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Today, wild animals aren't attacking us, but we are facing huge stressors that affect our bodies exactly the same way as they always have, despite the fact that most of our modern-day stresses are not physical in nature and therefore don't burn any calories. Cortisol doesn't know that though, and it keeps coming, making you hungry—for simple, sugary carbs to supply you with instant energy. To make matters worse, moving the sugar we just ate from our blood to our muscles requires the hormone insulin. After stress, the body is filled with sugar and insulin, a fat-storing combination. Even worse, fat storage due to stress eating is usually centered around the midsection—visceral fat that has been linked to both diabetes and heart disease. Not good news for those who suffer from chronic stress. Loss of Control Many of us experience stress when we feel like life is out of our control or that we can't do what we need to do because of time or situational constraints. We may eat to fulfill emotional needs or to procrastinate. You may feel like we don't have enough time to fit in our workouts or lack the energy to exercise as long or intensely as you'd like. You may forget to pack a lunch, not have enough time to go to the grocery store or have reoccurring cravings for high-fat, calorie-dense foods. Fast food may seem like the only option that's both tasty and quick enough to scarf down over your lunch hour. But just like everything else, eating when stressed is a somewhat learned behavior. Yes, there is brain chemistry involved, but over time, we can rewire our brains to not let stress affect our eating and energy levels. We can also deal with it head on by creating a stress-reduction plan and following simple tips to deal with stress and its negative effects. When you have more control over your life, you'll find that it's easier to stick to a healthy eating and workout plan. Eating better, exercising and combating stress—it's a combination to prevent weight gain and enhance weight loss. Create a Stress-Reduction Plan The first step to creating a stress-relief plan is realizing that you have too much stress in your life. First, take this online test to see if you are overly stressed. If you are, make a list of your stressors. Knowing what these stressors are is the first step to figuring out how to deal with them. Now identify one or two stressors that are within your control. Ask yourself if there's anything you can do to make your life easier. Is it looking for a different job? Getting up 20 minutes earlier so that you can miss the rush hour commute? Delegating some household chores to your children or significant other? So often we suffer from stress without ever thinking about the problem long enough to find a solution. Continued › |
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Health & Wellness Articles › Stress ReliefBeat Stress, Weigh LessThe Connection Between Stress and Weight Gain-- By Jennipher Walters, Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness InstructorSparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
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Jennipher Walters
Jennipher is a certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She blogs regularly about her own fitness adventures at www.fitbottomedgirls.com. See all of Jenn's articles. |
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Member Comments
Keep mind and weight under control. - 10/5/2012 12:08:35 AM
Thanks guys!
Tanya - 5/30/2012 8:19:22 PM
- 4/23/2012 11:59:36 AM
e from weight loss hypnotherapist Kristin Volk Funk (author of "As Thin as You Think") has certainly helped me manage my stress:
"My grandparents certainly had a lot more stress in their lives than I (two World Wars, the Great Depression, immigrating alone from foreign lands with little or no money, lack of modern medicine), but I can't remember them ever complaining of being "stressed". Think back...how often did the elders in your life say they were "stressed"?
Before 1950, the word "stress" was a term used only in physics to describe one force pushing against another. At some point, it started being used to describe an emotional state and quickly caught on as a "go to" word to describe everyday events.
Is it possible that one of the reasons people today are feeling so stressed is because they are labeling themselves as such? Happiness is only a few words away.
Try substituting "stress" with words such as "busy" or "fulfilled" in your inner and outer speech and enjoy the immediate positive results. Here are some thoughts to substitute:
"I'm super busy today and I love being busy"
"My day is filled with activities that I enjoy"
"Today, I have many opportunities to feel useful"
"I'm so grateful to have (kids, work, chores) that give my life meaning and purpose"
"I do what I love and I love what I do" "
Source: Volk Funk, Kristen. "December News, Events, and Cooking Tip." New Health Visions (15 Dec. 2011). Print. - 1/15/2012 2:07:17 PM