Stress and Weight Loss

Yes it is true.......if you take in fewer calories though out
your day, and you exercise more you will most likely lose weight. There are
  however other factors which often complicate this very simply equation. Two of
  these factors are having too much bad stress and getting too little sleep. When
  you are dealing with a lot of stress everyday whether it be personal or work
  related your body goes into fight or flight mode. While in this state your body
  naturally produces cortisol. This is a hormone which helps to store belly fat.
  This was a good thing back when we were hunting for our food and we didn't know
  when we would get to eat again........obviously we don't have that problem now!
  If your body is constantly producing cortisol you will continue to store fat
  (not a good thing if you are trying to lose weight). One way to help lower
  cortisol levels before you eat is to simply take a few deep breaths while
  preparing your food. Try it. You will notice a difference in how you feel
  before you even sit down to eat. Another way is to engage in some type of
  exercise every day even if it is only for ten minutes! Humans are meant to
  move, we are not designed to sit all day going from car to office. Try even a
  ten minute walk around the block after you get home from work or do intervals
  of running on the spot combined with marching for one minute increments for ten
  minutes. I promise that you will notice a difference in how you feel as well as
  how you eat your meal to follow. Let's face it, there will always be stress in
  this money driven, faster is better world. If you want to be successful with
  your weight loss as well as your weight maintenance, you need to look at how
  you are managing your stress. I invite you to begin with these two simple
  tools.
Stay tuned for my next blog on sleep and weight loss.