Stress Hormones & Weight Loss

Cortisol is a stress hormone that has become very popular recently as a reason for weight gain and difficulty losing weight. Dieting and changing lifestyle habits are difficult enough, but when the body begins working against your efforts, the results is incredibly frustrating. The body produces cortisol as a response to stress. It has a function under extremely adverse conditions, but chronic stress can cause levels of this hormone to increase when there is no need.

Stress and Weight Gain

• The production of cortisol is the body's response to the perception that it is under attack. When stress becomes chronic, the body prepares for attack by producing this hormone. The hormone causes excess fat to be stored in the abdominal area for energy in an emergency. This is an amazing process of the body, but for most people there is no need to store fat in the stomach area. Evaluate the stress levels in your life to understand why you may be having difficulty losing weight. When you find that your diet is low in calorie and sensible, but you are still gaining weight in the stomach area, stress may be the cause.

Reducing Stress

• Eliminating or reducing stress is the first challenge for those who are experiencing this type of weight gain. Reducing stress is a very personal action. Some people feel stress when they are in a chaotic environment, but others may find this environment invigorating. To begin eliminating stress in your life, you must first become aware of the things that are causing it for you.
  Be more aware of your emotional responses to the stress triggers in your life and gauge your response to them. Stress can occur when the tasks that we must complete every day exceed our ability to get them done. Become aware of the chores or jobs that you have every day and if you are struggling to meet these challenges. Learn how to say no to others when you simply do not have the time to include another activity. This can help to reduce the amount of stress that you are under every day.
  Take some time for yourself every day. A few minutes spent in quiet contemplation or meditation can have a dramatic effect on your wellbeing and stress levels. Exercise is another stress reliever that can also have a positive impact on weight loss efforts. Find the things that give you pleasure whether it is a walk around the block or a soak in a bubble bath, and include them in your day.

Sensible Diet

• Eating right also affects stress levels. Good health is important for managing stress effectively. You will never be able to eliminate all stress from your life, but a healthy body is better able to handle it. The interesting fact is that eating a healthy diet can help to reduce your stress and weight-busting hormones, and encourage weight loss at the same time.