We know chronically high levels of cortisol lead to storage of abdominal fat. If you led a perpetually risky life where you had to maintain a high level of vigilance and were in constant fear of being caught would you be more likely to have a fat belly than your law-abiding virtuous twin who ate the exact same diet that you did?
I have always taken chances I don't really need to just for the thrill (nothing terrible, don't worry) and sometimes have a hard time talking myself down, even when there is nothing to be gained beyond proving to myself that I can do it. Something in my system likes risk for it's own sake and always has. Maybe it is as simple as a chemical addiction to whatever cascade happens when your heart quickens. Is there any evolutionary advantage for this? Or does the cautious, careful person always win in the end. In any case, I have no desire to get a fat belly, so I am now trying to consciously notice when I get amped up this way, and just pause and take a few deep breaths.
By the way, the type of risk that appeals to me is never random, like Russian roulette, but always something that appears to rely on my quick reflexes or nimble mind. Over time this just gets reinforced with continued positive results, so it is very hard to break the mindset. Being vain, I began worrying that this might have very undesirable physical effects like the cortisol-fat-storage one, which would hopefully be enough for me to change my ways...
By the way, I am intentionally being vague because I don't know that this is truly anonymous...someone who knew me and happened upon this site would surely recognize me from my posts.
Any thoughts?
I have always taken chances I don't really need to just for the thrill (nothing terrible, don't worry) and sometimes have a hard time talking myself down, even when there is nothing to be gained beyond proving to myself that I can do it. Something in my system likes risk for it's own sake and always has. Maybe it is as simple as a chemical addiction to whatever cascade happens when your heart quickens. Is there any evolutionary advantage for this? Or does the cautious, careful person always win in the end. In any case, I have no desire to get a fat belly, so I am now trying to consciously notice when I get amped up this way, and just pause and take a few deep breaths.
By the way, the type of risk that appeals to me is never random, like Russian roulette, but always something that appears to rely on my quick reflexes or nimble mind. Over time this just gets reinforced with continued positive results, so it is very hard to break the mindset. Being vain, I began worrying that this might have very undesirable physical effects like the cortisol-fat-storage one, which would hopefully be enough for me to change my ways...
By the way, I am intentionally being vague because I don't know that this is truly anonymous...someone who knew me and happened upon this site would surely recognize me from my posts.
Any thoughts?