Can stress alone cause weight gain ?

Iammelting

My brother passed away this week and it has been horribly sad, stressful etc.... I wasnt even eating alot of food but was up almost 4 pounds !!!!!!!!!!! what the heck ?

ColleenRoss50

My deepest condolences on the loss of your brother!

Stress can cause sodium and water retention which would likely account for the weight gain that you are experiencing.

lcoulter23

Yes it can, I am in cosmetology school and have gained a little weight just from all the stress I have been under. I still stick to my calories, it's just the fact that I'm super stressed.

Elizabeth_C34

Yes it can, but right now, I'd suggest not worrying about it at all. Focus on mourning with your family. You can always come back to your weight loss later. Don't let the scale beat you up right now. It is not worth it.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

sandrarollins8100

I’m convinced stress can cause instant weight gain! A roofer came out to check a small leak on our covered patio. He found it & asked to go in our attic to check up there - great, until he stepped on a water pipe & broke it, flooded the bathroom & ceiling fell in. When the plumber came, the roofer went back in the attic & promptly fell through the kitchen ceiling! My nerves were shot and overnight my scale jumped up 3.5 lbs. I’m staying under my recommended calorie count, but the scale isn’t coming down! 😵‍💫

cwolfman13

sandrarollins8100 wrote: »

I’m convinced stress can cause instant weight gain! A roofer came out to check a small leak on our covered patio. He found it & asked to go in our attic to check up there - great, until he stepped on a water pipe & broke it, flooded the bathroom & ceiling fell in. When the plumber came, the roofer went back in the attic & promptly fell through the kitchen ceiling! My nerves were shot and overnight my scale jumped up 3.5 lbs. I’m staying under my recommended calorie count, but the scale isn’t coming down! 😵‍💫

Stress increases cortisol levels (the "stress hormone") in your body and inflammation which leads to excess water retention. High cortisol levels also increase appetite. In and of itself, stress doesn't cause weight (fat) gain, though increased appetite can...otherwise it's water. You don't gain fat overnight, it's biologically impossible.

paperpudding

Also OP posted this in 2012.

Given it was about the loss of her brother, perhaps we should be posting in a new thread, doesnt seem right to piggyback on to this one.