Homeostasis: The Pain and Satisfaction Feedback Loop

Ever feel like your body is working against you when it comes to weight loss? In this episode, I unpack the fascinating concept of homeostasis—our body’s natural way of maintaining balance—and how it plays a critical role in our eating habits, cravings, and metabolism. I’ll break down why extreme dieting backfires, how dopamine influences our food choices, and what we can do to work with our body instead of fighting against it.

We’ll also explore the power of pain—yes, pain!—and how embracing the right kind of discomfort can actually help us create lasting change. Drawing from the research of Dr. Anna Lembke, I’ll share strategies to reset our brain’s reward system, reduce emotional eating, and find balance in a world filled with instant gratification. And of course, I’ll tie it all back to our Project Weight Loss journey and project management principles—because real, sustainable transformation is all about strategy and balance.

If you’ve ever struggled with cravings, felt stuck in cycles of self-sabotage, or wondered why your body resists change, this episode is for you. Tune in as we uncover the science behind lasting weight loss and the small shifts that make all the difference. 

Quote of the week: 

“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” – by Jana Kingsford

References:

Caloric Restriction and Metabolic Adaptation: A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that increasing dietary protein from 15% to 30% of energy intake, while keeping carbohydrate intake constant, led to a sustained decrease in ad libitum caloric intake. 

Dopamine and Eating Behavior: Research in Nature Neuroscience highlighted that dopamine depletion reduces food-related reward activity, indicating that dopamine plays a significant role in eating behavior and energy balance. 

Let’s go, let’s get it done.

Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org