Note: This is based on my understanding of what the author discussed in “The Hungry Brain” and while I think I got the basics right, I may have missed some nuances. I suggest reading the book if you want more details. It was fascinating to follow all of the experiments and investigations that went into the findings. I recently finished the book The Hungry Brain: Outsmarting the Instincts that Make Us Overeat by Stephen J. Guyenet. It was an intriguing look at the way our brai

Have you ever noticed that on some days you’re hungrier than others? Back when I overate, I never got to the point where I noticed this, but since I’ve been eating mindfully, it comes up fairly often, and it’s still something I struggle with. I have days where I’m hungrier than others, and on those days, I end up eating a lot. Then the next day, I feel like I “should” be able to eat as much again, but this often backfires because I’m likely not as hungry the next day. This ca

A few months ago I began typing up old journal entries, starting with ones from almost 20 years ago. (I’d already typed up the ones before that.) I’m now in early 2002, when I’d probably lost around 75 pounds, and several entries reminded me of something I’d forgotten that often comes with weight loss. Compliments. I couldn’t go anywhere without someone commenting on my weight loss and how good I looked. Even walking down the street, a woman I didn’t know but who had seen me

The other day, I felt like having an English muffin as part of my meal, but I wasn’t sure I was hungry enough for a whole one. At first, I kept going back and forth between all or nothing, and then the simple truth hit me. I could have half of it. I felt a bit silly for not having thought of this earlier, but it reminded me how easy it is to slip into black and white – or all or nothing – thinking. This mindset can influence all areas of your life, including food. Do you thin