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Stress can make you fat
Many of us can associate with the notion of a friend or family member having being stressed resulting in weight loss.
But stress can make you fat too.That’s according to nutritionist and personal trainer Emma Robertson who is determined to encourage those struggling to tone up to keep as much of an eye on their lifestyle as their diet.
“I’ve been doing this for 10 years and have seen clients who, no matter what they do or how hard they work at weight loss, can’t seem to get the results,” says Emma.
She runs a business with real life partner Simon Whitnall (also a highly qualified PT and injury rehabilitation specialist) called Synergy Fitness Studios based in Liverpool City Centre but with clients in the UK and overseas.
“I’m convinced stress is one of the main factors,” she says.“That may be internal stresses such as food intolerances or a nutritional imbalance or external ones such as not enough time in the day or holding down a stressful job.
“I see a lot of corporate clients but stress can just as easily affect mums too who are always on the go or people holding down more than one job; anyone in fact.
”Of course emotional eating will play a part – we all comfort eat – and portion control may also be an issue for some.But Emma reckons the key to shedding those stubborn pounds is more scientific than that.
Hormones play a crucial part. If we’re frightened or threatened the body kicks in to ‘flight or fight’ mode, triggering hormonal changes which see our metabolism grab high-octane fat and quick burning glucose for energy.But when we’re permanently stressed those hormone levels don’t drop. We are stimulated to store fat for the ongoing stress response and that means we’re storing fat on a daily basis.
Muscle tissue can also be affected with the body breaking down tissue to keep itself fuelled.In addition, under long term stress, the gut is prone to shut down preventing key vitamins and minerals and nutrients being absorbed and throwing out of kilter the balance between good and bad bacteria. “The human body is so complicated and these days it’s over-worked and under-rested” says Emma.
“But there are strategies you can adopt to combat stress, hopefully lose weight and achieve a work-life balance.”Emma says it’s crucial to examine your diet, work out what nutrients it may be missing, replacing them with nutritional supplements if necessary. She recommends trying some yoga too, in order to help build up opportunities to rest during the day.Ultimately she says that “you have to work on a protocol to re-balance both the body and the work versus life juggling act we perform.”
Mark Oakes couldn’t agree more.As a 40-year-old self-employed travel and leisure consultant and a dad of two he led a stressful life with no stress management strategy.And after a back injury the weight piled on.“I put on two stones in less than two years and couldn’t shift it, even though I’d always thought of myself as fairly fit.”
He consulted Emma who examined his lifestyle and sports injury before advising him to cut out carbs in the morning, re-balance his protein intake and use protein shakes. She also looked at his hormonal balance.
After 12 weeks he had shed 4kgs and his body fat percentage had dropped while muscle mass had increased. So all weight lost was pure body fat, there was no muscle wastage which is what can happen with acute stress.
“I’ve seen what people can put into their bodies when they’re working hard and tired. I’m certain stress can make you fat.“But there is something you can do about it. I should know.”
Synergy 0151 227 2892 http://www.synergyfitnessstudios.co.uk/