People mistakenly think that since I’ve lost weight it’s not hard for me anymore. They’re surprised that I still journal my food, weigh in daily, and exercise daily. Why? Because it’s a daily fight to keep the weight off.
Recently I came across an article that confirmed this. (It was also somewhat discouraging.) The article said:
“Your brain has a very accurate system of knowing how many fat cells you have, and even how fat those fat cells are,” says Ken Fujioka, MD, director of the Center for Weight Management and of nutrition and metabolic research at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, Calif. “When you’re dieting, the brain knows the body’s fat cells are decreasing and it wants to get them back, even after you’ve reached your goal weight,” explains Dr. Fujioka.
The brain has a number of ways it tries to regain its fat cells. One is to slow the body’s metabolism so it can hang on to fat more easily. Another is to make you think about food more. “Your brain is constantly telling you ‘eat, eat, eat,’” Fujioka says. “It will also deny that you are regaining weight, even if your clothes are getting tight.”
Your body really does try to stay fat. Not the best news in the world.
Fortunately, all the steps you already know to do can help fight against brain’s obsession to stay fat: exercise, keep a food log, weigh yourself, be accountable, and eat well starting with breakfast!
