No matter what your age or circumstances, stress is an
inevitable part of everyone's life and ongoing stress actually
contributes to gaining weight. Elissa Epel, PhD and assistant
professor in the psychiatry department at the University of
California, states, "While the immediate...response to acute
stress can be a temporary loss of appetite, more and more we
are coming to recognize that for some people, chronic stress
can be tied to an increase in appetite - and stress-induced
weight gain."

Short term stressful situations, such as anxiety, excitement or
fear, cause an adrenaline rush that temporarily burns fat.
However, long term stress increases the level of the hormone
cortisol in our bodies, causing the body to store excess fat.
Most of this extra fat is stored in your belly and hips –
exactly where you don't want it.

Although several products claim to reduce cortisol, there is no
medical evidence to substantiate those claims. A proven way to
minimize cortisol levels in your body and eliminate excess fat
is by reducing your stress. There are many additional benefits
of stress reduction, such as lowered blood pressure and
increased mental health.

Here are several simple ways to de-stress for maximum physical
and emotional fitness:

1. Eat at least 4-6 small, well-balanced meals each day to
properly maintain the sugar levels in your body and ensure you
are getting all the essential vitamins and minerals you need.

2. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water every day to
flush the toxins out of your system.

3. Exercise for twenty to thirty minutes three to five times
each week. Choose a physical activity you enjoy, such as
biking, weight lifting or walking, because getting pleasure
from your exercise routine will also help minimize stress.

4. Avoid foods with sugar and caffeine that offer a false sense
of energy.

5. Avoid alcohol, which has an impact on the sugar levels in
your body.

6. Get plenty of sleep every night because when you are tired,
you tend to feel more hungry.

7. Engage in activities designed to help you relax, such as
yoga or meditation.

8. Watch less television - statistics show that up to ninety
percent of people who watch television an hour or more each day
fail at their weight loss goals.

9. Avoid crash diets which could increase your stress level and
actually cause the production of additional cortisol,
alleviating any potential weight loss you may have been able to
experience.

10. When you feel really hungry, choose whole-grain, high-fiber
foods, like oatmeal and fruit, which keep insulin levels even to
control blood sugar and your hunger.

By reducing the stress in your life, you can get rid of excess
fat and emotional baggage at the same time!


About The Author: Ryan Cote is the owner of
http://WeightLoss-Programs-Reviewed.com  a website that reviews
the top 4 best weight loss programs & plans.
http://www.weightloss-programs-reviewed.com