In your first 90-minute coaching session, we don’t focus heavily on nutrition tips (that comes later) but instead, we dive deeper—into your mind. I sketch out the structure of your brain and introduce you to the concept of your three brains. Based on the Triune Brain Model by neuroscientist Paul MacLean, this framework explains how your brain evolved in layers, each shaping your behaviours. Understanding this is the first step to transforming your relationship with food and health.
The Neocortex
The Neocortex, the realm of conscious decision-making and rational thought, is your go-to brain for setting goals, crafting strategies, and making logical choices about food and exercise. It’s the brain you take to work—the planner, the problem-solver, the strategist. Yet, under the weight of emotional stress, it can be swiftly overridden by the powerful pull of the Limbic System.
The Emotional Brain
The Emotional Brain or Limbic System fuels your emotions, cravings, and behaviours. It’s where your feelings take root and compel you to act. Every day, I hear my clients express critical statements about themselves that highlight the immense shame and pressure they place on their own shoulders.
- “I’ve tried everything, and nothing ever works for me.”
- “I have no willpower. I can’t seem to stick to anything.”
- “I always fall off track. I just can’t keep the momentum going.”
- “I’ll never lose this weight. It’s always been a struggle.”
- “I’m not strong enough to resist my cravings.”
- “I’ve failed too many times, so I don’t even know where to start anymore.”
- “I always sabotage myself. It feels like I’m my own worst enemy.”
These negative self-judgements aren’t just thoughts; they are a form of emotional weight, often more crippling than the physical weight clients struggle to lose. This relentless criticism activates feelings of shame, compounding the struggle to lose weight. A wise psychologist I worked with said: “If I had a pill for shame, I’d be a millionaire by now.” While I don’t have that pill, I do know that coaching acts as a guardian of your emotions.
The Reptilian Brain
When you become overwhelmed with stress, your Reptilian Brain—a deeply instinctual part of your mind focused on survival—springs into action. It is like an internal parent, always looking out for you, guiding you through stressful moments to ensure your survival. It activates the body’s systems to release energy, ensuring that you can respond quickly to immediate threats. In early vertebrates, it was focused solely on feeding, avoiding danger, and reproducing. But today, it encompasses the brainstem, basal ganglia, and cerebellum—regions responsible for your instincts, habits, and motor control. No longer limited to basic functions like smell, this primal brain is intricately connected with your Limbic System and Neocortex.
Effective Weight Loss
Effective weight loss isn’t just about food and exercise; it’s about addressing all three layers of the brain. We need to soothe and heal the Emotional Brain with support and coaching, engage the Neocortex with education, goal setting, and accountability, and acknowledge that while we have modern tools, we’re still working with the ancient programming of our Reptilian Brain.
By understanding how the three brains interact, we can begin to unravel the deeper reasons behind weight struggles. The true alchemy – the transformation – lies beyond logic. The magic unfolds when we delve into the brain, untangling thought patterns and healing triggers at their source. It’s here, in the dance between your brains, that the solutions are born, unlocking sustainable change.
Finally, it’s time to treat ourselves with kindness and stop the cycle of self-criticism. Learn to care for the body and mind you’ve been given, nurturing them in ways that will make you stronger, healthier, and happier. This is your opportunity to prioritise yourself and embrace lasting transformation.Let’s make this the year you succeed. Contact us now to get started!
