Thursday, November 29, 2012

Does Stress Cause Weight Gain?

Yes it does!  Stress is not just something that we feel emotionally... our bodies actually react to it! When we enter into a state of stress, our bodies (more specifically our adrenal glands) start preparing for a disaster.  And the way they prepare for a disaster is by releasing cortisol and STORING CALORIES! And we all know what stored calories turns into... FAT! Storing calories and added fat... now THAT is a disaster!  

So think about this... if you are in a constant state of stress, your body is constantly storing calories and not letting them go!  And guess where it likes to store all these calories and fat.... YOUR TUMMY AREA!!  Cortisol will take the fats and sugars and stack them near  the liver, which is on the waist and onto the belly.  Ever heard of the "Spare Tire"?  Well, that's where it comes from.  


 And the worst part....our belly fat doesn’t just “sit there” doing nothing; it’s almost as if this fat is itself an endocrine organ that reacts to the stress response, spurring still more abdominal fat to be deposited. So the cycle continues unless we take steps to heal the adrenal imbalance.  

So HOW do we start healing our adrenal imbalance?  We have to STOP STRESSING!  That should be easy right?  No, it's not easy.  But we have to start taking steps in that direction.  Unless, of course, you love your love handles! Yeah, didn't think so.

Things You can Do To Start the Healing

  1. Eating Right and Regularly.  Click here for a great article on Eating To Support Your Adrenal Glands.
  2. Sleep!!!!  You need to get 7-9 hours every night.  Preferably 8-9.  I know you've heard this over and over, but you would be amazed at your weight loss if you just get on a healthy sleep schedule.  I will write another post about the importance of sleep.  
  3. Exercise!
  4. YOGA!  Breathing and meditation is a HUGE way to get our stress under control.  Whether it is for 5 minutes in the morning or before bed or you take a class, take time for yourself to quite your mind and "Let it go!"
 
 Read THIS awesome article to see where I got a lot of my information from.  It has added tips and explains the effects of stress in greater detail.

Day 4: Yoga!

Oh My Goodness!  I had such a great yoga practice today.  It totally kicked my booty!  I burned 411 calories in just a little over an hour.  I didn't do any extra cardio because I ran out of time at the gym.  (My gym is awesome and they watch my kid for 2 hours every day!)  Much needed"Mommy Time".  But I still got a great workout in. 



16 comments:

  1. Yoga really helps and I feel relaxed.

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  2. GREAT INFORMATION I WILL GIVE THIS A TRY

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  3. This is great. If find that Now vitamin brand "Thyroid energy or Cortisol" Works to help bring the stress levels down and help balance the body. That is what I used to help myself. Do you have a youtube channel?

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    1. Hi Kay Miley, you mentioned that you use Now brand vitamins Thyroid Energy or Cortisol. Which one worked better or did you use them together? I don't gave a thyroid problem but it's the hormones that are really not allowing me to lose the fat in my belly. Thank you!

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  4. Hi Unknown. I have the same hormonal stress problem that ends up in my belly and even after working out it doesn't go away and I also don't have thyroid problems. Checkout Swanson online and you can find out about these 2 vitamins. Or go to Dr Weil online and you could find out naturopathic ways to destress your hormones. I'm reading up on that and will post again if I try and find something that works for me. Good luck!

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  5. You sound such a lovely person - and very knowledgeable too! Thanks so much for all this info.

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  6. I couldn't even spend time here because the polka dot background was so disturbing. If I have to squint and flex to read something, it is not helpful, relaxing, motivating, or encouraging. Forget it and move on.

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  7. http://ideasuandme.blogspot.com/2013/07/stress-management-ways-to-deal-with-it.htm
    yeah Stress is a big word to look into, even the above blog have some usefull tips.

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  8. Comment towards Janet on May 6. Wow, such nice words! Talk about stress! Someone needs a little dose of kindness added to their tea.

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  9. Why do people have to be evil for no reason???... goshhhh! This is the best information I have found yet! Thanks so much for great answers, I was wondering why it's so hard to get rid of my tummy,but I do have 5 little ones:) come check me out guys glamphrodisiac.com and follow on Instagram @glamphrodisiac thanks sweeties!

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  10. Why do people have to be evil for no reason???... goshhhh! This is the best information I have found yet! Thanks so much for great answers, I was wondering why it's so hard to get rid of my tummy,but I do have 5 little ones:) come check me out guys glamphrodisiac.com and follow on Instagram @glamphrodisiac thanks sweeties!

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