What about stress causes weight loss?

[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.

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm hearing all this talk of "divorce diet"...are you saying the stress of divorce caused weight loss or that you went on a diet - post divorce - because you were back in the dating game?

[makbike]

Mr. Silver,

I think it is safe to say I had a very stressful summer last year. First, my surgery to remove that softball size mass fondly known as "Junior" from my abdomen. This little health issue created a lot of mental stress as well as physical stress. Second, the end of my 3 1/2 year relationship came just days after my surgery. Yet another stress factor. I dropped 10 pounds last summer and can safely say it was all due to what transpired during my summer vacation. People handle stress in different ways. I lost my appetite and spent a lot of time on my bike. I'm positive the number of calories going in did not equal the number I was burning as I pedaled about trying to sort things out in my life. Life must be returning to normal for I've gained back five of those pounds but am hoping with the return of warm weather and all the riding I have planned that they too will disappear.

Hang in there and keep your chin up. Enjoy the weight lose.

[Tuckervill]

I'm hearing all this talk of "divorce diet"...are you saying the stress of divorce caused weight loss or that you went on a diet - post divorce - because you were back in the dating game?

The stress of the divorce caused the weight loss in my case. In my mom's and dad's case, too, and in several of my girlfriends'.

It could be that I was thrust into poverty, as well.

Karen

[tulip]

In my case, it was as if a weight had been lifted. Years of unhappiness had finally found an answer and a solution. And my extra weight disappeared, went away. I was not dieting, but I had lost my taste for certain foods (coffee and sugar) and had gained a taste for fresh fruit. Go figure.