This New York Times op-ed by Nicholas Kristof, “Addicted to Exercise?” explores research done on the pleasure centers of the brain and reinforces some of the solutions I teach at OnePinky.com, healthy weight through healthy body image. Kristof shares research showing that both our vices (like food addictions/alcoholism) and virtues (like giving/sharing and exercise) stimulate the same ‘high’ in the brain’s pleasure centers. So, a timely question:

Can we choose vice or virtue for the ‘highs’ we crave? Answer: Yes, you can and OnePinky helps women everyday do that.

This article comes on the heels of my last blog about the death of Amy Winehouse. Amy’s tragic death tells us the fatal implications of addictive behavior and low self-esteem. Her autopsy confirms that her addictions led to her demise and it’s clear that she suffered from incredibly low self esteem.

My question on vice of virtue arises because this article proves both virtue and exercise can excite you with a ‘high’ as strong as hedonistic behavior (food/drug/alcohol addiction). In other words, exercise and giving to others/sharing/connecting can ‘pump-up’ the brain’s pleasure juices as much as any destructive addictions give you.

The studies describes rats fed foods like cheesecake and chocolate and showed differences in brain circuitry after just 40 days. These foods triggered cravings that rewire the rat’s brain’s pleasure circuits to amplify that craving: Actually rewiring the brain to increase cravings. The impact was that the pleasure centers of their brains were numbed, so they needed to gobble even more cheesecake to generate the same satisfaction. Whether its sugar or heroin, the body steadily ratchets up the quantity necessary to provide the same high.

Just think of it as, ‘I can’t get no satisfaction’. Or the vicious cycle my work helps you get out of:  Poor body image –> low self esteem –> mistreatment of food . . . and it starts all over again.

But, the good news is that research indicates that our brains move us toward vices, but also toward our virtues. In recent years, researchers have found that generosity isn’t always a sacrifice; instead, it often exhilarates us.

In one set of experiments at the University of Oregon young women hooked up to brain scanners were presented with modest amounts of money. Sometimes they were given the chance to donate to charity, and sometimes they were given additional money.

Their pleasure centers lit up when they received money, as one might expect — but even more when they gave money away.  About half of the women seemed to derive as much pleasure from giving money as from receiving it.

Perhaps all this research will lead to new tools to fight drug addiction, alcoholism and help the obesity struggle. For me, the most wonderful insight is that it does appear that giving is as important as receiving.  And that you can get just as  ‘high’ from exercising and connecting with other as you would from addictions to food, drugs and alcohol.

On the basis of this latest brain research, as well as practical experience, let’s acknowledge this profound truth: altruism and generosity can be pleasurable. These practices can lead you to a better body image and mitigate destructive addictive behaviors.

What do you think of this study? I welcome your feedback.

It’ll be fun—pinky promise.

Just in case you have not noticed, there are a lot of women out there who have poor body image.   So much so that their negative body image makes them either hide or loathe the reflection they see in photographs of themselves. So if posting a headshot for a blog or profile is not comfortable for many women, we have another idea for you.

OnePinky has a long history of relevance for me, (please feel free to go to http://onepinky.com/about-us/ and find out about OnePinky?) and we have found that women have been more than willing to send a pinky photo…

Wouldn’t it be fun to post a photo of your pinky?

Posting a picture of your pinky is taking a step toward loving yourself and self esteem building. I hear a lot of women making fun of their photo, however, I have yet to hear one make her pinky finger wrong.

You can post your pinky plain-Jane, draw her a face, dress her up, or even give her props or costumes. Go wild! What would you wear if you truly loved your body today? Show the world—with your pinky.

So post those pretty pinkies. And why not share your own pinky promises, pledges, or swears from childhood? You remember:

I won’t tell a soul. Pinky swear!

Let’s be best friends forever. Pinky promise.

I pinky promise to never like Billy. He’s your boyfriend!

Originally, a person who broke a pinky promise was supposed to cut off his or her pinky. Now that’s not very loving! Today’s pinky pledgers are usually kids or close friends who cross pinkies to signify an important promise… one that can’t be taken back. Ever.

I pinky swear to love myself for who I am.

My body is my home and I will always treat it with care. Pinky promise.

I pinky promise to let go of bad body image!

Let’s take the Pinky Pledge to love our bodies and lead our daughters by example. Pinky swear!

Remember, a pinky promise is one that cannot be broken! Do you promise to love your pinky?

Send me your own pinky picture to Laura@OnePinky.com , and if you have a pinky story add it to your caption.

Don’t have a pinky story? Share what your pinky might think or say in your caption.  If your pinky could talk, what would she say? Would she tell you how beautiful she thinks you are, how ghastly she thinks those tent-tunics you use to cover your lovely self up are? Maybe she’d beg for a new nail color, or tell you jokes about your level of jointed-ness. Or share your pinky promise to yourself.

Love what you are learning, how you are growing and shrinking at the same time…

Some words of love…a Swedish proverb I love….

“Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, sigh less, breathe more, hate less, love more and all good things are yours”.

And now some words from me…an article I was reviewing today that I wrote last year…that I think needs to be shared. I hope you get some value Leah…Keep up your great work. You changed your relationship with “being on track”….a very powerful place to be.

Glad you are back Leah and I know that you never left. It may have felt like it and you never left….

Beauty is an Inside Job

One of the worst outcomes of poor body image is that it often becomes systemic – taking all of one’s self esteem and day-to-day joy-of-life with it.

If only we could say, my big butt is not my best feature, and love the rest of ourselves completely.  My big butt is not who I am; for many of us, we will allow thoughts and feelings about a body part to run our lives.

Our outside body starts to kill our inside spirit.

We must come to the conclusion that the popular idea, sold by millions of weight-loss experts and fads, that we will lose weight and then love ourselves simply isn’t working, is it?

Usually you get one of the following results:

a) You can’t put aside the self loathing and stop continue to overeat.

b) You can’t, “love the new skin you’re in,” and even though you might lose a few pounds, you gain it back immediately.

c)  The self loathing didn’t fade with the pounds.  You do lose weight, but you still don’t really love yourself or believe you’re beautiful and magnificent.

So here’s the big What If.

What if you make weight loss an inside job?

Just try it on for size:

1)  Remember, popularity is when other people like me.  Happiness is when I LIKE ME.  Say this to yourself out loud right now, I like me today!  Because (i.e., I am wise, I am smart, I am generous, etc.) … _______________________, __________________, __________________.

2)  You are what you eat. So don’t eat crap. Stop hanging out with people who deplete your energy and your spirit.  Just for today!

3) Enjoy a day of fun physical activity – whatever level you are at, and eat great foods today just because you can.

Because the truth is that beauty is an inside job!

B e

E verything

A wesome

U nique

T errifically

Y ou

Because you are the only YOU that you get!
Have a great day and sending you a big hug from California.

Live, Learn and Let Go Sweetie.

XO, Laura