If you’ve been trying to eat right to lose weight, but haven’t seen the results you’re after it might be time to check your stress levels. Stress, if left out of control, can seriously harm your chances of successfully shedding pounds and reaching your goals. It can also cause a host of other problems you don’t want to deal with!
So, why is stress a roadblock for weight loss?
Stress in and of itself isn’t a bad thing. It’s a perfectly natural response to the world around you. When daily stresses are allowed to build up, however, they can take a serious toll on your body. Stress can interfere with normal eating habits, it can cause physical symptoms, such as stomach pains, and it can even increase chemical levels in the body that get in the way of weight loss. Cortisol and norepinephrine are stress hormones that can easily interfere with you losing significant weight. Constant stress causes high blood pressure, interferes with your metabolic processes, and can even help deplete your “good” essential anabolic (muscle building) hormones like testosterone. As many people know, stress can also promote binge eating habits, as well.
Fortunately, there are fantastic ways to reduce stress naturally and help your weight loss efforts in the process. Taking the right measures to lessen the impacts of stress can improve your health, your attitude and even your next weigh in.
How can you effectively battle stress and your waistline bulge at the same time? Try these simple, but very effective measures:
- Get active – Exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce the toll stress can take on the body. When you get up and get moving, your body will respond positively. Not only will you help yourself lessen stress, but exercise will also aid with weight loss. Work with a personal trainer or talk to the pros at your gym for assistance in creating an exercise program that fights stress and promotes weight loss.
- Get some sleep – Making sure the body is properly rested is an essential key in the fight against stress. When people are stressed out, they tend to sleep less. Cortisol can run rampant under this condition. This, in turn, can lead to irritability and even more stress. Work on getting at least seven to eight hours a night. The right exercising can help make this goal reality.
Meditate – You don’t have to go to a yoga class or read tons of books to gain the basic benefits of meditation. Just learn some very simple deep-breathing techniques and give yourself a few minutes a day to practice them. Clear your mind, breathe in deeply, relax and let go of the tension you’re holding. Learn to breath from your diaphragm (stomach) not your chest. When this is combined with other efforts – exercise and rest – the positive impacts can really shine.
- Eat right – Proper nutrition is also important not only for weight loss, but also stress reduction. Steer clear of caffeine if it causes you jitters or irritability. Focus on lean, quality proteins that satisfy your appetite. Eat your fruits and vegetables. Avoid fried foods. Before long, you’ll feel better about yourself and it will show in your weight loss efforts.
Stress has been linked with heart disease, stomach ailments, heart attacks and more. It can also throw a monkey wrench in your weight loss plans. Learn to ease it naturally to get on the right path for shedding pounds. Take care of yourself and recognize when your stress levels are depleting your quality of life and energy. Your personal trainer or the professionals at your local gym can help you establish an effective stress-reduction plan. Just ask them!
About the Author
Marin health and fitness expert, John Spongberg is the founder of Personal Training in Marin as well as an accomplished author, speaker and life coach. He is dedicated to helping people reach their optimum level of fitness, health and body satisfaction through a unique, comprehensive whole-person approach, customized to each client.
Mr. Spongberg creates a successful experience for individuals who are ready to take the next step to, once and for all, achieve the extraordinary health, vitality and body they’ve long been dreaming of. Your satisfaction is personally guaranteed 100% or your money back!
If you’re ready, you can reach Mr. Spongberg at (415) 322-7033 or visit his website at www.PersonalTrainingInMarin.com where you can download your free copy of his special health and fitness report, The Truth About Losing Weight
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