If you’ve been stressed by work, school, or your life at home and have noticed that your pants are fitting a bit tighter than usual, you’re not alone. Many people, both men and women, can experience weight changes during particularly stressful times. These weight changes might level out over time, but it can be frustrating and be a source of insecurity in the meantime. There are several ways stress can affect your body and cause weight gain, and we’ll walk you through what they are, and how you can help care for your body.
Stress Hormones Can Make You Gain Unwanted weight
When we’re stressed, our bodies can release an excess of the hormone cortisol, which in turn can cause weight gain in men and women alike. This cortisol is released when our bodies feel a fight or flight response during times of stress, and cortisol is meant to counteract the other stressful hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. While epinephrine and norepinephrine levels return to normal relatively quickly, cortisol levels stay higher for longer. As cortisol’s main function in your body is the preservation of energy, too much cortisol for too long can increase your appetite and store unnecessary fat. Weight gain due to elevated cortisol level not only causes weight gain, it also affects where that weight is distributed on your body. Stress fat, or weight gain from excess levels of cortisol, often stores on your lower abdomen, causing a stubborn lower belly pooch that can be difficult to get rid of.
Stress Affects Your Eating Habits
In addition to elevated cortisol levels in your body increasing your appetite, there are other physiological factors of stress that can affect your eating habits, causing unwanted weight changes. When we’re stressed, we often gravitate toward food high in sugars and fats in order to get a quick dopamine release. Additionally, oftentimes during stressful periods you might not have time or energy to make a balanced, home cooked meal, relying instead on fast food and other convenient options to make sure we’re getting fed. While it’s important to still make sure you’re eating even when going through especially busy or stressful times, oftentimes fast foods don’t provide you with the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to maintain a healthy state, which can cause weight gain.
How Can I Lose The Weight?
If you’ve recently gained weight from stress, or have had difficulty losing weight for a long time, come to Revive Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA. Our team of doctors and weight loss experts can help come up with a specialized plan to suit you and your lifestyle to help you lose the weight, and keep it off. Make an appointment today!
