Many of us like to indulge in comfort foods when we feel stressed. But the relationship between stress and weight gain includes many other factors beyond consuming a few extra calories. “Researchers have long known that rises in the stress hormone cortisol lead to weight gain. Every time you’re stressed, your adrenal glands release adrenalineContinue reading “In the News: Stress & Weight”
Tag Archives: anxiety
Self-Care & Exercise: Deep Breathing
Deep breathing exercises have been associated with reduced stress, anxiety, and depression in numerous studies (1). By reducing cortisol levels, deep breathing exercises can normalize our hormone levels, leading to fewer cravings and reduced appetite. Deep breathing can also improve focus which is a valuable skill for weight maintenance (2). Diaphragmatic breathing (explained below) canContinue reading “Self-Care & Exercise: Deep Breathing”
Women’s Clothing Sizes: The Marketing of Vanity
If you have ever used a commercial sewing pattern, you were probably shocked to discover that your ready made clothing size was not your pattern size. For example, currently I’d take size 20 shirt in Butterick patterns, as compared to a size 14 in Target’s Knox Rose brand (1, 2). This is because most women’sContinue reading “Women’s Clothing Sizes: The Marketing of Vanity”
Exercise: The Benefits of Yoga
Yoga can have many health benefits – both physical and psychological. Let’s take a look at some studies to learn if this exercise is right for you. Yoga is based upon an ancient practice first recorded in India about 5,000 years ago (1). Modern yoga focuses on strength, flexibility, agility, and breathing. There are manyContinue reading “Exercise: The Benefits of Yoga”
Self Care: Mindfulness
Have you been seeing the term mindfulness more often lately? It’s not always associated with dieting, but it is often discussed in terms of health benefits. As it turns out, it can play a role in maintaining a healthy weight. Sometimes mindfulness is coupled directly with food, as in mindful eating. In that case, it’sContinue reading “Self Care: Mindfulness”
Maintain Weight Loss 