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Member Comments for the Article:
Can Stress Cause Weight Gain?
What the Research Really Shows
30 Comments
JGMARIE80
4/16/2013 2:55:41 AM
When I'm stressed, I can't sleep. When I can't sleep, I feel more tired . I used to eat when I'm stressed. I started to do some meditation but it has not worked for me, yet. I started taking my dog for short walks and it has helped lessen my stress level . My dog is losing weight... But I am stuck.
With my body, I have found mild stress causes me to gain because I nervously pick at food, but extreme stress makes me lose weight because I just can't eat. The latter has happened only twice in my 76 tears.
This article did little to address the confusion about the stress response of higher cortisol levels and its contribution to inflammatory effects of abdominal adipose tissue, poor glucose regulation and weight gain.
....if stress from family and boyfriend cause you a 20 pound weight loss I pray that you make some adjustments in those relationships. That is far from healthy and you deserve better.
Part of this article could be worded more clearly. Studies may not have shown that herbal supplements are effective, but studies certainly have shown that cortisol levels influence weight & sleep patterns.
Comments like "stay away from the refrigerator" show a lack of knowledge and understanding of real health problems. I don't gain weight when I'm stressed but I certainly do whenever I have to take a course of prednisone which is related to cortisol; last time it was 30 pounds in three months and it took me two years to get rid of the weight. Fortunately my chronic illness is currently well controlled on other medication, but I would be very careful about judging others when I know nothing about their personal circumstances.
Some have commented on how stress causes them to lose weight while others find it causes them to gain weight. I'm wondering if this needs to be taken one step further....the kind of stress or mindset of the person involved?
BABYBUT
2/24/2010 9:44:17 PM
Stress can come at all levels and I am struggling to remember that it is okay for me to come first every now and again.
For unusual circumstances (like 2 years of sustained "fight or flight"), I think cortisol flooding definitely impacts weight gain. I gained 60 pounds within the 1st year of my daughter's 2 years of cancer treatment, and prior to then I would have found it nearly impossible to force myself to gain that much so quickly if I tried. I don't think it is all as simple as the equation of intake/output under extreme circumstances of sustained high stress. I'll look further at adrenal fatigue syndrome, because that seems very possible for me. I feel so thrilled on the one hand that my daughter is healthy and thriving and so sad on the other that my own health has gone downhill in order to save her life.
BUZZYBEE2
1/1/2010 7:10:44 AM
its how to balance your stress levels,im learning all the time.
I think for me, stress definately can make it easier for me to escape with food...for some people, stress makes them NOT hungry...depends on the person I guess :)
When my husband was sick I was superstressed. Because I was so worried about him I dropped the ball and started eating very badly. I gained lots of weight. Now I can't seem to get it off.
I know everyone has to make there own decisions regarding there bodies and what they put into it. I am of the opinion that only I can lose weight for me. The only thing I have control over is what I put in my mouth. However, I am not always that strong especially when I am stressed or tired.
Adrenal Fatigue is real. So few "Medical Doctors" refer to Adrenal Fatigue as a condition. However, many of the common occurances that happens when we have Adrenal Fatigue is thryoid problems, weight gain, hormonal embalances, autoimmune diseases. Instead of jumping in and taking a "magical pill" because the TV commercial says it's wonderful, you have to do your own research.
I am a healthy 44 yo female. I am on no medications but I have quite a few of the symptoms that is outlined for Adrenal Fatigue. I did the research and discovered www.womentowomen.com This site has copius amounts of research and information regarding, pms, menopause, adrenal fatigue, insulin resistance and more. It is a medical practice that is in Maine and does have Medical Doctors on staff. Christiane Northrup, MD is one of the founders of the clinic.
Just my 2 cents worth. I am feeling much better now that I have began the pharmaceutical grade supplements. Along with the personal program meal plan. (What used to work for me in my 20's and 30' no longer work for me in my 40's). No secrets of what is in the supplements it's all outlined on the website.
I disagree. I think that stress causes you to lose weight. take me for example, i've such a stressful life with family and my boyfriend and i've lost over 20 lbs. i use to weigh at least 110 - 115 but now i weight 98.6 lbs and i try to gain weight but it seems that i can't..i really need to gain weight. does anyone have any ideas?
SONJAVV
3/28/2009 6:13:12 PM
There are a lot of good comments in above article and responses. Stress definitely affects eating habbits. It would be great to be one of those persons who lose weight when stressed. You still have to work on your stress the same, but you haven't got the additional problem that you have put on so much weight. in the mean time. The solution is not all the pills, but hard work to change your habbits and it is not an easy task. You also need the support of people around you and if you are cooking for a family it is not easy to choose the right food for your weight loss..
