[scout wife]

Has anyone else seen the connection between emotions and weight gain/loss? I'm not just talking about, "I feel sad so I'm going to eat a tub of Bryers" emotional weight, but that "anger makes my butt big" or "stress makes my tummy blow up."
I notice in me that on weeks when I'm stressed out, angry about something, or just plain cranky I'll gain weight, even when I'm "on track." This last week, my Hubby was taking his foul mood out on me, and I was getting resentful about it. I gained 2 lbs. We finally talked things through, I relaxed considerably, and woke up today 3 lbs smaller. No changes in food or exercize, just a better attitude.
Something else to consider: My mother used to always tell me that "Skinny Chicks are crazy." (I'm talking *skinny* not fit, trim or healthy) When I was at my smallest, I was unhealthy, stressed, depressed, and all together INSANE. Anyone got any skinny friends like that? (I DO!!)
Sometimes I just need a burger and a beer (Guiness, not light beer). I know that in theory that kind of meal should be harmful to my goals. The thing is that feeling happy and relaxed and enjoying a "cheat meal" seems to help progress more.
What do y'all think??
-Erin

[teahoney]

You know, I've never paid attention to that within myself. I'll be on the lookout for that.

[rosiek2277]

Wow, I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever made that correlation. Usually when I’m not in a good mood I really do eat badly!

Usually while I’m having my “cheat meal” I feel great however afterwards when I reflect on the need for cheat meals I don’t feel so good. I just wish I could eat just what my body needs - rOsie -

[Odaley]

Ha, I'm going to post the thread's title on my 'fridge! That's so true.

Well, I'm sure we've all seen those silly comercials for, "You need Relacore!" They're onto something even if what they're selling is a vitamin (I'm not sure--never took it).

When we're stressed, our body does release cortisol. Here's some side effects of cortisol from this a link I find. Do a search on cortisol and you'll get a bunch of info:

Impaired cognitive performance
Suppressed thyroid function
Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
Decreased bone density
Decrease in muscle tissue
Higher blood pressure
Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, as well as other health consequences
Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a greater amount of health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some of the health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, the development of , higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which can lead to other health problems!

My problem is that I'm an emotional eater, too. When I stress, I eat. I have a double wammy.

[TBJ333]

Yep, uh...

Happiness makes my Hips more Hipp-like!

Sadness makes me look Stuffed.

Er... I'll stop now.

Yeah, I totally agree that the heroine chic people are crazy. I know some ladies who are stressed almost every minute of the day, because they have to eat too little and exercise too much in order to maintain their weak, underdeveloped bodies. (I do have one friend who is skinny b/c of a health problem, so not saying all skinny chicks are crazy. Just the ones who obsess over their bodies.)