In a prior post, http://scottsrandombits.blogspot.com/2021/09/fundamental-errors-case-of-obesity.html, I posited that "obesity" or the process of excess fat accumulating is a function of the body's expression, in other words, likely a genetic function, rather than a defect in character or knowledge. In my opinion, no one likes to accumulate excess fat and shaming is not a solution.
I also commented that my weight does not seem to vary much, whether I exercise or not or whether I diet or not. Recent research from China seems to shed light on this issue. In a study published in a journal called Cell Metabolism, the authors focused on "healthy underweight" BMI (18.5 or lower). Expectations were that this group would be a high exercise, high food intake and good diet group. Instead they found lower food intake and lower activity levels, but accompanied by a resting rate that was "running hotter" - basically a high resting metabolism driven by elevated thyroid hormones.
This research confirms my basic experience. I'm fairly close to the "healthy underweight" BMI group. I have maintained this category regardless of exercise or eating. Further, I have seen that I eat less food, consume more cookies and sit around all day in meetings or research. I would think that my body would reflect these patterns and it doesn't. The answer is, I believe, in this concept of "running hotter."
I have consistently struggled with issues around "running hotter" - including lighter sleep, higher anxiety and feedback from an aryuvedic-style doctor who claimed that my the back of my throat looked "like a jungle, when it should look like a forest." He told me to give up caffeine. But, weirdly enough for someone "running hot," caffeine (particularly in the Italian espresso form) is my compulsion - not a good one for increasing sleep and reducing anxiety. This research illumined the compulsive aspect of caffeine - the high intake of caffeine levels compensate for my body's tendency to be at a lower activity level relative to others, i.e., when my activity picks up, my sense of shame drops down.
