Why do we gain the fat in the abdominal area?
What’s the cause?
The main reason some people gather more fat around their middle than others is specifically because of the action of the stress hormone known as cortisol. Millions of years ago, our bodies were designed to react quickly to danger. If you were being chased by a dinosaur you could get the resources ASAP to get away! We were on constant alert so we could run or fight if threatened. When your brain thinks your life is in danger it stimulates the release of adrenaline and cortisol. This fight or flight response is incredibly clever and thoroughly efficient. It provides instant energy for 5-10 minutes allowing you to react swiftly to dangerous situations, however after 5-10 minutes we need to stabilize and relax.
These days, many of us live under chronic stress. But our bodies can’t distinguish between misplaced keys, missed appointments, spiraling debt, infuriating work environments, family disputes and the true life-threatening stress our bodies need to gear up for a challenge. So it reacts exactly the same as it’s always done. The problem with our modern lifestyles are that stress (our ‘perceived threat’) is almost continuous and comes without the natural release that either fighting or fleeing might provide. Unless you do something physical (as your body is expecting you to) all that extra energy, in the form of fat and glucose, has nowhere to go. It must be simply re-deposited as fat.
Are you stressed?
If you can see yourself in the list below, your cortisol levels are likely to be high:
The fat around the middle connection
If you don’t fight or flee when your body expects you to, the fat and glucose running through your system get deposited as fat – around the middle of your body. And if you eat something sugary or fatty as a consequence of the post-stress appetite surge, any weight you gain as a result, will be around your middle too. So why does it land on the abs? The reason fat targets the middle is because it is close to the liver where it can most quickly be converted back into energy if needed. There it provides the body with protection ready for the next stress attack. Your body is only trying to help. To continue providing the energy it thinks you need, it tries to keep a convenient fat store ready for constant use and creates cravings and increases appetite to ensure good supplies of necessary fuel. If you are a stress or emotional eater losing fat around your middle could be impossible with yoyo dieting and low impact exercise. You need to do more! Intense exercise, low carbohydrate diets, stress reduction techniques & I-Lipo!
See the Digestive Tab for information on digestive health. Supporting the organs, systems and nourishing the body are essential. However, if you do not digest your food none of these bodily functions can occur! It is one of the easiest-healthiest ways to get your health on track! Every 8 session i-Lipo package includes a free Stress Assessment, a $140 value.
What’s the cause?
The main reason some people gather more fat around their middle than others is specifically because of the action of the stress hormone known as cortisol. Millions of years ago, our bodies were designed to react quickly to danger. If you were being chased by a dinosaur you could get the resources ASAP to get away! We were on constant alert so we could run or fight if threatened. When your brain thinks your life is in danger it stimulates the release of adrenaline and cortisol. This fight or flight response is incredibly clever and thoroughly efficient. It provides instant energy for 5-10 minutes allowing you to react swiftly to dangerous situations, however after 5-10 minutes we need to stabilize and relax.
These days, many of us live under chronic stress. But our bodies can’t distinguish between misplaced keys, missed appointments, spiraling debt, infuriating work environments, family disputes and the true life-threatening stress our bodies need to gear up for a challenge. So it reacts exactly the same as it’s always done. The problem with our modern lifestyles are that stress (our ‘perceived threat’) is almost continuous and comes without the natural release that either fighting or fleeing might provide. Unless you do something physical (as your body is expecting you to) all that extra energy, in the form of fat and glucose, has nowhere to go. It must be simply re-deposited as fat.
Are you stressed?
If you can see yourself in the list below, your cortisol levels are likely to be high:
- A tendency to gain fat around your tummy
- Increased appetite
- Increased cravings for chocolate, sweets, breads, cakes, caffeine and alcohol (particularly any combination of carbohydrates and fats, such as chocolate and cakes because they are particularly high in calories)
- Your immune system is low (you get frequent colds and infections)
- Headaches
- Nail biting
- Teeth grinding
- High cholesterol (if you don’t know, get it checked)
- Blood sugar swings
- Digestive problems (such as bloating and flatulence)
- Chest pains – (you must see your doctor if you are getting chest pains but the effects of the stress hormones can mimic heart problems)
- Muscle aches and pains
- Shoulder and neck pain (stress hormones will keep certain muscles tense ready for fight or flight)
- Hair loss
- Irregular periods or no periods
- Difficulty in concentrating or forgetfulness
- Depression
- Increased premenstrual symptoms (PMS)
- Slower metabolism (which makes it harder to lose weight in general)
- Low sex drive
- Tiredness but an inability to sleep well
- Tendency to get a second wind in the evening
- Waking up in the middle of the night, finding it hard to get back to sleep and then desperately want to continue sleeping in the morning when you should be getting up.
The fat around the middle connection
If you don’t fight or flee when your body expects you to, the fat and glucose running through your system get deposited as fat – around the middle of your body. And if you eat something sugary or fatty as a consequence of the post-stress appetite surge, any weight you gain as a result, will be around your middle too. So why does it land on the abs? The reason fat targets the middle is because it is close to the liver where it can most quickly be converted back into energy if needed. There it provides the body with protection ready for the next stress attack. Your body is only trying to help. To continue providing the energy it thinks you need, it tries to keep a convenient fat store ready for constant use and creates cravings and increases appetite to ensure good supplies of necessary fuel. If you are a stress or emotional eater losing fat around your middle could be impossible with yoyo dieting and low impact exercise. You need to do more! Intense exercise, low carbohydrate diets, stress reduction techniques & I-Lipo!
See the Digestive Tab for information on digestive health. Supporting the organs, systems and nourishing the body are essential. However, if you do not digest your food none of these bodily functions can occur! It is one of the easiest-healthiest ways to get your health on track! Every 8 session i-Lipo package includes a free Stress Assessment, a $140 value.