to food relates to its ability to release pleasurable chemicals in our brains. These chemicals create a feeling of euphoria and relieve stress. However, they are released at a far greater rate when consuming foods high in sugar, fat, and salt, three groups that anyone on a weight loss journey needs to avoid!
The problem is that the connection between brain chemistry and food makes losing weight when dealing with a food addiction much harder. Once you get used to these chemicals, it's hard to give them up. Like any addict, overcoming our compulsion to eat is not at all easy nor is it about willpower alone. Instead, you need to find a way to stimulate your brain while still avoiding fatty, sugary, and salty foods.
There Is a Solution
Luckily, there is a simple solution to combatting the chemical effects of food addiction: exercise. While it seems counterintuitive at first (doesn't working out make you hungrier?) there is a direct connection between the brain chemicals released during exercise and the brain chemicals released when eating.
Recent research supports this assumption. In fact, the University of Exeter, located in the UK, conducted a study of regularly exercising individuals and actually found that short spurts of physical activity actually reduced participant's cravings for sugary and fatty foods.
This is how it worked. During their participation in the study, subjects abstained from eating chocolate for a period of three days. After that time, they were told to either, (a) take a rest, or (b) take a walk at a brisk pace. Directly afterwards, the subjects participated in an activity designed to make them think about chocolate. Examples include being asked to open a chocolate bar for someone else. The results were amazing. Those who had taken the brisk walk were far less likely to report a desire to indulge in the treat as compared to those who had just finished resting.
And that's just it-the physical activity of any kind, something as small as a short walk, affected the participant's brain chemistry such that they were less likely to cave into the food which would create the same reaction. So, getting up and doing something physical not only does the regular things, boosting metabolism and improving your mood, but it actually reduces the cravings you have for that bad food and helps you fight your food addiction.
Need help fighting your food addiction. My online program, Love Your Weight Loss will give you actionable ways to do just that, all while having fun! Check it out at https://www.sallysymonds.com.au/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sally_Symonds
Posted in: 
.jpg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment