Lesson 6 - Is Stress Making You Overweight?

“How To Make Yourself Fat?”

Stress and your lifestyle - play a big role in reaching your goal for fat loss success. So far we’ve touched on diet (nutrition) and exercise (weight training and cardio), but is it…

…Easier Said Than Done?

Modern day life, is one big rush!

There’s so much to be done; 10 hours of work a day, commutes that seem to get longer each year, and the stress and strain of managing a home, children, partner etc…the list of things to do and get done seems to be endless!

I’m not surprised if YOU are stressed, and overweight - it’s hard to find time and the motivation to do things right all the time, especially when the cards are stacked against you.

You Need To Find Ways To Reduce Stress If You Want To
Improve Your Health AND Lose Weight

By reducing the stress in your life, you will improve your overall health, you’ll encourage your body to look and feel healthier, and you’ll be able to motivate yourself to do what it takes to burn fat and get in shape.

Don’t forget - your body is a machine complete with the tools needed to recover and get back to its optimum shape.

You just need to flick the switch.

But you need to take the proper steps to improve the overall quality of your life, which will help you take back what you have lost due to stress.

You’ve got to make changes to start seeing results.

Stress can have a big impact on your health AND life - so you’ve got to include some stress busters in your fat burning, health improvement plan.

Is Stress Making You Fat?

The science of stress…

Do you know what cortisol is?

When you are stressed, your body produces a hormone known as cortisol.

Cortisol = Stress Hormone = Weight Gain

Cortisol does have its good points, BUT when your goal is fat loss and toning up, high levels of cortisol are a BIG no no.

Research has shown that over time, high cortisol levels can increase the breakdown of muscle tissue. WORSE - it also helps add more fat around your middle, on top of your abs! Giving you a bigger belly and flabby love handles.

If you are stressed, cortisol is working against you, negating all your hard work in the gym and your healthy eating efforts.

So what can you do?

The 3 Main Things You Need To Focus On…

1. Work to lower the quantity and frequency you are exposed to stress in your life.

Identify what the core sources of stress in your life are and eliminate them!

It’s easier said than done though. You need to really drill down to the core of the problem and see where the stress is really coming from.

For example problems at home maybe caused by another source. It could be your commute, or some idiot in the office that really is the core source causing you to be stressed. But it’s at home where the stress is unleashed. Putting strain on your relationship, causing arguments and frustration in your home life.

Find the ‘true’ source, then find a ‘fix’.

For example if the source is your commute, can you car share so you’re driving less, or can you work at home one day a week. If it’s a work colleague causing the problem, can you move departments, or move desks?

Once you set your brain the tasking of identifying the core problem, and finding a solution, you’ll be able to quickly find ways to avoid the source of your stress.

2. Give yourself TIME to de-stress to relax and do things you enjoy.

Just as you schedule meetings into your diary, you MUST schedule PLAY time too. Remember the old phrase…

“Work hard, play hard!”

If you’re not getting enough play time, you’re just going to burn yourself out and get stressed FAST. Schedule time each week to do something you love or join a club. Doing things you enjoy releases the feel good hormone endorphin, which will help bust stress and lower cortisol levels.

3. Essential Fatty Acids are known to suppress cortisol levels, see Tom Venuto’s Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle (Chapter 9: The amazing benefits of good fats (EFA’s)).

It’s not easy, but if you are serious about getting a gorgeous body you have to find ways to successfully manage stress and deal with stressful situations.

Next up - The Final Lesson - The Secret Fat Burning Formula

Yours For A Healthier, Fitter Body,

Ian Jones
Author & Editor
HowToBurnFat.co.uk

P.S. Have you ever wondered why some people burn fat with great ease, while others almost kill themselves just trying to burn a few pounds?

Here's a secret system that can 'flick the switch' in your body and rapidly annihilate stubborn body fat (all revealed when you turn to chapter 7): Click here to download now...

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