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27
Dec 2009

Stress, Cortisol and Weight Gain

posted in: health

What’s one of the first things you do when you’re stressed, besides pray? EAT!!! Ladies, let’s be honest for a moment. When we’re under any kind of stress healthy eating is the last thing we want to do. Most of the time we look for comfort food like sweets, salty and or fried foods. These are foods that make us feel good when we eat them.

Did you know that with chronic stress you’re prone to gaining weight? The body is a unique work of art. In response to stress or a stressful situation the body secrets a hormone called cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone.”  Cortisol has several functions:

  • Regulates blood sugar
  • Aids in energy production
  • Decreases inflammation (swelling)
  • Helps the immune system
  • Promotes healing.

Any kind of stress causes the body to release cortisol. The different types of stress include but are not limited to:

  • Environmental
  • Chemical
  • Physical
  • Psychological
  • Biochemical

Regardless of the type of stress, it produces the same physiological results, increase cortisol secretion.  Studies have shown that stress and increase cortisol levels tend to cause fat deposition in the abdominal (belly) area. Here are some physiological results of increased cortisol levels related to stress:

  • Decrease metabolism- despite eating the same amount of food you may still gain weight when stress because too much cortisol slows down your metabolism.
  • Cravings- Chronic stress often times stimulate non- healthy cravings thus leading to additional weight gain.
  • Blood Sugar- Increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can lead to mood swings and fatigue.
  • Emotional Eating- As if unhealthy food wasn’t enough, now you’re eating because of nervous energy. Snacking and munching when you’re not really hungry.
  • Fast Food- When stressed who wants to cook. Food on the go is the way to go…NOT.

So what’s the solution? I’m so glad you asked. As health and fitness enthusiast the first thing I would suggest is… EXERCISE. That’s right ladies as stress out as you may feel there are so many benefits to exercising. Not just physical but mental also, read Feelin Good in 20.

Reduce the stress, if possible in efforts to normalize the cortisol level with meditation, attitude changes and last but not least rest. Sometimes you just need to rest and let it go.

2009 is almost over and I really want you re-evaluate some things in your life that may be causing you undue stress; friends, family, bills, relationships anything that you may have been stressed about this year. Focus on letting it go and trusting your spirit and do what is best for you! If you don’t take care of you who will? You may lose a few pounds in the process.

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