Cortisol
Maybe you've already heard about cortisol. It's a hormone the body produces under stress. The theory is that dieting - which produces stress for most of us - increases cortisol levels. And for women who have dieted on and off again throughout life, they may end up looking more like "apples" than "pears" because of bigger waist lines that may be associated with high cortisol levels. The negative effect isn't all cosmetic, either. Real health risks accompany excess fat in the abdomen - like increased chances of developing diabetes and even heart disease.
Reducing Stress
So how do we achieve personal health goals without adding to our stress?
Feed yourself well.
Focus on feeding yourself balanced meals and snacks when you're hungry and stopping when you're satisfied.
Move your body regularly.
We're talking about physical activity. There's much more to physical activity than burning calories. It's a tremendous stress reducer Make your regular physical activity something you look forward to by coming up with fun ways to move your body. Join Curves and see how much it reduces stress, believe me it does work.
Think positively about yourself and your body.
At Curves, we help women start to think positively about themselves and their bodies. Imagine you've been eating well, you've been moving your body regularly, and you're feeling great. Accepting yourself does not mean that there isn't room for improvement. It just helps you treat yourself well so that you can better find your way to personal health goals.
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