Is stress the reason why you cannot lose weight?

Struggling to lose weight is a very common problem that I see often, especially in women.

You are doing all the "right things", reducing the food you eat, exercising more, and have tried all sorts of fasting, yet you seem unable to shift those extra few pounds or even more.

This can lead to feelings of frustration, and demotivation, and trigger two main different avenues of behavior:

1. An even more restrictive approach to food that may spiral into yo-yo dieting or disordered eating. This can lead to sub-optimal nutrient intake, which can slow down your metabolism even more, and confuse the weight set-point center in the brain.
2. A sense of "nothing works for me" can lead to abandoning healthy eating and lifestyle resolutions lowering your standards of self-care, paving the way for emotional or binge eating.

The inability to effectively manage your weight can also lead to feelings of anxiety about food and body image that can linger for years.

This brings me to my point...

Is stress the reason why you cannot lose weight?

The stress hormone cortisol activates many metabolic and hormonal pathways. It is a vital hormone that we need to live. But when it is chronically too high or too low, it sets off a series of metabolic and hormonal compensations that can affect your weight.

What chronic stress does to your body

1. It increases sugar and insulin levels, which may lead to insulin resistance and storing fat around the waist.
2. It disrupts your sex hormone balance leading to bloating and weight fluctuations.
3. It increases emotional eating, sugary and fatty food cravings and reduces adherence to healthy habits.
4. It disrupts digestion and gut microbiome which can lead to bloating and suboptimal nutrient absorption.
5. It can feed back into your thyroid lowering your metabolism.

And more...

So if you struggle to lose weight...

The best thing to do is to take a moment and calm things down. Step back, identify your stress triggers and learn tools to manage stress.

Break the cycle, by working with a coach to help you identify areas where you need to work both on your stress management and eating habits.

Work with an expert who can help you understand the underlying complexity of your body so that you can be aware and make lifestyle choices that support your health and well-being.

Simplify your habits, to allow more room for more positive life experiences and joy in your life.

About me

I am an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and wellness expert, working with women to break the cycle of overwhelm and yo-yo dieting to create a healthier relationship with food and lifestyle.

I only work with a small number of clients at a time, to ensure full individual attention. You can join my waitlist at www.claudiaarmaniwellness.com or book a complimentary preliminary appointment at Calendly.com/claudia-armani

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