Why Stress is Causing your Weight Gain?
Daily living causes stress, and these days that level of stress is at an all-time high.
Stress wreaks havoc on the adrenal glands – the small endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys. These glands are key players in initiating our “fight or flight” response and regulate the stress response through the synthesis of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
When we’re in this stressful state of high alert most of the time, these hormones are being constantly pumped out, which can suppress immunity, hinder proper digestion, and increase both blood sugar and blood pressure.
And guess what?
An imbalance in blood sugar levels is one of the ROOT CAUSES OF WEIGHT GAIN.
Over time, this constant stressed-out state takes a major toll on our health.
This stress sends a message to our body to hold off on functions that are not essential, such as digestion, until the stressor has been removed and our body is safe to rest and repair. This means that those functions may constantly take second priority, leaving us more vulnerable to inflammation and disease.
Before we get into natural to ways to support your adrenals , take this FREE quiz “Is Stress Hindering My Weight Loss” to find out how stress is sabotaging your sexy jeans.
Plus, you’ll receive immediate quiz results with FREE TIPS to take control of your stress rather than let stress control you!
NATURAL WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR ADRENALS
We may not be able to remove all forms of stress in life, but we can control how we perceive that stress and how we respond to it.
Eat clean and whole foods.
Eat a balanced diet, including nutritious sources for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Eat meals on a regular schedule and limit the amount of meals you have “on the go.”
Get adequate sleep.
Aim for a regular sleep schedule and try to get 7–9 hours of sleep per night. Lack of sleep can cause a significant increase in cortisol levels (echem… the stress hormone). Unfortunately, elevated cortisol levels may make falling asleep more difficult. Try taking some time to do something relaxing right before bed to help your body unwind and allow your adrenals to get their beauty sleep!
Reduce caffeine consumption and drink WATER
Caffeine intake has been shown to initiate a stress response by increasing the amount of cortisol released by the adrenals. When paired with outside stressors, caffeine consumption can lead to excessive cortisol production. Chronically elevated cortisol levels may contribute to high blood glucose and decreased insulin sensitivity, making obesity and type 2 diabetes more likely. So instead, hydrate and drink plenty of fresh, filtered water each day.
Reduce consumption of refined carbohydrates.
Refined carbohydrates can stress the adrenals and lead to a disrupted insulin response. These foods are known to rapidly elevate blood sugar levels (remember, one of the root causes of weight gain!?). Stress hormones can also increase circulating blood sugar, so it’s easy to see how this combination can be harmful to your health, especially if it occurs frequently.
Give your adrenals a break thru R&R
Activate your parasympathetic nervous system and engage in calming activities like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises.
So, what now?
You may be saying to yourself, that's way easier said than done.
Would you like a solution?
TAKING ACTION and STAYING ACCOUNTABLE are necessary to help you achieve success and I'm here to help.
I work with women every day like you who feel overwhelmed with being a busy working mama and trying to juggle it all. My Mastermind program called The LoYo Method, helps countless women to understand how stress is affecting their lives, and how to reduce their stress so that they can lose stubborn weight and learn how to eat intuitively rather than emotionally (“stress eating).
If you’re tired of wanting to pull your hair out, struggling with sleep deprivation and you can’t seem to get the belly fat off your body, schedule a BREAKTHROUGH CALL TODAY. Together, we will explore your specific challenges, see what’s holding you back and you’ll walk away with clarity and simple, sustainable action steps and tools you can use right away to start minimizing your stress.
Jessica Kishpaugh is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Life Coach and owner of LoYo Wellness in Bergen County NJ (www.loyowellness.com). Jessica specializes in healthy weight loss, intuitive eating, recovering from emotional eating, stress reduction and mindfulness. Book your FREE Breakthrough Call HERE.