Newsletter 11 - Take a Step Back from Your Emotional Cliff

Physiology and biology help explain how weight loss occurs by decreasing the amount of food energy the body takes in, while the body's metabolism burns fat as an alternative reserve form of energy. Fat metabolism causes an increase in the “metabolic smoke of fat burning” to produce the metabolic by-products of ketone bodies, known as ketosis. Ketosis is a natural adaptation by the body to provide the energy needed to continue its natural metabolic functioning. Except in a state of extreme dysfunctions, such as in Type 1 diabetes, ketosis is not harmful or dangerous. But carrying excessive body fat is harmful and damaging to the body. Physiological factors help explain how weight loss occurs, while psychological and emotional factors help explain why individuals so often regain their lost weight.

Overweight individuals tend to overeat not only because of a biological hunger, but also for many underlying emotional reasons and issues that cause an individual to get and use food as a coping mechanism. It is easier and more satisfying, in the short term, to eat and snack on high carbohydrate, fatty and/or salty snacks than to deal with stressful issues that cause frustration, depression, mental fatigue, loneliness, anger, and stern induced tension. Before you snack on calorie dense but nutrient deficient foods, take a mental step back from your emotional cliff, and ask yourself if you are really biologically hungry (starving) or emotionally upset and stressed. Research has shown that eating high carbohydrate and ultra processed foods has been associated with the body’s stress hormones, to cause and promote a sense of relaxation. Clinical studies have shown that some mild aerobic physical activity, like walking, hiking, cycling can help to drain away and release that stress. Snacking when upset only makes the situation worse and causes you to continue to be upset and frustrated at yourself. Increased emotional eating helps to explain why so many individuals who lose weight tend to regain a good portion of their lost weight.