How Stress Can Prevent You From Losing Weight

Stress out much? How do you know if you’re overstressed? Well, if you make a list of the things you need to do and just want to cry, that’s probably a sign that you’ve got a bit much on your plate. But how does stress relate to weight loss or gain?



Think of your body as an ecosystem. Your digestion affects your mood. Your water intake affects your blood pressure. We’re all connected. So when there is stress in your system, it will have an affect on the whole body.



Think of your body like a barrel. We put stress into that barrel in many forms.

• Chemicals can be stressful in the form of perfumes, cleaning products, petrochemicals and toxins in our water, air and soil.

• Emotions can create stress – think of the stresses associated with family, work, financial, health worries, etc.

• Physical stresses can result from over-exercising, a physically demanding job, or poor posture

• Our immune system is stressed when dealing with viruses, bacteria or allergies

• And of course food stresses like refined foods, additives, preservatives, etc.



Our barrel can only hold so much. When it gets overfilled, symptoms spill out. These could take the form of headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, or cancer just to name a few. And of course the great sign of imbalance – holding excess weight. So, how to lose weight and how to lose weight fast ?



Our bodies’ nervous system has two modes – sympathetic fight or flight mode, or parasympathetic rest and digest mode. They are like a light switch – if one is on the other is off. When our body is happy and content, we’re in ‘rest and digest.’ When we’re stressed, we’re in ‘fight or flight’ mode. When we’re in this fight or flight mode, stress hormones are released.



Whenever we are in this ‘fight or flight’ mode, our body doesn’t know when it’s going to get its next balanced meal, so it holds on to all stored sources of fat. Think about it - if you are in a war, a famine, in the way of a speeding train, or being chased by a bear, it’s not in your best interest to burn up your excess body fat as energy. Who knows how long that bear is going to have you cornered up the tree? So your body conserves its fat and will ultimately burn muscle as energy instead. It becomes difficult for you to lose weight.



Take a look at all the stresses you are dealing with on a regular basis. Are you in a constant state of releasing stress hormones or does your body have some downtime? Practice some natural stress relieving weight loss methods. Do yoga, meditation, have a bubble bath or take a nature walk instead to lose fat. Be sure to add some stress reducing activities into your day to find your way to your ideal weight!



Visit our site for more information on living a healthy and happy life at your ideal weight and get tips on health, fitness and losing weight at www.MindBodyFX.com. Also grab your FREE sneak preview of The MindBody FX Lifestyle book and our "Why You Can’t Lose Weight – and what you can do about it" Consumer’s Guide at http://www.MindBodyFX.com.