Stress and Belly Fat - How Do They Affect Weight Gain?

There are many links between stress and belly fat. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-standing battle with no definitive cure. It's a struggle even to live with. Scientists today acknowledge that stress plays an important role in the development of CFS and probably the reason why some individuals take much longer to recover than others.

The symptoms of CFS are wide-ranging and can include fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, shortness of breath, depression and anxiety. This debilitating condition occurs when the body cannot rest. Because we spend so much time in front of computers or working at a job, we are constantly putting stress on our bodies and often our brains. This constant stress, coupled with poor sleep quality and inadequate nutrient intake from eating too much refined sugars, carbohydrates, and processed foods, can cause a breakdown in the immune system, which results in fatigue and CFS symptoms.

In addition, another connection between stress and CFS is insulin resistance. People who suffer from CFS are more likely to be insulin resistant, a medical condition where the body's cells do not respond to insulin properly. If you have insulin resistance, it stands to reason that you are also at risk for developing belly fat.

Researchers have yet to identify what causes the stress-related increase in cortisol. But many suspect the culprits are the same foods and beverages that are triggering the release of cortisol; the problem lies in trying to remove them from your diet. Here are some examples:

- Alcoholic beverages. One of the most common causes of increased insulin levels and liver damage is alcohol, as well as certain foods high in sugar, such as soft drinks, candy, and ice cream. Excess glucose from drinking alcohol or sugary foods and other carbohydrates can convert to fat and make it more difficult to remove from the body. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can boost your blood sugar level beyond your normal range, which can cause your liver to become overworked and break down.

- Insufficient sleep. The average person needs at least 8 hours of good quality sleep every night to recharge and rejuvenate. However, if you are experiencing chronic stress or adrenal gland issues, you are getting less than that. The result is cortisol levels that are higher than normal, because your body is not adequately recharging during the time you are sleeping.

- Heart disease. Chronic stress may increase your chances of developing hypertension and other heart problems. It may also increase your chance of suffering a heart attack. Stress may contribute to the development of kidney stones and other types of kidney related diseases.

These are just some of the reasons that chronic stress and cortisol levels can lead to increased belly fat. The good news is that there are things you can do to reduce your stress and cortisol levels and help you get rid of belly fat. If you can focus on being happy and having positive experiences rather than stressing out about things, then you will find that your stress may go away. A great way to do this is by going for a walk or a bike ride at least two times a week. Another option is to spend some time by yourself doing something that you like, such as cooking, exercising, or reading a book.

In addition, if you have been getting more weight gained than you should be, it may be a sign that you have a problem with your hormones. This is especially true if you have been experiencing chronic stress and cortisol levels. Hormones play an important role in how much weight gain happens to someone. If the excess weight gain is not coming from gaining too much fat, but from increasing your body mass index, then you probably have a hormone imbalance and need to talk to a doctor about it.

There are many other ways that you can reduce stress and cortisol production that will help you lose weight. One of the best ways to reduce stress and raise your metabolism is to get plenty of rest. In the busy world of tax season, many people are stressed to the max. If you can take a few minutes to relax and unwind before filing your taxes, then you will be able to concentrate on paying your taxes correctly and getting through the season.

The above are just a couple of ways that stress and cortisol production can increase your body mass index and make it easier for you to pack on the pounds. Now that we know stress and what it does to us, let's talk about what you can do to reduce stress and get rid of belly fat. You can get a lot of help by seeing a qualified nutritionist. He or she can help you learn how to eat properly so that you have the nutritional benefits that food has to offer. If diet is not an option, then he or she can teach you ways to cope with stress so that you do not allow it to have a hold over you. In addition, he or she can teach you ways to relieve stress so that it does not have a chance to do damage to your body.