Stress! If you have kids, a job, finances, friends, a car, computer, family, etc. you have stress. Basically, if you breathe you have stress! Unfortunately, stress has now become an acceptable way of life. If you are like me your stress goes beyond anxiety and discomfort. For me, stress made me ravenously hungry everyday. I wasn't lucky enough to loose my appetite. The higher the stress the more the scale inched up and up and UP! Just one more problem to my list of worries!
I decided to start researching why, hoping a better understanding of stress would help me reduce it and inevitably my increasing weight problem. I found that it wasn't just a lack of will power! The problem lies within our neuroendocrine system -- a brain-to-body connection that harkens back to evolutionary times and which helped our distant ancestors to survive. Though today the source of stress is most likely a stack of unpaid bill than a saber toothed tiger, but this system still activates a series of hormones whenever we feel threatened, even if just threatened by life.
These hormones are commonly known as the "fright or flight" hormones. Released during times of stress, "fright or flight" hormones include adrenalin (instant energy), CRH and cortisol.
Adrenalin and CRH, at first reduce appetite ( I think my body skips this stage!), but are then followed by cortisol which has the job of replenishing the body, elevating the appetite, after the stress has faded. This is when the cravings begin and you feel like you have no will power.
The key here is to learn to reduce your stress or handle it better so that your body does not enter "fright or flight" mode.
1. Exercise. Exercising burns calories, counter acts the negative effects of stress hormones as well as controls insulin and sugar levels (both of which will make you gain weight if not under control) I found that yoga worked well for me.
2. Eat a well balanced diet. Don't skip meals! Skipping meals sends your body into a so-called starvation mode. When your body thinks it's starving your metabolism slows down to conserve food and energy. I eat small meals all day long and have never been thinner!
3. Doesn't loss sleep? Your body needs an average of 6 to 8 hours daily. When your body lacks sleep cortisol levels rise!
4. Avoid caffeine. Caffeine can cause cortisol levels to rise making you more feel hungry.
5. Take your vitamins. B and C vitamins along with calcium are proven to reduce stress.
6. Snack on whole grain foods. If you just can't avoid the cravings snack on whole grain foods. They digest more slowly keeping you feeling full longer.
I have lost over 120lbs by simply reducing my stress and following these 6 simple rules.
By Shannon Curtin
Info help: webmd.com
My name is Shannon Curtin. I am the founder and president of Shanlee Enterprises. Our mission is to provide consumers with valuable educational materials through our FREE e-zine "Beautiful - Body, Mind, and Spirit". Check out our link for more Free Valuable weight loss information.
http://www.fatloss4idiots4u.homestead.com
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