What about stress causes weight loss?

[Tuckervill]

I think you should start exercising right away, no matter what. That will help with the stress. That BP needs to come down quick.

Maybe your heart rate is elevated, too, which would mean more calories burned? I dunno. It sounds similar to when I was on the divorce diet and shrunk down to my pre-puberty size.

I question whether "stress" causes weight gain across the board. In my family we don't get fat under stress. We get smaller. In DH's family it is the opposite, but they are all apple shapes (carry their weight at the waist and above) so that physiological difference could have something to do with it. (It does make them at higher risk for diabetes, so it would make sense that their body reacts differently to other things.)

I wouldn't discount a delayed, or maybe accumulating, reaction to the grief of losing your father. It took my son a year to fully recognize the effects on his psyche of being in Iraq and all that happened at home while he was gone.

I hope whatever the stress is clears up really soon for you.

Karen

[LBTC]

Mr.S. I'm sending you butterflies of calm and gentle awareness. I hope that your stress is reduced soon!

I'm no pro, but I think when the adrenal system, which is involved in stress, is elevated, the metabolism speeds up. While this can lead to weight loss, even more energy, it can not be maintained and can lead to other problems. Be careful and aware of how you feel - I think all of my illness was really caused by adrenal stress. I'm taking a variety of herbal, homeopathic and botanical remedies, including one that directly supports the adrenal system with a precise combination of B vitamins, some herbs I've never heard of, and even bovine adrenal gland.

DH recently lost a whack of weight due to stress. The stress was reasonably short term - maybe a couple of weeks - and he took advantage of the way he was feeling to ramp up his exercise program, so the weight loss has maintained and even continued. He looks great, now!

Do try to get back to your exercise program - it will help you feel better in so many ways!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[tulip]

I was on the divorce diet over a 1.5 year ago and I lost alot of weight. I was eating more apples, too, so maybe that was it.

I think stress affects people in different ways. Some gain, some lose, some sleep, some get insomnia. Mr. S, it seems like you've had a rough few months with your dad and your mom, and then with the kiddo getting ready to go to college...Take time to take care of yourself.

[Starfish]

Hi Mr.,

I can't help with your actual question...I am among those who overeat and gain under stress (compulsion, cortisol, etc.).

But, I know that in the months around and after losing my folks last year, my brothers and I were in quite a fog...didn't even realize how much...despite keeping going with work, training, estate stuff. I guess what I'm saying is...you might be taking in fewer calories than you realize. You might try jotting down your intake for a week, and just seeing if you aren't eating less than you think?

And...a sudden weight loss is also worth checking out with a doc, maybe?

All around, you and Silver and family have remained in my prayers.

[Andrea]

Your body's hormonal resopnse to stress includes release of a cocktail of adrenal hormones that, in combination, cause what you're experiencing:

-Cortisol: A catabolic (breaks stuff down) hormone that, during times of stress, seems to act preferentially on the protein (muscle) in your body. Normally, this would be released during exercise and would aid in the breakdown of fat and (to some degree) stored glycogen as well as a small amount of muscle in order to keep up with ATP production.

-Epinephrine: One of the most multi-tasking hormones in the body. It's not only catabolic to fat and glycogen, it is also a powerful stimulant to the body. Excess release will result in a reduced appetite, higher resting heart rate & blood pressure, and elevated body temperature. It's mainly the stimulant properties that will cause weight loss.

I'm better at science than I am at psychology, but hopefully this helps...

[Di bear]

I think it's actually a simple explanation that most people don't comprehend for obvious reasons: we all love to eat when we're upset. I LOVE JUNK FOOD when I'm really upset.

However, there are people who don't eat as a response to stress. It's the simple calories in/calories out equation: if you don't take calories in, but keep getting rid of calories, even if it's just by breathing, then you're going to lose weight.

I had a serious problem with depression in my early 20s when I was at Michigan State. There was a short while where I spent most of my time in bed, and a lot of time crying in the car. Well, I generally don't eat in bed, I sleep. I lost 20 pounds in a very short span of time.

I've gained it all back since then. Now, I'm a happy cyclist and loss of appetite is only an issue if I have tonsillitis like I did a couple weeks ago.

[NbyNW]

I lose weight when I'm stressed, too.

My first year of grad school I went from 108 to 92 lbs. I was only getting 5 hrs of sleep a night and had to eat constantly to get through each day. A few of my classmates were gaining weight at the same time I was losing. Everyone's different. I'm pretty sure I was eating more than "normal," too . . . to my normal, healthy diet I added more yogurt, more fruit, nutella and crackers, donuts, oatmeal, instant soup, and I drank pop for the first time in 10 years . . . it actually took me a couple of years to put the muscle back on after that period of my life was over.

Sounds like you're going through a big transition . . . as someone else said it's probably a good idea to check in with your doctor . . . do what you need to do to get through this tough time, and when you're ready start taking steps to reintroduce activities/habits that are "normal" to you, or find a "new normal."

Take good care of yourself

[bikesanddogs]

I overeat when mildly stressed and lose weight like crazy when quite stressed, especially when the stress is chronic and not soon resolved. First divorce, for example. Sounds as if you might be in the second situation.

Make sure you eat healthy food so as not to compound the problem.

My blood pressure also rises with stress. Monitor it, talk to your doctor, and exercise or do whatever reduces your stress. I'm seeing the doctor as my blood pressure is spiking. She recommended an Omron upper-arm cuff model for home testing.