Women who have higher levels of stress usually have a higher BMI (Body Mass Index), and increased odds of being obese!

Facts 

• High stress is commonly paired with less physical activity, and more frequent fast-food consumption.

• And associations were also found between high stress and increased television viewing time.

Explain

The hormone that is released when you're stressed is called cortisol.

It is released in response to stress through a series of steps involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, known as the HPA axis.

Here’s the order:

When your brain perceives a stressful situation, it triggers the hypothalamus.

1. The hypothalamus releases CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone).

2. CRH travels to the pituitary gland, prompting it to release ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).

3. ACTH travels through the bloodstream to the adrenal glands.

4. The adrenal glands then produce and release cortisol into the bloodstream.

So, cortisol is released after you perceive stress and continues to be released while you are stressed. It helps your body manage and respond to the stressor.

WHY STRESS STOPS WEIGHTLOSS:

Cortisol stimulates the release of a neurotransmitter (Neuropeptide Y4) that promotes cravings for high-calorie foods such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats.

If cortisol remains elevated, it impacts the thyroid, which plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism.

Women are more susceptible to hormone disruption due to the intricate role hormones play in our monthly cycle and daily function.

Couple that with taking care of others before us, and it creates a perfect storm...

A few ways to reduce stress (cortisol) are:

1. Meditation
2. Time away from technology
3. Being in nature
4. Spending time with loved ones

*The trick is to implement stress-reducing activities consistently, so they can have a bigger impact on your overall health*

Resources

• All of the information above is from Alisa Vitti, a women’s hormones expert and functional nutritionist, and this study.

• "WomanCode" by Alisa Vitti is a must-have guide to help navigate your hormones and life in your reproductive years.

• "In The Flo" by Alisa Vitti is a great introduction to women's hormonal health and it gives you actionable tips and lifestyle choices that allow you to have symptom-free cycles!

• Reading the two books above will show you how to live in your female rhythms, which is a natural stress-reducer because you are living in accordance with what your body is designed to do (and wants to do). AKA you can lose weight!!
  

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Actionable Tips:

• Shop my favorite clean + non-toxic + organic products, supplements, and food HERE.

• If you are in your reproductive years: track your cycle with MyFlo, 28, Flo, Clue, Wild.AI, or any other period-tracking apps. Understanding your cycle and living in accordance with your natural hormone fluctuations is the best bio-hack you have as a woman!

• To find a practitioner/doctor who specializes in women's health near you who can give you women's-specific advice and will be knowledgeable about ALL women's health topics! CLICK HERE

• If you are perimenopausal: dive into Dr. Mary Claire Haver's work. She is a board-certified OB/GYN who has helped thousands of women going through perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause! She puts out incredible information on social media, but first watch or listen to this podcast to understand the basics.

• To find a practitioner/doctor who is certified by The Menopause Society near you who will answer ALL your questions, educate you, believe your symptoms, and help you! CLICK HERE

• If you are post-menopausal: take advantage of your hormones being the same every day. Follow Dr. Mindy Pelz on social media and check out her Viral YouTube channel for information on optimizing your health and body composition.
  

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*REMINDER: This content is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Consult a doctor for personal health concerns.