Pain and stress do burn calories

terra_allen
terra_allen Posts: 17
edited November 2024 in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
Hi I had wondered if pain and or stress burn calories. After talking with my nurse and a dietitian I found out pain of the kind I have at least, which is chronic and causes my muscles to be constantly isometricly tensioned as well as stress do burn calories so I have increased my activity level on here and will now try to eat at least 1800+ calories and see what that does.

Replies

  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    It has always been my understanding that stress can interfere with weight loss because of increased levels of cortisol in the body. The only way to really figure out how many calories you need to maintain weight, lose or gain is to do some experimentation.
  • aksteve777
    aksteve777 Posts: 184 Member
    stress makes one fat as it increases cortisol..agree. I broke my back and fractured my knees and was 300 pounds...no pain or stress in my work out plan..nope.
  • terra_allen
    terra_allen Posts: 17
    I wonder why stress causes me to lose weight then? Everyone's body is different though.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Stress tends to impact (as noted) hormones- and it's the same reason women *can* gain weight on BC.

    It's not the actual stress- or pill that's causing the weight gain- or loss- but merely tinkering with your hormones- and it's different for every one. My best friend STOPS eating when she's stressed- I eat. So she loses weight- and I gain.

    Trial and error are the only ways to figure out what the actual right numbers are. Not how hungry/not hungry you are.

    I.e. - I am hungry ALL THE TIME_ and on paper I'm busy enough I should be eating more than 2000 calories a day to gain- and to eat under 1800 to lose is absurd- but the numbers don't lie- I have to eat well under that to lose any weight.

    Same for gaining- if you aren't gaining- you aren't eating enough. Period.
  • terra_allen
    terra_allen Posts: 17
    I think it also depends on your metabolism in the end. I have a very high metabolism and I have found out dark chocolate reduces cortisol in my body. That and when I get stressed I have a hard time keeping food down. I end up eating like a bird and nibbling on little bits all day. Like I did just manage to eat a whole banana and earlier I had cottage cheese with blueberries and raspberries.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    edited March 2015
    Stress makes me gain, my body must retain water :/ and I eat less when stressed so go figure!
  • terra_allen
    terra_allen Posts: 17
    Excuse me but what is the post with words I can't read because there is this white thing with a key hole looking thing?
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Stress tends to impact (as noted) hormones- and it's the same reason women *can* gain weight on BC.

    It's not the actual stress- or pill that's causing the weight gain- or loss- but merely tinkering with your hormones- and it's different for every one. My best friend STOPS eating when she's stressed- I eat. So she loses weight- and I gain.

    Trial and error are the only ways to figure out what the actual right numbers are. Not how hungry/not hungry you are.

    I.e. - I am hungry ALL THE TIME_ and on paper I'm busy enough I should be eating more than 2000 calories a day to gain- and to eat under 1800 to lose is absurd- but the numbers don't lie- I have to eat well under that to lose any weight.

    Same for gaining- if you aren't gaining- you aren't eating enough. Period.

    Quoting Jo since she's in jail.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    In stressful times I lose weight.
  • terra_allen
    terra_allen Posts: 17
    So I am not the only one! Thank you.
  • terra_allen
    terra_allen Posts: 17
    MeganMoroz89 my mom and I were both runners and she knew several sports doctors. I learned from him that a student cramming for finals burn as many calories as someone running a marathon! It seems using your mind burns as many calories as exercising does. So thank you for the reminder! I have been doing so much research with health and foods I do feel like I am cramming for finals! I must also take that into account. This morning was the first one since my downhill weight slide that I was still at 102.8 pounds so it is looking like 1800+ calories will keep me stable but to gain I'll probably have to figure out how to eat that much food in one day. But I can eat a whole sandwich and a glass of juice in one sitting finally so I'll make it somehow.
  • terra_allen
    terra_allen Posts: 17
    auddii, thank you very much I like how you put that! At 63 years young I have learned that everyone is different and basically just as you quoted what your friend said it is trial and error to find what works for you. This knowledge is wisdom.
  • terra_allen
    terra_allen Posts: 17
    RunRutheeRun, one thing I learned living in the desert way way off the grid is that when I was ridiculously stressed was even though I was not eating much at all, less than 1000 calories a day and usually between 500 and 800 my body acted like it was starving which it was and it would take what little food I did eat and turned it into fat and I just didn't have much energy at all. I went from 116 pounds which is a good weight for me up to 155 pounds. Living that far off the grid meant canned and boxed food which really has almost no nutritional value at all. I am glad to be living in a home with indoor plumbing!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories