Stress is the enemy.
High levels of stress are reported at alarming levels in our society. Stress is absolutely everywhere and sometimes there is no way to hide from it. We are over-committing, overworked population that simply has stress inducing events and scenarios at every corner. This stress is making you fat.
Combining stress with a weight loss goal is like trying to drive a car with a flat tire. After a little while the car is going to stop moving. And worse, you will probably be causing more damage to the vehicle itself if you continue to drive the car on that tire.
Here are the reasons how stress is making you fat…
- Cortisol is chronically elevated leading to poor glucose control leading to poor cravings.
- Decreased insulin output and sensitivity causes the body to store fat.
- Ghrelin levels rise during high stress and induce overeating to compensate for reward pathways in the brain.
- Decreased thyroid output causes a decrease in overall metabolic rate and in some cases, causes hypothyroidism.
Chronic, long term stress can cause hormone dysfunction and lead to weight gain. Our bodies main priority during periods of stress is to free energy stores. The fight or flight phenomenon.
This long term stress is dangerous. It wreaks havoc on blood sugar regulation. Stress not only can pack on the extra pounds, but can put you at risk for developing metabolic diseases and conditions such as Pre-diabetes and/or Type II diabetes.
Is stress making you fat?
Marissa is a licensed Occupational Therapist, certified personal trainer, and weight loss specialist living in Baltimore, MD.
