Weight Loss Continues to Be Unreachable - Is Stress One of the Factors?

Weight Loss Continues to Be Unreachable - Is Stress One of the Factors?

I was recently at the grocery store and took knowledge of how the struggle for weight control fails miserably in our culture. There was a beautiful woman who was very overweight and ill even to walk through the store. If you have seen from the waist up, she looked like a healthy weight, but from the waist, it would be considered obese. It was a reminder that the simple formula of calories in versus calories not work for many men and women who are fighting this battle for years and years.

There must be something else! Metabolic imbalance? An imbalance in the gut? Toxic overload? Hormonal imbalance? Where do we start?

In last month's article, I gave you advice on how to manage stress during the holiday season. Of course, the holidays can be a time of year when our stress levels are at full capacity. In this article I want to focus on the physiological changes that occur with chronic stress that many of us experience every day and how it may impact on the struggle for a healthy weight.

Fight or life saving response -nature flight

The fight or flight response is the physiological reaction that occurs during periods of perceived threat - a threat to our survival. Throughout history when chased by a wild animal the human body needed to evolve to collect all the energy needed to win this hunt. Many systems will be modified to allow the muscular action necessary to flee. Some of the changes that will occur include:

Increased heart rate and blood pressure to get blood to the muscles and other organs.

Increased rate of breathing to allow enough oxygen to the brain and muscles.

Blood sugar and fat are released from storage to provide the necessary energy.

A cascade of hormones ultimately leads to an increase in cortisol levels to allow the body to remain at high alert.

Again, these are all important process when we run a wild animal. But today, in our high stress environment, it is the everyday stressors that cause these changes are chronic. Not only is this response to stress can increase cortisol levels when it can disrupt the natural rhythm of cortisol in the body.

Chronic dilemma fight or flight

Why is this a problem? Let's look at what happens when cortisol levels remain high.

blood sugar remains high.

Glucose is not easily used by the energy cells and the cells are less responsive to insulin.

sugar cravings and feelings of increased hunger.

Fat burning decreases.

Hormones including DHEA, testosterone, growth hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone are deleted.

Fat storage increases, raising abdominal fat and the creation of a fatty liver.

Triglycerides circulating in the blood increase.

So what's the problem? Your neuroendocrine system does not realize that you do not fight or flee! He continues to respond to stress with a multitude of reactions resulting in feelings of increased hunger and increased the desire for quick energy carbohydrates, allowing an increase in abdominal fat deposits.

Although you may be working hard to control your calorie intake and get adequate exercise, stress that you have become so accustomed to fighting your ability to succeed in your efforts to maintain a healthy weight.

What can you do about it? Become a better stress manager.

Eliminate stress! Good idea, right? Of course, this may be easier said than done. The fact is, however, that people who are the healthiest (and most successful) are not necessarily those who have less stress than the rest of us. They are people who are great to deal with the stress they are constantly bombarded with.

Your work - get great at managing stressors in your life! Not only will you reduce your risk of chronic disease, a smaller waist size is also an important result.

Steps you can take

Whenever you feel your body tensing or your blood pressure rising, simply stop and take three deep breaths.

Before starting a meal. Take three deep breaths.

Practice meditation. Spend at least five minutes each day sitting quietly, listening to your breathing or soothing music, or use a guided meditation (I love the application simply being).

Make a list of your priorities. When you are prompted to add something to your calendar before saying yes - think if it fits into your priorities.

Use positive self-talk to help you calm down and control your stress. Instead of saying "I can not do it," say "I'll do the best I can."

Practice yoga or tai chi.

Do something fun every day.

If you struggle to get the best health you desire, start managing your stress. I promise it will be worth the effort.