Dealing With A Stress And Belly Fat Problem

There's a big correlation between stress and belly fat and it's got many people scratching their heads. It's tough to argue with the facts, though. Belly fat is hard to lose, no matter what diet and exercise plan you use. If you're stressed, that stress and that belly fat grows at an accelerated rate. So what exactly is stress and belly fat?

Stress is defined as any situation that increases your anxiety or the perceived intensity of your stressor. In a previous post, discussed the role that stress plays in your high cortisol levels, which can lead to many problems including weight gain and belly fat accumulation. What we're talking about here is your stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is secreted when you are stressed. The stress that is being reported here is in the form of anxiety, tension, or worry. It also includes situations where there is a perceived threat such as a social engagement, conflict, exam, or even a job interview.

When you are stressed out, the cortisol starts rising because your brain perceives an increased level of danger. This in turn drives up your blood sugar levels, which raises your insulin levels and causes your body to store more glucose (a type of sugar). Glucose is used by your body to give fuel for your muscles and to keep your brain active. As you can see, the whole process basically makes you work harder, which in turn makes you eat more.

One of the problems with cortisol is that without enough sleep, it can become counterproductive. A lot of people argue that if you don't get enough sleep, your brain stops making cortisol and instead switches to the hormones that give you the drive for food. Of course, this all happens during the eight hours that you are asleep. So, how can this be good for your health? It's certainly not good for your belly fat.

If you are constantly stressed out, then one of the things that you have to do is avoid processed foods and sugars. Your diet should consist mainly of lean proteins and whole grains, plenty of green vegetables, and natural, unprocessed sugars. Try eating more of these types of foods, and eliminate the rest of the food groups. You will probably also want to cut back on your calories. This is because processed foods contain mostly empty calories that can make you gain weight.

The next thing that you have to do is reduce your carbohydrate intake. Most Americans consume way too much refined carbs like white bread and potatoes, which are made of starches. Excess carbohydrates cause your blood sugar to rise, and insulin to go up, causing obesity. So, if you are stressed out, don't consume processed foods and sweets. Instead, eat plenty of nuts, berries, and natural, unprocessed carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables.

Lastly, chronic stress causes your body to release cortisol, a type of stress hormone. This affects your glucose levels, which in turn increases your appetite. It is really a vicious cycle. If you are trying to lose weight, then reducing the amount of stress that you are experiencing will help you achieve your weight loss goals.

When dealing with a weight gain problem, it is important to try to reduce stress as much as possible. Reduce both your cortisol and your blood sugar levels. Eat a healthy, natural diet that consists mostly of whole grains and protein. In addition, it would be a great idea to start walking for at least 30 minutes every other day.