The Hidden Cause of "Puffiness"
Tasha Stevens
Clinical Nutritionist, B.S + Hormone Expert, CPT, STOTT Pilates Instructor
I’ll never forget the day that I no longer recognized myself. I went out for my friend’s birthday. It had been a while since I had gone out, so I went all out.
Got my hair done ??♀?, and got a new outfit ??, I was feeling pretty cute ??.
The next morning, all the girls started sharing photos that they had gotten from the night and as I started to watch them roll through, I was confused.
I remember thinking “Who is that girl – I don’t recognize her”.
My heart and confidence shattered when I realized that “girl” was me.
You know that feeling in your stomach when you are in utter shock, dismay, and you truly cannot believe it and are searching for answers?
I was staring at this girl who looked swollen, who looked tired, who’s smile I did not recognize. I knew I had not been feeling well, that things were changing. But this was when I recognized that something was really wrong.
I didn’t feel comfortable in my body because my body was fighting for dear life.
And, if you are there right now, I want you to know I understand it.
The vulnerability of feeling like a stranger in your body.
The panic you have because you know something is wrong but you are not sure how to fix it.
The insane desire to do whatever it takes immediately to get back to you.
I am going to save you a ton of heartache and time (which can cut years off your journey)…
This inflammation and puffiness is the telltale sign that you are struggling with cortisol imbalance.
The alarm ?? in your body is screaming at you to take action.
Cortisol is a pro-inflammatory hormone – meaning that when you are stressed it works to increase inflammation and conserves all “excess” energy as fat to ensure that you can survive through the stressor.
And this is happening because your body is stressed. Stressed out of its mind.
Cortisol response occurs when you are under any threat and stress in your body. And is so much more than emotional stress.
Your stress response can be constantly activated even if you don’t “feel stressed”. The adrenal overload creates a biological halt in your body.
When your body is under stress, cortisol is released in response and is supposed to be short-lived to help you thrive under pressure. But that’s just not the case anymore.
Stress today is unrelenting and 24/7. It comes at you from all different directions and let’s be honest, we rarely get a break.
When stress is chronic, cortisol remains elevated for periods of time, resulting in symptoms of:
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And so much more…
Even if you don’t “feel stressed” your stress response can still be triggered.
How can this happen?
Because more than traditional mental and emotional stress can activate your stress response. ANYTHING that overwhelms your body’s ability to respond to challenges counts as stress.
So how can you go from being inflamed, uncomfortable, and overwhelmed to…
Address the root causes adrenal overload that puts your stress response into high gear:
?? Inflammation in the body – often linked to issues like gut disruption, food sensitivities, infections, or environmental toxins. Identifying your “inflammatory-for-you foods is critical to reducing inflammation”. In Hormone Balance Coaching, we help to dig in to identify your food and lifestyle triggers and strategically heal them. This is how you can thrive without deprivation or feeling confused on what you “can or can’t do”.
?? Under eating and nutrient deficiencies – not having enough food to function and the right biochemical components compromises organ and system health. Your body thinks it’s in “famine”. A cycle-synced reverse diet ensures you get enough food and the right nutrients to support hormone production. In Coaching, we design a 100% tailored meal plan and metabolic rehab progression that allows you to eat MORE food and lose weight. In fact, most of my clients feel “lighter” in the first week and they have more energy because they are nourishing their systems.
???♀? Workouts – your workouts can either reduce stress or add stress. Too high of intensity, overdoing too much of the same intensity, and lack of movement all increase stress in the body. Cycle-synced strength training is the most effective workout to get results without adding stress. With customized progressive overloads, you really only need two (2) cycle-synced workouts a week to unlock your transformation. Even better, this is how you avoid burnout of needing to devote all your free time to the gym (because you do have a life and other things you want to do).
?? Circadian rhythm disruptions – irregular sleep patterns and disturbances to your natural sleep and wake cycle trigger and perpetuate stress response. Creating a bedtime routine and limiting blue light ensures quality sleep. In Coaching, we help to create a rest routine that delivers results ASAP. My clients report higher quality sleep within the first two weeks and boy does this change everything for them. They are more productive at work, they connect with their family more, they enjoy their days because they have energy to be present in them.
Feel Comfortable and Confident in YOUR Body
When you focus on healing your systems and eating in a way that makes you happy and heals your hormones you can finally feel good and confident in your body.
You know the kind I am speaking of – where you put on your favorite jeans and they fit just right. Where you feel excited to go out with friends because you have energy and life in you. Where you do not run away from photos because you feel happy.
In fact, this is how…
?? I lost 50 lbs. eating over 2200 calories a day and working out only 3x a week.
?? Ginny lost 25 lbs. in 2 months by working out less.
??? Aimee lost 8 inches and 2 pant sizes eating more food.
Hormones are the key to your results. And learning how to support them is how you break away from needing a diet. Instead, you get a lifestyle!
One that allows you to eat the foods you love ??, that works with your schedule ??, that gives you boundless energy ?, and that delivers results for life. ??????
My 1:1 hormone balance nutrition and strength coaching program gives you a ? 100% tailored for you ? meal plan and workout program designed to transform your hormones and deliver results.
Want to jump on a free discovery call ?? to see which program is right for you? Let’s do it! Book a call here: Book Discovery Call
Tasha is an Integrative Clinical Nutritionist, B.S. and Founder of Happy Hormone Health. She has coached 2000 women in reclaiming their energy, living symptom-free and transforming their health through hormone balance nutrition. Start your hormone balance journey with her free masterclass.