Stress that goes on for a long time increases appetite, makes our body hold onto fat and effects our willingness to eat healthy. Why is stress such a whammy for weight and what can you do about it?
Hormones. When your brain detects a stressor, it triggers release of adrenaline to prepare for “fight or flight”. This chemical cascade will prepare you to feel alert and ready to handle the threat. Once this wears off, the “stress hormone", cortisol starts to signal your body to replenish your food supply, even if the stress didn’t have you chasing a wooly mammoth!
Stress belly. When cortisol is too high for too long, it can increase the amount of fat around the stomach. Excess belly fat is harder to get rid of, which can be stressful…cycle continues.