On the typical weight loss journey, or struggle just to maintain, we may be putting ourselves at an unexpected disadvantage. Many people use anxiety and stress as motivators to lose weight. The personal criticisms and overly hard-working tendencies often correlate with this increased stress. When we are in a heightened state of tension, anxiety, force or fear, our metabolism dramatically changes for the negative.
Have you ever experienced going on vacation, eating and drinking more than usual, but losing weight? When our frame of mind changes to relaxation, our metabolism and digestion shifts so significantly that we can eat more, yet lose/maintain weight. Numerous studies have shown that high cortisol production, the stress hormone, is strongly associated with fat accumulation. Cortisol’s inherent responsibility is to detect stress and signal the body to store fat and not build muscle. Especially in the case of the aggravating “belly fat”, excess cortisol production heads straight to the midsection. Now I’m not saying to drop everything and take a vacation, but take a step back and analyze your state of stress vs. relaxation.
If you are experiencing the struggle of a lower-calorie diet paired with strenuous exercise and still can’t accomplish your health goals, ask yourself about stress.
- Do you live a hurried life?
- Are you eating too quickly and unaware?
- Does your life require that you live in a state of fight or flight?
- Are your weight loss goals out of self-love and care or forced outside pressures?
If yes to any of these questions, then no amount of calorie counting, running or climbing stairs will ultimately get you to your final goal. You don’t need to worry more or punish yourself about food. It’s counterproductive to stress yourself out about weight loss because that same stress can cause you to put weight on. The most difficult thing to do, but most rewarding, is to RELAX. Take a deep breath, experience peacefulness and allow your calories a chance to burn.
Bottom Line: Worrying about fat increases fat. Anxiety about weight loss can cause your body to put fat on and retain it.
Taylor Combes, B.S. Health Education/Exercise Science
Wellness Associate at alliantgroup