Your Hormones & Your Weight Loss

floridabootcamp

1. Cortisol: Cortisol is also known as the fat storage hormone and becomes elevated during times of stress. Normally this isn't an issue but when you are stressed on a regular basis this powerful hormone can cause you to store fat in your abdominal area. This is the most dangerous area to have excess fat since it is surrounding your internal organs. There have also been some studies that tie cortisol to high caffeine consumption and sleep deprivation.

2. Insulin: This hormone acts like a gate keeper by allowing nutrients to be deposited into cells. When your blood sugar is elevated insulin is released to remove the excess sugar. In most cases, your liver and muscles will be full of glycogen (sugar). Because of this, insulin has no choice but to send the sugar to your fat cells. This is one of the reasons that eating sugary foods or processed carbs is dangerous. Insulin levels can also be spiked by eating large portions. Food quality and quantity both count.

3. Ghrelin: Ghrelin is the hormone that is responsible for increasing your appetite. People who do not get the proper amount of sleep (7-8 hours) tend to have higher levels of ghrelin. Studies have shown that people with elevated ghrelin levels tend to crave foods that are calorie dense and high in carbohydrates. For obvious reasons this can quickly derail your weight loss program.

4. Leptin: This hormone is an appetite suppressor. It lets your body know when you are satisfied. This normally isn't an issue unless you are distracted. Several studies have shown that people will eat more when they are watching television. In this case, it is important that your portion sizes are determined before you start eating. Leptin levels are also tied your sleeping habits. Leptin levels are lower in people who do not get the proper amount of sleep.

These are just a few of the hormones that you have to keep in mind as you are losing weight. As you can see, stress and lack of sleep can destroy your weight loss efforts. Your hormones are more powerful than any workout or meal plan. Make sure you are getting the proper amount of sleep and adding a stress relieving activity to your routine.

Enjoy!

Carolyn72

Thank you! This is great information and is encouragement for me to turn it earlier at night. I have an awful habit of staying up late to get things done around the house. I've printed it out for a constant reminder.

byHISstrength

Bump for later, thanks for sharing.

fitterpam

Thanks for the info. I knew that they caused major pains when trying to lose weight and this makes it so clear!

fuhrmeister

Thnaks for posting this. I have to forward it to my Hus=band and encourgae him to sleep more.

Flora_Delirus

Thank you! This helps put some things into perspective. I don't have a problem with sleep and my stress isn't too great but my husband, woof....He barely gets 5 hours a night and it shows around the midsection terribly. But I can't make him understand he needs sleep. This should help a little, I hope.

LilynEdensmom

Thanks for sharing..

lillmssy

1. Cortisol: Cortisol is also known as the fat storage hormone and becomes elevated during times of stress. Normally this isn't an issue but when you are stressed on a regular basis this powerful hormone can cause you to store fat in your abdominal area. This is the most dangerous area to have excess fat since it is surrounding your internal organs. There have also been some studies that tie cortisol to high caffeine consumption and sleep deprivation.

2. Insulin: This hormone acts like a gate keeper by allowing nutrients to be deposited into cells. When your blood sugar is elevated insulin is released to remove the excess sugar. In most cases, your liver and muscles will be full of glycogen (sugar). Because of this, insulin has no choice but to send the sugar to your fat cells. This is one of the reasons that eating sugary foods or processed carbs is dangerous. Insulin levels can also be spiked by eating large portions. Food quality and quantity both count.

3. Ghrelin: Ghrelin is the hormone that is responsible for increasing your appetite. People who do not get the proper amount of sleep (7-8 hours) tend to have higher levels of ghrelin. Studies have shown that people with elevated ghrelin levels tend to crave foods that are calorie dense and high in carbohydrates. For obvious reasons this can quickly derail your weight loss program.

4. Leptin: This hormone is an appetite suppressor. It lets your body know when you are satisfied. This normally isn't an issue unless you are distracted. Several studies have shown that people will eat more when they are watching television. In this case, it is important that your portion sizes are determined before you start eating. Leptin levels are also tied your sleeping habits. Leptin levels are lower in people who do not get the proper amount of sleep.

These are just a few of the hormones that you have to keep in mind as you are losing weight. As you can see, stress and lack of sleep can destroy your weight loss efforts. Your hormones are more powerful than any workout or meal plan. Make sure you are getting the proper amount of sleep and adding a stress relieving activity to your routine.

Enjoy!

Grrrrrr.......just read your post. I am sunk!! All of this is so true and the truth hurts. I am a 911 dispatcher. Stress up and down all day long. 10 hrs a day. The last 10 yrs have really started to show, but more on my back side....BONUS....My alarm goes off at 02:20 am everyday. I start my shift at 4am. I average 5-6 hrs of sleep a night. And I suppose at the age of 41 it isn't gonna help since I'm upon menopause.......Not yet but It's on it's way
SO......with all that being said, Take more deep breaths during the day. Exercise to decrease stress and try to get into bed by 7pm.....That should help since I can't quit my job.

MadeToCraveHIM

Great info put all in one place. Thanks for sharing!

floridabootcamp

Thanks everyone! It was my pleasure! I have some more of these that I will be posting in the near future since my post on 5 ways to reduce stress at work wasn't a hit on here....lol

chrisdavey

great thread

floridabootcamp

Thanks Chris! I accepted your friend request!