Saturday, February 25, 2012

Chemical mood boosters and weightloss...

Have you ever felt kind of down and just wanted something
sweet to make you feel better?  I have!  I start looking for the
Peanut M & Ms, Oreos or some dark chocolate...


Emotional eating is one of the biggest causes of OVER eating, leading to
weight gain.  And, emotional eating has a lot to do with the chemicals
...present or not present in the brain. 
How can we gets some good chemicals in the brain to help with
WEIGHTLOSS?
Our bodies actually manufacture chemicals that can help us to
...feel less hungry, and/or to eat less.

Serotonin
 is a chemical in the brain responsible for our "happy feeling".
It regulates moods, causing us to feel calmer, sleep well, and can
help keep us from "emotional" food eating. 

Eating refined carbs and sugar can actually contribute to
sadness/depression.  They give a quick boost of serotonin levels
but, then there is a dramatic drop...

Have you ever eaten sugary substances and not long after
felt like you needed a "nap"?

To maintain stable levels of the "happy" chemical in your brain, it's
important to eat foods containing tryptophan....salmon, turkey, almonds,
bananas, avocados, eggs, and also complex carbs like oatmeal or whole wheat.
There are other ways to boost your mood and serotonin levels
besides food...
Exercise  -  Sleep  -  Spending time with friends  - 
Being around pets  -  Sunlight  -  Positive thoughts.

Studies have proven...that serotonin is not only a powerful mood elevator
...but, sufficient amounts of circulating serotonin also signal feelings of fullness
and reduced appetite.  Being in a good mood can also help us to resist those
 "junk" food temptations.

What things do YOU do to help YOU resist bad-food temptations?
Do YOU have some suggestions to help us with
emotional eating/overeating?

**next week will be part II of how the right chemicals in
the brain can help us with weight loss.

=========================================
~ Slow Cooker Breakfast  ~ 
Cherry /Orange Oatmeal

4 cups water
2 cups old fashioned oats
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoons stevia  (you can add more if you like it sweeter)
2 cans (11 ounces each) mandarin orange segments in light syrup
      rinsed and drained
2 cups fresh pitted cherries or frozen dark sweet cherries

1) combine water, oats, cocoa and stevia in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low
       for 8 hours
2) serve oatmeal with oranges and cherries

==========================================

~~ Ruby's Report  ~~

Treadmill - I finally reached my goal of 2 miles/6 days in a row.  I've noticed on my
exercise journal, that if I push myself one day...I'm quite a bit more tired/slow the next day.
I "beat my best" this week. One of the days I did a 7.0 incline for the whole 2 miles.

Food - I was good with my water this week.  I ate more protein.  But, I slacked a few
days on eating enough veggies.  If I eat more fruit and veggies...the pipes help to rid
my body of unwanted weight =P

Weight (loss?) - down .2.  (I was a bit sad getting on the scale today because earlier
this week, I was actually down lower than I have been in several years!). But, at least
today I was down a weee bit. 
=======================================






Won'tcha take minute? and, ...leave a comment?

How did your exercise goals go?  Did you have any successes...
...like choosing a healthy food instead of an empty calorie one? 
Maybe, you did something like parked that car further from the
store to get a few more steps in your day?
======   ======
Set a goal a "healthy" commitment/goal for this coming week,
...and report back here next Saturday...YAY!!
YOU just never know...there might be a leeetle ...

...giveaway


20 comments:

Belinda said...

I can't stay on track for the life of me. I'd like to try to refrain from sweets next week, and get back to my exercise routine....

Teresa in Music City said...

Great info! I cut down on the amount of Coke I drink this week and started drinking water with lemons in it instead. I'm a genuine Coke-a-holic, so that's a biggie for me!

Sis-O said...

I pulled weeds in the front yard on Tuesday and came down with a cold and spent the rest of the week mostly sleeping. I think sickness burns calories.

Sis-O said...

Oh yeah, so for the coming week I vow to not eat any Reeses peanut butter cups (starting Monday).

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I don't buy 'sweets' - not even a desert person. Fresh fruit is what I like. I have cut my coffee intake to increase the water, but found I prefer iced green tea. I have to have so much caffeen to control my spinal fluid pressure -so the tea and coffee have to stay. More walking has been taking place with the good weather - and my grandson gave me a good workout the other day playing baseball and general running outside. I find 'comfort' foods when a bit down work - stews, soups, pasta, But sweets just aren't in this house.

Deb said...

Yes, I have been battling the choc cravings too. That is my weakness as well. I have been doing WW for like forever and trying to lose those last few kilos is so hard!

We have a new dog that needs a lot of exercise so I am trying to go for a walk every day with him.

Becky said...

I can resist a good bit but when I dont I usually like something sweet.Recently the sweet was jelly beans. Oh my I must confess I had 2 bags in a day and a half LOL.But I did watch what else I ate in the time.So I couldnt feel REAL guilty ha.

I eat all whole grains cereal, bread, pasta.I drink water and tea.I can resist pepsi.If I dont its usually diet caffeine free.I think if you drink lots of cold water you can be full,thus you dont have the cravings as much.

KatieQ said...

I'm glad to hear your weight is down a bit this week. I'd be happy even if it was a few ounces. Thanks for the great info. All these little bits you post really serve as reminders for me to keep at it. I was only able to get to exercise 3 times this week. I've been trying not to bring desserts into the house. If I need a sweet pick me up, I have a high fiber bar for my snack. I'm still working on trying to drink 64 oz of water daily.

kc said...

Believe it or not, I'm finding that the little baby carrots are great for taming the munchies. They provide the sweet I crave, along with a little CRUNCH. Plus, they're just a little extra vitamin A for my ole eyeballs.

I even share with the puppy, who, I've been told, is a little on the pudgy side herself. (Just like her mama!)

We, too, are trying to get a few more walks in with the warmer weather. I don't know that I'll ever be able to resist chocolate, much to my dismay. :(

Good luck to us all!!

barbara woods said...

when you get my age you get on the treadmill to keep you healthy and you eat to keep you going

robin said...

Have you read the book "Wheat Belly"? A very compelling read. I think it may really help me to give up wheat, but I JUST DON'T WANNA! :( (yes, I'm partial to my carbs!) I've been trying to do 2 miles of walking/jogging on the treadmill, but any excuse is a good excuse lately. Just would be so nice to have been born with skinny genes. Whine, whine, whine...

Joanie's Trendy Quilts said...

I have been inspired! I have been working towards exercising again and eating properly. Your post is a good reminder. Loved the info on how to increase serotonin. Hmmm, I wonder if that is why I crave eating almonds.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I learned in my youth, that if I don't eat breakfast, that I get HUNGRY and will binge eat for the rest of the day. I try to eat an omelet every morning, along with some toast or english muffin. It keeps me full till lunch. Every bit helps.

Sandi said...

Great post! Sounds like you are on track towards losing those pounds. This week I started my new part time job - working in a chocolate shop.....I will have to keep an eye on restraining myself from trying those samples.... :)
Cheerio for now

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

I've been walking more since reading your tips and I'm down a jeans size!

Elly D said...

I started at the walking this past few days. Parked the car on outskirt of town and walked in to the shops. Did 2 half hour sessions on the treadmill. It's a start.
Have been looking at my food intake. Some improvements needed there ;) Thank you for your inspiration and congratulations on reaching your 2 mile goal.
Elly

suemac said...

I found out last weekend that my son is eating a mostly vegetarian diet for health reasons. He saw some program on PBS that turned him off of meats and processed foods. I have been doing better on my diet. I am eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat. Did not get much exercise in the past few days as I have a nasty cold. Hope to be back on it this coming week.

Beth said...

Congrats on reaching your treadmill goal! And thanks for letting us know; hearing about successes makes progress seem more possible.

I was out of town this week, at a funeral, and felt good about not eating junk at the airport while I waited, and not mindlessly munching on junk food during the week.

My goal for this week is to get some physical exercise every day, now that I'm back at home.

Wishing us all success!

Miss Hillbilly said...

I stress eat and I know it. When Seth hit about 10 yrs old I started dropping pounds right and left. Then gained it back and more with Stephen. The first thing I do when he stresses me is eat!

So you put the answer in this post. I need a dog. Yep, that would solve it. My husband is sitting right here. He says he'll just buy me some serotonin pills. Phooey.

Kira said...

This was a good day to check in. I am in the dumps. Stinking stitching. I will not indulge in food for comfort. Perhaps I should bundle everyone up and take a cold, snowy walk. Will that boost my low serotonin levels?