So, I haven't written a post in a long while.
I originally started writing because I did want to get my ideas out to help others, but a major part of it was to help myself stay focussed on what I needed to do to lose weight.
I can tell you, since I stopped writing mid last year, I have gained 7 kilos.
I went through a major life change which created a lot of stress for me, and I've been struggling to stick to my healthy eating lifestyle.
There are a few factors that caused me to put the weight back on, and by identifying them now, I am starting the process of getting focussed again and losing the extra weight.
The main one was overeating. After creating this healthy lifestyle for myself 3 years ago, I find that eating the right foods has not been difficult.
I do treat myself to the occasional 'cheat meal' which I always have, and is a huge part of achieving the maintainable lifestyle, but my body craves healthy foods, and I have become accustomed to eating them.
The thing that has got me, is the amount of food I have been eating. Even the healthiest foods have calories, so by eating a larger meal-even if it is healthy, I am consuming too many calories.
The second thing was drinking. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't turn into an alcoholic and drink through my stressful times!
I have had a lot more social events lately, especially over the Christmas period, where I have been consuming a little more alcohol than I usually would. Sometimes its easy to forget that alcohol carries so many calories because of its liquid form.
I generally stick to low carb beer, but even one bottle of low carb beer holds approx 130 calories and a big night could see me drinking my entire daily calorie goal.
Another contributor to the added weight, is Cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is important as it supports blood pressure and immune system. But a high amount of stress can produce excess levels of the hormone.
The symptoms of excess cortisol include:
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I originally started writing because I did want to get my ideas out to help others, but a major part of it was to help myself stay focussed on what I needed to do to lose weight.
I can tell you, since I stopped writing mid last year, I have gained 7 kilos.
I went through a major life change which created a lot of stress for me, and I've been struggling to stick to my healthy eating lifestyle.
There are a few factors that caused me to put the weight back on, and by identifying them now, I am starting the process of getting focussed again and losing the extra weight.
The main one was overeating. After creating this healthy lifestyle for myself 3 years ago, I find that eating the right foods has not been difficult.
I do treat myself to the occasional 'cheat meal' which I always have, and is a huge part of achieving the maintainable lifestyle, but my body craves healthy foods, and I have become accustomed to eating them.
The thing that has got me, is the amount of food I have been eating. Even the healthiest foods have calories, so by eating a larger meal-even if it is healthy, I am consuming too many calories.
The second thing was drinking. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't turn into an alcoholic and drink through my stressful times!
I have had a lot more social events lately, especially over the Christmas period, where I have been consuming a little more alcohol than I usually would. Sometimes its easy to forget that alcohol carries so many calories because of its liquid form.
I generally stick to low carb beer, but even one bottle of low carb beer holds approx 130 calories and a big night could see me drinking my entire daily calorie goal.
Another contributor to the added weight, is Cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is important as it supports blood pressure and immune system. But a high amount of stress can produce excess levels of the hormone.
The symptoms of excess cortisol include:
- Poor sleep
- Constant fatigue
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Low immune system
The weight gain is caused by boosted appetite as your body thinks it requires more energy to deal with stress, even though you're actually not burning more calories.
Weight is generally gained around your waist because fat cells in that area are more sensitive to cortisol.
To combat the effects of high levels of cortisol, it is important to try and maintain a stress free environment, but if you constantly find yourself in high stress situations, try and take some time out for yourself to meditate, relax and centre yourself whenever you can.
Also, stressing about your weight is not helping you either! Don't beat yourself up about where you're at right now, just focus on your goals looking forward and think positively.
I can also attribute some of my weight gain to muscle gain. Even though i've 'fallen off the wagon' I have still been going to the gym regularly. It is my stress release, my 'me time' and I always feel good after a work out.
I have been doing a lot of weight training, and have been feeling my muscles getting stronger and more defined. As you are probably aware, muscle weighs more than fat, so by gaining muscle, I am gaining weight, but a 'good' weight gain! This is one positive and I will focus on that as I continue my healthy lifestyle.
Now that I have identified the reasons for my weight gain, I have been able to work out what I need to do to get back on track.
It's always good to stop and analyse the situation and write yourself new goals.
So, my goals to get back on track are:
1. Eat smaller amounts
2. Drink less alcohol
3. Destress
What do you need to do?
