Less activation in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC) in the reanalysis of the response to a meal in obese than in lean women and its association with successful weight loss.
* Studies indicating that obese women have less activation in the LDLPFC in response to a meal than do lean or formerly obese women. Neuronal activity in this region did not differ significantly between the latter 2 groups. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether these differences in neuronal activity change with or predict weight change.
** Studies found that obese men have less activation in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC) in response to a meal than do lean men, which indicates an association between this altered neuronal response and the pathophysiology of obesity.
One of the most difficult things to overcome on the road to being a slim member of society is temptation.
We all know this is true, don’t we! The way to overcoming this problem is through will power and motivation. If you are one of those people, like me, who are somewhat wanting in this department, then you need all the help you can get.
Self visualization techniques have been found to help some people, and they may well be of help to you. It is often said that in order to successfully get rid of weight, we have to be in the right frame of mind and be very determined.
In order to help our resolve, scientists have found that visualization techniques can be of tremendous benefit when it comes to losing weight. Visualization is all about using you minds eye to create images. What you have to do is use the power of your imagination to picture what you want to achieve.
You need to focus on how you would like to look and tell yourself that there is no reason at all why you can’t be that person. It has been well known, for quite some time, that if you rehearse some task mentally, then this pre-activates the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in your brain.
This is the front area of the brain which performs executive functions and expedites them. If you rehearse a task in your mind, you are likely to perform it much better, because you have primed the prefrontal cortex. Thus the cortex does not have to catch up or struggle to make sense of any new ideas or situations. It has been pre-warned and will be ready to provide support.
Scientists know that if you pre-activate your prefrontal cortex by visualization, it has a similar effect. In other words, if you visualize yourself as being a couple of stone lighter, then the easier it will be to lose the weight.
What you are doing is stimulating your prefrontal cortex and rehearsing, in your mind, how you want to be. When you decide to take some action on this matter, there should be a marked effect on your motivation and determination. Visualization can indeed be a very powerful lever and is also very useful for breaking and getting rid of old bad habits, no matter how ingrained they are. How to visualize:-
1) Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Pause. Take a few deep breaths and slowly exhale. Pause. Breathe normally.
2) Clear your mind of any superfluous thoughts and imagine that you are sitting in front of your television screen. Pause.
3) Imagine that onto the television screen comes the image of yourself as you would like to be. A new, happy, slim and smiling image. See how good you look.
4) Integrate with the image. Mentally merge with it.
5) Imagine the new slim image of yourself going about your normal everyday life, going to work, socialising with your friends even going on holiday.
6) Store these images in your mind and, when you feel ready, click the off switch to the television.
7) Repeat this process as often as you can.
Try to get the visualization hardwired into your brain. Tell yourself that the image you have created will be the person that you will become. The above system can be modified if it suits you to do so. I have given you the basic idea all you have to do is make it work for you. This technique can be both simple to use and very effective. So, why not give it a try.
Studies From the Obesity and Diabetes Clinical Research Section, Phoenix Epidemiology & Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Health, Phoenix, AZ (DSNTL, NP, ADS, and JK); Banner Alzheimer Institute and the Banner Positron Emission Tomography Center, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ (KC and EMR); the Center for Human Nutrition, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO (JOH); and the Miriam Hospital Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI (RRW)