Health & Fitness

Stress affects fat storage on a body. Both the person who looses their appetite when experiencing stress and the person who over-eats when stressed, will still store fat around the middle.

The hormone cortisol is responsible for this happening. When cortisol is released by stress, the body responds by protecting vital organs. In times of food scarcity, the body will respond in the same why.

What happens when fat is stored in the middle:

• Energy is stored
• Vital organs are protected
• Fat is readily available to burn

Stress can trigger over-eating and then there is more fat to store. When a person under stress releases adrenaline, which is a strong appetite suppressant, the body becomes deficient and to protect itself will start to store fat around the vital organs.

Exercise is a more valuable component in weight loss for people who lead stressful lives. Exercise will provide the duel benefit of burning calories and reducing stress. During exercise, a hormone is released that relaxes and gives a feeling of wellbeing. Simply having an effective way to deal with stress in a healthy way may be the boost you need on the road to reach optimal weight.

The American Council on Exercising (ACE), announced its fitness trend predictions for 2007. One of the predictions was that small group training would increase. In groups of  5 or less not only will it be a social option for friends who are looking for alternatives to meeting at the local bar for happy hour, families will also be attracted to small group training. There are specialized training for a variety of ages in one small group. As families have less time together with busy schedules and children’s average weight continues to climb it will be a healthy alternative to the common board game for family night.

If you have limited time to exercise or you are unable to do vigorous exercise, try walking! Walking is an exercise almost everyone can do and it has health benefits after you stop walking.

During a brisk walk, calories are burned and muscles are toned. The benefits don’t stop when you finish walking and sit down on the couch. For up to twelve hours after walking the physical changes in your body continue. Metabolic changes and increased enzyme activity will continue the calorie use. The increase in metabolism means increased nutrients being absorbed. Elimination of toxins becomes more efficient, also.