Weight Management: Beyond Balancing Calories

Since the discovery of the first appetite hormone in the 1990s, the science of obesity has advanced dramatically. The growing understanding of how hunger and weight "set point" are regulated is changing the way we need to approach weight loss. This week, we will see how the brain, hormones, gut, and emotions interact to control food intake and weight. By learning about our biology, and how to work with rather than against it, you will become more successful at reaching your goals.

Counting calories can be helpful, but not all calories are created equal. Different foods are broken down and interact with our body in dramatically different ways. This week, we will look at the common ground among the healthiest dietary patterns and outline a framework for the diet best supported by existing scientific studies.

While the foods we eat are critical for managing weight, they are only part of the challenge. Often underestimated are the effects of stress, exercise, and sleep. The goal this week is to see how each of these factors can influence the hormones and chemicals that control our appetite and metabolism.

Habits drive many of our everyday choices. Unlike deliberate decisions, habits are carried out instinctively. In addition to knowing about the foods and behaviors we need to adopt, we need to engineer habits to support out goals subconsciously. This week, we will learn how to use habit to our advantage and practice mindfulness when we eat.