Stress and Weight Gain: How to Lose Stress Weight

Want to know how to lose stress weight?

In this post, you’ll learn:

• How stress causes weight gain (especially belly fat)
• What stress does to your hunger signals
• 6 diets to follow when you’re stressed to unlock weight loss
• Top tips for managing anxiety and stress so your body can get ahead
• When it’s OK to indulge in even *gasp* refined foods

Want to learn more? Here’s how to lose stress weight once and for all.

 

Can stress make it hard to lose weight? 

When I’m stressed, I get the impulse to snack. I want something crunchy, salty, or sweet. It took me a while, but I finally figured out how to avoid the pitfalls and how to lose stress weight. 

I used to be so busy, going from meeting to meeting, and I had barely any time to eat. Sometimes, I would need a break from all the thinking I was doing. Food was the easiest stress reliever I could find at the moment. 

I would eyeball the vending machine outside the main conference room lustfully. Or, I would hurry through the office kitchen, seeing if anyone happened to bring in one of those bright pink bakery boxes to share. 

Then once I gave in to salty chips or snacked down on the bear claw back in my office, a wash of guilt would flood over me. 

Or, even when I was “good” when I was stressed, I still noticed I had SUCH a hard time losing any weight. 

Sound familiar? 

As it turns out, stress and weight gain do go hand in hand. 

Why do you gain weight when you’re stressed? 

It’s easy to put on weight when we’re stressed because we really do crave high-calorie food. And our bodies release stress hormones that make it REALLY hard to lose weight. 

High stress causes appetite changes by increasing epinephrine and cortisol levels in your blood. 

This throws off a hormone called leptin, which regulates your appetite. Your body will signal that you’re hungry even when you’re not. When your leptin levels are off, it also causes cravings for high sugar and fat foods. 

Also, as research shows, your body doesn’t lose as much weight when you’re stressed. 

Why does your body react to stress? 

This is because your body has evolutionary programming telling you that when you feel stress, it’s because of danger. Unfortunately, the ancient part of your brain doesn’t know the difference between an invading rival tribe or your boss telling you they need that report by the end of the day.

When you feel stress, your body senses danger, and signals to itself, “OK, we’re in danger. We need lots of calorie-dense food now so we’ll have the energy to run from this danger or fight back.” 

Obviously desk job weight gain is a real thing because we keep getting the internal signals for the high-calorie foods, but we don’t burn any calories running away or battling a strong enemy. We just sit at our desk, stare into our spreadsheet, feel panic, and gain weight.

In what other ways can stress cause weight gain and bloating? 

Here are a couple of other ways stress adds to your weight:

Chronic stress makes it harder to sleep well, which also spikes your cortisol levels. Lack of sleep triggers excess hunger as your body tries to make up for lack of energy. 

Cortisol also tends to make the fat cells gather around the belly and midsection. So even if you’re not eating that bad, fat goes right to this problem area.

In other words: with stress weight, you gain a belly. 

Can you lose weight despite stress? 

Your stress isn’t likely going to go away anytime soon. It’s just part of life.

So can you lose weight even if you’re busy and feel stressed? 

The answer? Yes! 

Take my online weight loss coaching client Tree as an example.

Tree has an extremely stressful job at a Fortune 500 company. 

Her weight had been creeping up and she knew that she needed to change things, but she was just too busy. 

After enrolling in my program, she lost 20 pounds, just by making simple lifestyle changes. Oh, and she did it while enjoying her chocolate cake and without a single sit up. 

(With the extra energy Tree got from losing weight, she started exercising again — a double win, because exercise is so important for your overall health.) 

 

How do you lose stress weight? 

The next question is:

How DO you get rid of stress belly fat? 

Well, it’s completely possible — you just need the right, sustainable strategies.

Let’s take a look at better ways to lose weight despite stress. 

1. Drink less coffee 

Stress and coffee go together, no?

Not so fast. 

You see, when you’re feeling stressed, your cortisol levels are already high. 

One quick fix for reducing weight gain when you’re stressed is to lay off the coffee and other caffeine. Why? Caffeine boosts cortisol levels. 

So if you’re already feeling the pressure, opt for decaf or herbal tea to prevent your cortisol levels and belly fat from ballooning

(And if you’re thinking, “but I need my coffee to feel energized!” read on. The strategies here below will help you increase energy naturally without the need to drink a lot of coffee.) 

2. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet

A great way to reduce stress and lose weight is to eat an anti-inflammatory diet, particularly rich in Vitamin B, C, calcium, and magnesium (whole grains like oatmeal, fibrous bread, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, Greek yogurt, leafy greens).

Plus, avoid refined sugar and refined carbohydrates (cookies, crackers, doughnuts, cereal, pastries). 

There are lots of different healthy (non-restrictive) diets that can help you battle office job weight gain. Some diets work better for specific body types. But the underlying factor is to eat as much real, whole, low sugar food as possible. 

Here are some more diets that different people find helpful in their search for how to lose stress weight. 

• Paleo
• Keto
• Low glycemic/low carb
• Vegetarian
• Vegan

You’ll get different vitamins and minerals from different sources in all of these diets. But if you stay away from refined food and focus on anti-inflammatory foods, you’ll feel AMAZING and lose weight. 

3. Plan ahead 

One great way to ensure that you actually stick to your diet and don’t resort to cookies? 

Plan ahead. Buy any food you need for the week and prep your meals.

And make it harder for yourself to access sweets and junk food. For example, don’t store them at home. 

4. Have a cheat day or at least dessert one day a week 

You don’t have to eat perfect ALL of the time. If you really miss chocolate cake or ice cream, allow yourself ONE cheat day or just a cheat dessert on Saturday for example. 

That’s right! I’m talking about even refined food!  

This has been an essential part of how to lose stress weight for me. I love my cheat day. I don’t feel deprived, and then my body is so used to healthy food, that I’m excited to go back to my anti-inflammatory diet the next day.

Make sure this is something you plan for, not an impulsive decision that keeps happening over and over again. That will defeat the purpose and you won’t lose the weight. 

For a good mid-week treat, I recommend at least 70% or 80% dark chocolate because it’s lower in sugar, high in antioxidants, and it’s so decadent. 

5. Get lots of protein 

Eat protein with every meal or snack. This is because protein slows the burning of carbs and satisfies your hunger for longer. 

Also make sure you include healthy fats such as fish oil, nuts, and seeds. 

They give you healthy Omega 3s and minerals your body needs to support your brain in stressful times.  

6. Get enough sleep 

Getting enough good quality sleep is a MUST for how to lose stress weight. (Read my weight loss sleep guide here.)

After all, if you get too little sleep, you’ll feel more stressed. 

According to the American Psychology Association, American adults get too little sleep (an average of 6.7 hours a night, instead of the recommended 7-9 hours). 

45% of adults report feeling more stressed when they don’t get enough sleep. At the same time, people who are less stressed sleep better at night. 

Plus, sleep helps you boost your metabolism and lose weight faster. 

7. Don’t limit yourself too much

Don’t ever crash diet or be overly strict. When you limit yourself too much, you’re setting yourself up for giving in to binging later because you’re starving yourself. 

And as research shows, while diets help you lose a bit of weight, that weight comes back, plus more. 

8. Eat slowly

Eat slowly and never eat on the run if you can help it. 

Eating (even healthy food) too quickly can still add to belly fat. Slowing down reduces this and makes your digestive system work better. 

So, even if you have to eat in front of your computer, try to really enjoy your food. Plus, it’s a great way to take a small break during your stressful day. 

9. Get some exercise 

Move your body when you’re feeling stressed. Do some push-ups, stretches, or go for a quick brisk walk. 

This will actually tell your body that you’re “getting away from” the thing that’s causing you stress. 

It also releases feel-good chemicals that balance out the stress chemicals. 

Win-win! You’ll feel less stressed and happier. 

10. Schedule time for fun!

Take care of yourself, especially when you can feel the tension building in your shoulders. Do this by scheduling time for fun. 

Make time to meet up with friends, have a museum visit, go ice skating or go-carting with the kids.

And make sure you set time aside for getting a massage, a manicure or pedicure if possible. 

Another great way to take care of yourself? Hit the sauna if you can. Sweating in the sauna for 10 minutes boosts your metabolism and circulation AND releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins. 

Over to  you!

There you have it! 

Now you know how to lose stress weight.

Next, I’d love to hear from you: 

What stresses you to eat foods that make you feel bad? What foods help you feel back on top and calm? 

Let me know in the comments!