Stress can pile on the pounds

FEELING stressed can lead to us making wrong food choices as we’re more likely to grab a bar of chocolate than a carrot stick when feeling under pressure.

Stress can trigger chemical changes in the body resulting in bad food cravings and whilst making you feel better briefly, it is bad news for those watching their weight.

In stressful situations, the brain signals that it is under threat and floods the body with stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. If stress levels remains high, cortisol hangs round in the body long after any initial adrenalin rush is over, wanting energy rich foods as the brain’s attempt to balance out the physical and mental demands of stress. 

Cortisol also affects how fat is distributed around our bodies and it builds up in the worst place, around our middles making it harder to shift.

So to beat the bulging waistline try looking at your stress levels and stay calm to help reduce the temptation of reaching for the chocolate.