Why am I not losing weight???

brendak76

snowflakesav wrote: »

I am 51 and I am slowly working on the last pounds as well. I have found that stress is a big factor.. Stress from work, stress from strenuous exercise and stress from dieting..specifically restricting carbs. If I take a short vacation or manage the stress in my life better I generally see the scale reflect that. Cortisol is not a dieters friend.

I think stress is one of the most overlooked factors in dieting. Not just emotional/my life is very busy stress (which is not to be ignored), but also the stress we put on our bodies with exercise and calorie deficits and sleep deprivation. Yes, it ultimately comes down to CICO, but lowering stress levels help immensely.

A personal example, I decided this year that I was going to try and control the stresses in my life that were controllable because there were so many stresses that were uncontrollable (family members with severe illnesses that I take care of). I am an athlete and runner, but I decided to quit the high impact running and switch to walking. I quit the high intensity classes at the gym and lift weights on my own for 30 minutes instead of an hour class. Instead of high intensity music I listen to slower, relaxing instrumental music. My list goes on. Anyhow, it's because I have been able to lower these stressors in my life that I can sleep better at night and have more energy to focus on food. I'm not as hungry and can eat less. (Cortisol and stress really messes with my appetite)

All of the stresses I gave up were "good" stressors in my life, but between those things and the "bad" stressors, it was too much. I was hungry, tired, and cranky a lot. And I've lost almost 10 pounds since then (5'2 and 130 to start).

Just food for thought.