This week we have been discussing Pilates,
weight loss and the factors that contribute to weight loss. Stress is
often cited as a cause of weight gain -- or weight loss -- and Pilates
is often cited as a stress-reducing exercise system. So today we will
explore the effects stress has on the body and how Pilates can help.
After
sifting through all the information available on the internet regarding
stress and weight fluctuations, we came to one conclusion: doctors and
researchers disagree on the exact hormonal changes stress induces in
the body that could lead to changes in weight. In short, some believe
stress increases cortisol levels which causes weight gain. But according to the Mayo Clinic, "...there is no evidence that the amount of cortisol
produced by a healthy individual under stress is enough to cause weight
gain." In fact, popular diet pills which claimed to be "cortisol blockers" were recently banned by the FDA
for unsubstantiated claims of weight loss, and the companies were
forced to pay millions in consumer refunds. For a review of other diet
pills by the Mayo Clinic, click here.
Other sites discuss stress-induced insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
as additional causes of weight gain. Undoubtedly, stress is damaging
to the body, but each individual has his/her own unique health concerns
and his/her own predispositions to certain health issues. Thus, we
have included links to the additional information, but would prefer to
focus on that which the experts DO agree!
Most researchers, physicians and nutritionists agree that "emotional eating" or "nervous eating"
remains the true reason stress leads to weight gain. While some
respond to stress by NOT eating, many of us reach for the chocolate
chip cookie or the entire bag of chips in times of stress. Because
eating healthily -- like choosing the carrot sticks over the candy bar
-- can feel like punishment to the overworked, exhausted, frazzled
body, we seek to "take care of ourselves" with food that instantly
gratifies us and makes us say "life is good after all!" The desire to
take care of one's self is a positive act, yet the choices made usually
are not the best for the body in the long run.
The good news: Pilates
can help keep stress in check! It can be hard to shift your thinking
to viewing exercise as a reward and a gift you give to yourself, but
our suggestion is simple -- give it a try! Wouldn't it be worth it if
you slept better or felt better about yourself after your workout? Try
the Renew and Revitalize Workout from UltimatePilatesWorkouts.com
for an energizing, core strengthening workout, or the Strength and
Challenge Workout for a more challenging routine that will surely
release excess stress!
If you're struggling with cravings,
unfortunately, there is no easy solution. Try a Hershey's Kiss instead
of the entire candy bar, or buy a smaller bag of chips if you fear
you'll devour a large bag before you know it. Satisfying a craving is
not the problem...the degree to which one satisfies a craving usually
is! You just have to decide "will eating this make me more or less
happy in the long run....."