How Stress Affects Weight Loss

Most people admit that healthy eating habits go out the door when they are under stress.  Often this is caused by emotional issues but many other "stressful" factors can play a major part as well.  For those of us that our world revolves around our childrens' busy schedules, time and opportunity both play a part in regard to stress and the disability to fix/eat healthy food because of our lack of time. This is often where fast food finds it's way into the diet.

We all know that eating fast is virtually impossible to eat healthy.  Again, adding additional stress when trying to lose weight or stay healthy.  It's like a never-ending viscous cycle.  Unfortunately, according to some researchers, eating fast food while under stress causes additional weight gain.  This is due to the hormone (cortisol) fluctuations you body is dealing with at the time of consuming the fast food.

Cortisol, a stress hormone, causes the fight or flight response within our bodies.  We respond as if we're about to be harmed and need to fight for our lives (or run like heck).  In response to this need, we have a major burst of energy, shifts in metabolism and blood flow and other additional changes that can cause weight gain.

Stress also causes cravings especially in people that experience chronic stress.  These people tend to crave more fatty, salty and sugary foods.   Obviously these foods are less healthy and affect weight loss.  They tend to lead to weight gain and do not aid in weight loss at all.

Dealing with stress and learning to prepare ahead of time will help with the weight loss.  Know your schedules and prepare healthier foods to avoid the fast food issue.  Work to avoid stressful issues and times.  These will help in the weight loss department.

Search for quick, healthy recipes that can either be made on those busy nights (http://www.cookinglight.com/food/quick-healthy-recipes-00412000077176/) or prepare a entire week's meals a week in advance.  Often preparing ahead will help reduce the stress level and that in turn helps with the weight loss.

And the journey continues....