Is The Stress In Your Life The Cause Of Your Belly Fat?

A woman stressed at work

Stages Of Stress

Hans Selye studied stress and identified 3 stages; Alarm stage, Resistance stage and exhaustion stage. How we adapt to stage is called the general adaptations syndrome. The Alarm stage of stress is charecterised by the bodies healthy response to stress. We get a stress signal such as getting stuck in traffic and being late for work. Our body releases stress hormones once percieved this stress signal or threat, we get angry, we may feel scared or anxious, we may sweat and shout and display defensive behaviours. Your blood pressure may increase, Your adrenal glands release cortisol(a stress hormone). Other things that happen in the body is your digestion shuts down and adrenaline is secreated that gives you an energy rush. A healthy person in normal conditions will return to a calm state and continue with every day life. However if this pattern of stress repeats itself many times in a day or over days the person experiencing this ongoing stress may become resistant to the effects of stress, your body will adapt by having high cortisol, high blood pressure and some of the signs are being irritable, getting easily frustrated and having poor concentration. If this stage is prolonged and not resolved the person often will reach exhaustion stage where they are not able to mount a healthy stress response to the stressor as they are exhasuted. They lack energy and stamina and their cortisol levels are low also.

How Does Stress Affect Your Health?

I see women with various stages of stress in my clinic from early stages of stress where they may be relying on stimulants such as sugary foods and caffeinated drinks that boost their stamina to get them through the day. These women are commonly pretty wired and on high drive. They are succesful in their career and have a high demanding job or family commitments.

Coffee

Cortisol Belly!

The other type of women I see are already in an exhaustion stage of stress, where they are in burnout because the adrenals are exhausted. These women have no energy feel constantly tired, anxious and maybe craving sweet foods or caffeine to get a pick me up. Quite commonly at this late stage of stress they may have put weight on, especially around the middle due to stress. Their hormones may be palying havoc and they are experiencing mood problems and constantly feel drained and exhausted. The complex interactions of constant hormone stimulation via cortisol and insulin eventually will start to lay down the fat if the stressed individual is not burning that excess stimulation caused by the stress hormones!

Laying fat around the middle due to long term excess cortisol is also called having a cortisol belly.

Stressed woman with fat around the middle

When the body is constantly under stress it tends to lay fat around the middle causing abdominal obesity. This is also caled cortisol belly! This form of fat is metabolically active and it is best to take action to lose the fat as it is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

How Can I Get Rid Of my Cortisol Belly?

The good news is that, fat around the middle is one of the easiest fat to lose with the right approach. A simple strategy could be removing refined foods, increasing protein and vegetables, incorporating healthy fats and portion control. Swapping caffeinated drinks with non-caffeinated drinks and reducing alcohol. Putting effort into balancing your blood sugar levels to prevent blood sugar surges that cause stress hormone stimulation is a really good place to start.

Lifestyle Strategies To Lower Stress Levels For Health

Some healthy habits you can implement are simple things like doing gentle forms of exercise, making time for relaxation, getting adequate sleep, spending time in nature, practicing meditation and mindfulness and having some me time!

How I Can Help You If Stress Is Affecting Your Health?

I have worked with many clients suffering with stress in my clinic. Stress not only affects your hormones and mood but it also has in impact on what foods you eat and drink. It can really take over your life and if you have been stressed for a long time you need to take back control over your life again.

I can coach you to incorporate healthy habits in you busy life and make it achievable for you. I also support you to eat in a healthy way that supports your overall health and balances your cortisol levels.

I also run testing to see which stage of stress your body is at by measuring your cortisol levels and identifying if you are following the correct circadian rhythm to ensure your hormones are balanced.

My Adrenal Stress Test measures your cortisol levels through out the day. This is useful in terms of identifying what stage of stress you may be under and help me to prepare a targeted approach to support you nutritionally. This allows me to create a more tailored program for my clients based on their unique individual needs.

Nutrients That May Help With Stress

The following nutrients have been studied and are helpful for adrenal health that secreates cortisol your stress hormone:

• Vitamin B5

• Vitamin C

• Magnesium

• L-Theanine

• Rhodiola

• Ashwagandha

Have you been suffering from stress lately? Nutrition and coaching has lots to offer in terms of supporting you and arming you with the tools to help you cope with life and reach a healthy balanced state.