Cortizol Belly. How Stress Affects Our Figure

[LoShiNi]

Did you know that unhealthy eating habits are not the only cause of excess weght? There is another factor that has a negative impact in modern human life. It is stress.

Stress results in:

>> gaining extra weight;

>> obesity;

>> diabetes;

>> blood sugar imbalance;

>> immune system depletion;

>> insomnia;

>> chronique fatigue syndrome;

>> thyroid dysfunction;

>> depression;

>> fertility issues;

>> cardiovascular diseases.


Consistent high levels of blood cortizol make the body hold over the visceral fat in the belly, the most dangerous one. This is where the names “stress fat” and “cortizol belly” comes from. Cortizol belly is the result of high blood cortizol.

Cortizol makes the body resistant to insulin, thus it prevents maintaining healthy weight or slimming. The body cells are deprived from the glucose fuel, and the brain logically concludes, that you should eat more high-calorage food, which results in gaining more fat. Cortizol also induces cravings for certain food, sweets in particular, affects appetite and other body processes caused by stress.

Here are 5 points to fight stress fat.

1. Make Muscle Work

Active workouts involving the greatest number of muscle groups, like push-ups,squats and cross-fit, help to reduce stress consequences. Increased blood circulation relieves the cortizol’s negative impact. Even a 20-minute walk three times a week takes away 15% of stress hormones..


2. Eat Slowly

When in stress, we gobble at food without chewing. This eating habit results in increased portions and cortizol belly later on. Do not rush. Enjoy every mouthful and pay attention to the feeling of satiation to avoid stress fat in your belly and other zones.

3. Diet Rationally

Constant dieting increses the level of blood cortizol in 20%. Moreover, harsh diets are considered to be an unhealthy and ineffective way to lose weight. It is better to indulge yourself with a tasty morsel when you want to. And do not skip your breakfast!

4. Drink Coffee Responsibly

It is better to avoid caffeine in stressful situations, as it increases blood cortizol. A cup of coffee in a harsh period won’t do any harm, but it is so hard to get rid of stress fat when it becomes a habit.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is one of the best way to fight stress. Unfortunately, it can be hard to fall asleep in some stressful situations. Nevertheless, you should try and get enough night sleep. It helps your body to be more stress-proof.

As you could see, stress fat is harder to fight than fat gained by simple overeating. But when your extra weight is caused by a combination of factors (overeating, stress, unhealthy diet, lack of sleep, irregular day schedule, etc), it is high time to take better control of your life!