Research studies have shown that acute stress can lead to weight loss, but chronic stress, such as ongoing relationship problems or long-term job insecurity can cause us to put on weight.
Studies at Georgetown University showed that when lab animals were fed a high fat, high sugar diet, only the ones who were subjected to stressful conditions gained weight.
It's the combination of junk food diets and stress that creates weight gain.
The high stress, high fat/sugar group gained a significant amount of weight and accumulated twice as much fat in their bellies as the non-stressed animals that ate the same diet.
What's the Answer?
There is a lot of hard-to-control stress in our lives and a lot of easily accessible high fat foods. Our bodies can even create cravings for these foods when we need comfort and a reprieve from stress.
Think of fat cells as little water balloons. The less you fill them (by eating healthy) and the more you exercise (especially cardio or anything that makes you sweat) -- it's like draining the water out of the balloons. The cells are still there, but they are less significant.
There are only 2 routes to happiness here:
1. Our bodies don't like dieting or starvation. So choose an effective nondieting approach. Don't combine high stress and high fat, high sugar foods. Be conscious when you are stressed. Protect your health by making an extra effort to find foods that are satisfying substitutes for junk food, and stick to those when stress is high. Better yet, wait to eat until you feel more calm.
2. Reduce stress in any way you can, and give yourself the support you deserve on a regular basis. Stress is not going away completely (nor is Prince Charming coming to take you away from it all!) Exercise will both help you reduce fat cells and decrease the feeling of stress and tension. A regular practice of EFT and relaxation therapy can help as well.
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