Nov '24 • General discussion
Stress and Weight Loss!!!
Let’s talk about the hidden factor that could be slowing down your weight loss progress: stress. 😬 I talked about this on an Instagram video above but I thought it was an important topic especially for busy moms and women. I would love to have an indepth conversation on here around your stressors and how you mitigate them in real life scenarios. Most of us think of stress as just a mental or emotional challenge, but it actually affects your body’s ability to lose weight. Here's the science behind how stress can impact metabolism, cravings, and even fat storage. 🧬
When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol—often referred to as the 'stress hormone.' In short bursts, cortisol is helpful because it prepares your body to respond to a threat. But when stress is chronic and cortisol levels stay elevated for extended periods, it can disrupt your weight loss efforts in several ways:
1️⃣ Increases Appetite and Cravings: Chronic stress can ramp up your appetite, especially for sugary and high-fat 'comfort foods.' 🍩🍫 This is because cortisol increases the levels of another hormone, ghrelin, which signals hunger. Essentially, your body is trying to stockpile energy as a defense mechanism. It’s not just about willpower; your biology is pushing you toward those cravings.
2️⃣ Slows Down Metabolism: Elevated cortisol can interfere with thyroid function, slowing down your metabolism. 🐢 When your metabolism slows, your body burns fewer calories, making it harder to create a calorie deficit necessary for weight loss.
3️⃣ Promotes Fat Storage, Especially Belly Fat: Cortisol encourages the storage of visceral fat, which is the fat that accumulates around your abdomen. 😣 This type of fat is more harmful than subcutaneous fat because it wraps around vital organs and increases the risk of metabolic diseases.
4️⃣ Disrupts Sleep Patterns: Stress often leads to poor sleep, and lack of sleep affects hormones like ghrelin (which increases hunger) and leptin (which signals fullness), making it easier to overeat. 🛌😴 When you’re tired, you're also more likely to skip workouts or make unhealthy food choices.
But don’t worry! There are effective ways to combat stress and its impact on your weight loss goals:
- Prioritize relaxation: Incorporate techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to lower cortisol levels. 🧘♀️
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to keep hunger hormones balanced. 💤
- Stay active: Regular exercise can help manage stress, improve sleep quality, and support weight loss. 🏃♀️
Remember, weight loss isn’t just about calories in vs. calories out. Managing stress is a crucial part of the puzzle. 🧩 Take a moment today to breathe deeply and do something that helps you relax—you deserve it! 💆♀️
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Stress and Weight Loss!!!
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