Share any insights or takeaways from Chapters 5 and 6 in the comments below. Chapter 5- The Overfeeding Paradox This chapter considers the idea that eating overfeeding makes us gain weight and shares some surprising experiments. In one experiment, a dude eats a bunch more calories than usual, but he eats them in the form of fat and protein and limited carbs. He gains a little weight, not as much as expected, but also gains muscle, and loses inches off of his waist line, showing that he has actually lost fat during this time. He then does the same experiment with the Standard American Diet, eating more calories with lots of processed carbs and highly processed foods. His waistline expands and he gains fat, just as one might expect. It's not just about calories, the kind of calories we are eating matter. We are introduced to Leptin, the hunger hormone. Leptin is one of the primary hormones involved in weight regulation. Chapter 6- A NEW Hope This Chapter introduces the Hormonal Theory of Obesity, explaining how the hormone insulin is intricately related to whether our body is holding onto fat or letting go of it. Chapter 7- Insulin Deep dive into Insulin. We read about a variety of studies that show clearly that the more insulin a person is exposed to via medication, the more weight they gain. Likewise, medications that lower insulin actually lead to weight loss. This is true regardless of how many calories a person is eating.

This is a space, in the comments below, to share insights and take aways from chapters 3 and 4 of the Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung. If you don’t yet have your book, check your local library first! Libraries are a a neat space to hang out. If you have kids, bring your kids and take a field trip to the library :). Or don’t. It’s totally up to you. But, it could be fun! Of course, I had to give you a choice cuz I’m a Rebel at heart in my Transformation Blueprint. So, it’s easier for me to share flexible guidelines since that’s what I tend to prefer.

In my experience, most definitely yes! I used to struggle with depression for many years. I also used to enjoy sweet treats and would sometimes have too many of them. Since I've started intermittent fasting, eating lots and lots of veggies, low sugar fruits, and healthy proteins and fats, and mostly staying away from processed sugar, I've felt consistently happy, enthusiastic, and at peace, and it's been over a year. I might feel occasional sadness or overwhelm, or have down days, but it feels nothing like the depression and feelings of hopelessness I used to experience in my twenties and thirties. Sugar and gluten seem to be the biggest culprits for me in bringing on feelings of depression and despair. I had a reminder of that connection yesterday. The day before, I ate two cookies that the hubby made for a wonderful family visit over the last weekend. Yesterday, I felt weepy and just generally down, for over an hour. I don't usually feel that way. I have lots of tools for shifting states like that, and I used them. It could have lasted much longer if I didn't have my tools to turn to. But I'd prefer not to feel weepy to begin with! It was a great reminder of why I choose to stay away from processed sugar and how erratic blood sugar spikes and dips affect my mood and my quality of life. Yet, I choose to never feel like I'm depriving my self, so I may still occasionally decide to have a sweet treat, depending on the circumstances. But the reality is, my life feels and flows better when I stay away from processed sugar, even organic home-made cookies! What do you think, fellow Thriver, could there be a link between food and depression? Vote in the poll and share in the comments below. The two articles below talk about the possible connection between blood sugar stability and mood, for anyone who wants to research the topic and learn more, https://www.levels.com/blog/glucose-mood https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2019posts/mood-blood-sugar-kujawski.html

It’s time to pick another Book to Thrive! So far, we have explored Super Gut, a 4-week plan to reprogram your biome, restore health, and lose weight, by Dr. William Davis and Eat that Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time to by Brian Tracy. Which book would you choose next? Metabolic Freedom, a 30 day Guide to Restore Metabolism, Heal Hormones, and Burn Fat, by wellness influencer and intermittent fasting teacher Ben Azadi? Ben is founder of Keto Kamp and advocates for the Keto diet. With some awareness and swaps where needed, you can do his program as a vegetarian/vegan as well. Or The Obesity Code, Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss by Dr. Jason Fung.

I know, we aren't technically doing that book anymore, but I had to share this part with you, I believe it will be useful for you to consider these questions. Share your answers in the comments below :) This is from the end of Chapter 15- "1.) Analyze your current energy levels and your daily health habits. Resolve today to improve your levels of health and energy by asking the following questions: What am I doing physically that I should do MORE of? What am I doing that I should do LESS of? What am I not doing that I should START DOING if I want to perform at my best? What am I doing today that affects my health that I should STOP DOING all together? 2.)Select one activity or behavior that you can change immediately to improve your overall levels of health and energy. Practice that one action over and over until it becomes a habit. Then select a second way to improve and begin on that. Whatever your answers are to the above questions, take action today. " Let's goooooo!! Can't wait to read your answers!