Chronic stress may produce any number of reactions, including weight gain or weight loss, depending on the specifics of the case. With regards to stress-related weight loss, in most cases this effect is a result of diminished appetite and eating and is therefore within our conscious control in most cases.
Increased eating due to stress can cause weight gain, but in many cases stress-related weight gain is a result of rising stress hormone levels and is not something one can take conscious control of.
In many cases, high stress levels, particularly over an extended period of time will lead to an increased level of the adrenal hormone, cortisol, in the blood. Cortisol has several effects, but in relation to weight issues, the primary effect is to promote the storage of fat in the lower abdomen. It is believed that this effect has a survival purpose in that if one were subjected to harsh conditions for a long period of time, the body would need to conserve energy and save it in the form of stored fat.
In many cases, the deposition of fat around the midsection will motivate people to severely restrict their diets and/or to begin working out harder than usual. This is often counterproductive when the underlying problem is high cortisol due to stress.
Heavy exercise and calorie restriction can cause further stress on the body, leading to even more cortisol production, and more deposition of fat in the belly.
It is best to go with a relatively low-intensity type of exercise such as walking or swimming when you are under a lot of stress, as this will minimize cortisol production. Heavy exercise will only increase the body's stress and lead to further cortisol production and weight gain. It is also a good idea to be sure to eat a reasonable amount of protein and consume a nutrient-rich diet made up mostly of vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts.
While it might be tempting to restrict calorie intake as a means of burning off the belly fat, severe calorie restriction leads to more cortisol production, so it is a better choice to eat a healthy diet with some protein in order to minimize cortisol levels. This will allow your body to gradually burn off the abdominal fat.
A healthy diet combined with a low-intensity exercise program will allow your body to handle stress better and over time your cortisol levels will normalize and you'll burn away the fat.
Increased eating due to stress can cause weight gain, but in many cases stress-related weight gain is a result of rising stress hormone levels and is not something one can take conscious control of.
In many cases, high stress levels, particularly over an extended period of time will lead to an increased level of the adrenal hormone, cortisol, in the blood. Cortisol has several effects, but in relation to weight issues, the primary effect is to promote the storage of fat in the lower abdomen. It is believed that this effect has a survival purpose in that if one were subjected to harsh conditions for a long period of time, the body would need to conserve energy and save it in the form of stored fat.
In many cases, the deposition of fat around the midsection will motivate people to severely restrict their diets and/or to begin working out harder than usual. This is often counterproductive when the underlying problem is high cortisol due to stress.
Heavy exercise and calorie restriction can cause further stress on the body, leading to even more cortisol production, and more deposition of fat in the belly.
It is best to go with a relatively low-intensity type of exercise such as walking or swimming when you are under a lot of stress, as this will minimize cortisol production. Heavy exercise will only increase the body's stress and lead to further cortisol production and weight gain. It is also a good idea to be sure to eat a reasonable amount of protein and consume a nutrient-rich diet made up mostly of vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts.
While it might be tempting to restrict calorie intake as a means of burning off the belly fat, severe calorie restriction leads to more cortisol production, so it is a better choice to eat a healthy diet with some protein in order to minimize cortisol levels. This will allow your body to gradually burn off the abdominal fat.
A healthy diet combined with a low-intensity exercise program will allow your body to handle stress better and over time your cortisol levels will normalize and you'll burn away the fat.
About the Author:
Dr. George Best is a holistic healthcare practitioner in San Antonio, Texas. For additional weight loss information and access to a revolutionary program to help you follow-through with your diet and exercise plans, please visit Dr. Best's site on natural weight loss.
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