Does Stress Alone Cause Weight Gain?

[Miss Austin]

Hey Everyone,
I got on the scale today and was really upset to see that I gained nearly three pounds in a matter of two days. My eating habits have not changed. I did have to take four days off from exercise due to illness, but other than that my body has gotten its usual needs meet. I have even added running into my routine.
The only thing that has really been a big change is my stress level. Recent family querrells have left me really upset. So my only guess is that this weight gain has to do with stress. What do you think?

Thanks for your help,
Niki

[lakini77]

Stress can absolutely cause weight gain. So can depression. I have been suffering with depression for about 5 years now and stress definately does not help when you are trying to lose weight.(I have gained alot because of it as well as other things.) We can't avoid stress. Everyone has it some just have less than others. Also if I'm not mistaken, stress increases the amount of cortisol in your body and that's what causes the weight gain or something like that. I know it's tough when you gain a few pounds after doing so well in losing them, but maybe it's just water weight? I don't know just a thought. Just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. From the looks of it, you and I are pretty close in where we've started and where we want to end in terms of weight goals. If you ever would like to chat, I'm here

Take care and good luck,
Carly

[Choco-cat]

I don't think stress alone can cause weight gain. I'd say it's all in how you deal with it. Some people who are especially stressed out lose weight, right? It's completely in how you choose to deal with it. When you're stressed out, don't reach for a bowl of ice cream. Go work out. It reduces stress and you'll feel a whole lot better when you're done.
You said you'd taken four days off exercise due to an illness. Have you been drinking as much water while you're sick as you usually do? Have you been eating nutritiously while you're sick? Could you be retaining water? I'm sure there are plenty of good reasons you're up a few pounds. I just don't believe it's due to stress.

Choco-cat

[amedeau]

Niki... as Carly said, stress can impact ones weight, but if I had to guess, I would say that you are seeing water weight. If I have had too much sodium in my diet I can expect to see a 1-3 pound gain in weight, but then a day or two later that 1-3 lbs are gone.

If I were you, I wouldn't be weighing myself every day (or even every couple days). It honestly serves no purpouse. Not to mention, if you are exercising, even just cardio, your body will tone up. As you tone, you gain muscle, which weighs more than fat. So, you might not see a huge weight loss over time, but your measurements will decrease.

Finally, I understand about stress and drama. I ended up in court with my ex-wife over the last two years, and lets just say it totally screwed my body over. Now I don't let her (or anything) get to me. I change my stress into energy and just workout, walk, run, or whatever twice as hard.

Best of luck

[lakini77]

I never said stress alone causes weight gain and it's not a matter of how you "deal with it", it's how a person's body and chemistry inside of them reacts to it.(a person either loses or gains weight, if it's chemical thing, one does NOT have control over that.) Granted there are some people who pig out if they are stressed, but this is not the case with Niki.

You would be amazed at what stress can do to a body and it's not because of how one "deals with it". (ie: going for a run vs a bowl of ice cream.)

Niki, I really don't think you have to worry to much. Just hang in there. See how it is in a couple of days and let us know.

Carly

[Miss Austin]

Hello Everyone,
Thanks for your thoughts.

Choco-cat - your right about all of those other things that could have been happening to me. But the thing is the food intake was normal maybe even less than normal and my water intake was up so that I could flush out whatever it was. I am just hoping that its water retention or something.

Amedeau - I am sorry to hear about your ex-wife...womem can be a pain for sure. I also use my stress to workout a little harder. In fact, it is what made me sick in the first place. My aunt who is basically my mom said I couldnt make a 4 lb loss in a week, and therefore I had to prove her wrong. I am glad that you are feeling better now. Keep up the great work.

Carly, thanks for your imput. You made me feel a lot better. I am sorry about the depression, I can understand how it can effect every part of your life. Everyone suffers from it like you said, and it stinks. In fact, I am doing a major research project on how family factors have effects on childhood mental illness, with a concentration on depression. Should be exciting.

I would love to a buddy of yours. You have lost a lot of weight and I am so proud of you, you have come a long way on such a difficult road. PM me any time.

Thanks Everyone,
Niki

[lakini77]

Thanks Niki Let me know how all of your research goes. I would be curious to know. Keep me posted on how your are doing. Feel free to PM me anytime if you want to chat or anything. By the way, your such a pretty girl. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. Don't let a couple of pounds get in the way of that.

Carly

[Choco-cat]

Originally posted by lakini77:
I never said stress alone causes weight gain and it's not a matter of how you "deal with it", it's how a person's body and chemistry inside of them reacts to it.(a person either loses or gains weight, if it's chemical thing, one does NOT have control over that.) Granted there are some people who pig out if they are stressed, but this is not the case with Niki.

Right Carly, but if you combat that with a regular exercise routine, the weight gain won't happen. Sure you can be stressed out, your cortisol levels can be high which contributes to weight gain around your middle, but if you exercise your body secretes biochemicals called beta endorphins, which calm you down and decrease the levels of stress hormones in your body.
I'm not picking on you Carly. You seem very defensive toward me and I don't really think it's warranted. I'm just saying IMO it's a matter of choice as to whether you continue to sit in front of the tv thinking "woe is me, I'm so stressed out" or going outside for a walk. It's simple. Energy makes energy. You're feeling like a sloth laying around the house, get up and get moving. You'll feel better.

Small print: I'm not talking about depression. I understand depression is a more serious issue and can sometimes require the use of medication to get better. I have never been depressed. I'm just talking about stress. And I've been though enough that I know what brings my stress levels down.

[kimmieq]

I suffer from sever depression myself. Fortunatly it has not affected my weight loss too too much. I have had an extremely stressful 2 days, and this morning, I was up 2 lbs. Not sure if that is from what I ate over the last 2 days ( had a big potato last night) or if its the stress. I just started work last week, my husband lost his very well paying job 2 weeks ago, and then our car broke down yesterday, and we have no way to fix it right now. Because of all this, we may be moving to another state. Things are very hard for us right now, so I am hoping the the stress of it all doesnt cause me to gain any more. I am down 30 lbs, and really dont want to gain even an oz. Im sure you can all relate to that...lol Keep us posted on what happens Niki, I would love to know. And btw, thanks for letting me vent...

[GamecockGirl]

Miss Austin! Look at you in your black dress! Looking good, girl! What did everyone say when they saw you? How about your aunt? Amazing difference in the 2 pictures. You must be feeling like a million bucks!

Everyone who posted to you about stress is right in one way or another. Stress can make you gain weight and guess why? When you are stressed, the majority of people eat and sit. If you eat (regardless of how well) and sit without moving your body like you did the days you were sick, then it makes you gain. Consistency of eating well PLUS exercise helps maintain or lose. If you eat and sit, then so does your food. That WAS a change for you. You were exercising and even added running (which is a wow. I had to get to like 210 before I could RUN) and then BAM...no exercise with the same routine. You were bound to gain. Be consistent with your workouts.

The sodium and the water retention and all could also be true. You can drink more to flush it out but the fact is you may have consumed more sodium (even diet drinks, maybe?) and that made a change in your weight.

Either way, its no biggie. I'm sorry you are having stress issues. That really s u c k s! But, handle it differently as Choco said and you will see a decrease in your weight.

Good luck, sweetie. You have done a fabulous job so far. It is not time to give up yet.

[lakini77]

I'm not attacking anyone, all I was trying to say was that a person with a mood disorder may not find it as easy to "get up and go" when they are stressed out. For a healthy person who doesn't have a mood disorder sure it's going to be alot easier for them to "get up and go" or choose to sit on the couch. It's a conscious decision.

I have battled and am still battling a mood disorder and it's not a matter of snapping out of it and going for a run if I'm stressed. People with mood disorders have a hard enough time getting up out of bed and getting ready for the day nevermind deciding to go for a run or not to beat the stress. I totally agree that physical activity makes you feel better, but it's a matter of getting there mentally for some. I'm not picking on anyone just trying to help you understand and see it from a different point of view.

Take care all,
Carly

[lakini77]

Kimmieq, I'm sorry to hear about all your troubles. If you ever need to chat or anything feel free to PM me. Sometimes only a person that has experienced depression can understand.

Thanks and take care,
Carly

[kimmieq]

Thanks lakini, I appreciate that. Things are looking up a bit, at least for today...hopefully they will stay that way. I hope you have a wonderful weekend...

Kimmie

[Miss Austin]

Kimmie,
Thanks for your post. I do have to get back to exercising regularly. There is a bad worm bacteria that is going around my dorm room, and its really effecting a lot of us. With this problem it makes you really tired and unmotivated to do anything but sit and eat..if you can get food down. Lucky or not so lucky for me I can atleast eat.
Tonight I will get back into that routine. I love the bike, so I will spend some time on it. The running piece is slow I do 2 min of walking 1 min of running, but its atleast a start.
I am sorry that you life has been so stressful. I have never been in your situation per se but my family has never really had the means to keep afloat. Money is always a stressor, but your doing a wonderful job, and just keep reminding yourself of that.

GameCockGirl - thanks for the comment. Sometimes its hard to see the small changes when you have someone you love very much telling you how fat you are. My Aunt was upset to see that I looked pretty in that dress...but everyone else gave me great reinforcement by telling me I looked nice. My boyfriend's mom even told me to wear a shorter dress to my boyfriend's birthday party. I was floored...big step for mommy and an awesome compliment to me. You know the mommy's boys type. Mom isnt willing to let her lil boy go and be a man lol.

Thanks everyone for your little rays of sunshine today.

Niki

[Debbee404]

all I have to say is YES!!!

11/08/03 109lbs
6/17/06 165lbs
10/17/06 128lbs

WOOOOHOOOO