Relationship Between Stress and Weight Loss

       So many women today are overworked, overwhelmed, overstressed and as a result, overweight. In addition to weight gain, stress is also the cause of anxiety, depression and insomnia.

       According to the American Psychological Association, "More than half of all women say they are highly stressed." This is an increase of 25 percent from four years ago.

      The even bigger problem is that some women have become addicted to stress believing it to be synonymous with success. The mindset of many women is that if they aren't working every moment of the day then they are lazy. For others, it's a moral issue if they aren't pushing themselves into maximum overdrive. This is when stress and weight loss become a steady state of being.

According to Dr. Pamela Peeke, MD, even if you eat right and exercise, chronic stress and anxiety levels can prevent you from losing weight. In fact, you might even gain weight. Even worse, you will gain this weight primarily in your belly area.

How Stress Works

The human body responds to physiological and emotional stress the same way. The burst of adrenaline prepares the body for the flight or flight response. At the same time, the surge in cortisol tells the body to replenish the energy used even though very few calories were burned in response to the stressful event.

This can lead to food cravings as the body continues to produce cortisol as long as the stress continues.

Constant Stress and Weight Gain

The adrenaline stress response is necessary for the short term since you may die without it. The problem is when the stress response does not turn off which leads to a perpetual state of anxiety. When cortisol continues to be released into the system, fat storage begins.

Cortisol and Fat

The important role of cortisol in the body is to mobilize energy by tapping into the body's fat stores and delivering the energy to muscle tissue.

The problem is that with constant stress, cortisol will move fat from storage deposits and relocate it to fat cell deposits deep in your abdomen which is a dangerous area to store fat.

How to Stop The Fat Layering Cortisol Effect

1. First of all, stop the stress cycle.

2. Second, take small steps to relax and gain back control of your life.

3. Third, don't give up your power to anyone.

3. Fourth, know that you will get just as much euphoria from taking control of your life as you got from stress itself but without the spike in the stress hormone cortisol.

4. Fifth, learn to relax through meditation, yoga, or if necessary, a stress management course. Deep breathing also helps.

These calming tips will leave you feeling less stressed, recharged and ready to go!

About The Author

Robyn M. Cooke is the editor of http://www.Quick-Weight-Loss-Tips-for-Women.com which has everything you will need to reach your weight loss goals, including great advice, great products and the inspiration to succeed! Remember, the best investment you can make is in yourself!

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