Episode 167. Stress Less, Weigh Less: All About Cortisol

Could stress be the hidden culprit behind your weight loss struggles? In this episode, I discussed the role of cortisol, the stress hormone, and its impact on weight loss. Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, is essential for managing stress but can hinder weight loss when chronically elevated. When stressed, cortisol triggers an increase in blood sugar, fuels muscles for action, and plays a role in fat distribution—particularly around the abdomen.  Furthermore, high cortisol levels over time can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, weakened immune response, and sleep disturbances. I offer practical strategies to balance cortisol, including stress management, regular moderate exercise, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet. Also, I emphasize the importance of mindfulness, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, and engaging in positive social interactions to keep cortisol levels in check and support weight loss goals. Tune in to learn how to balance your cortisol levels and take control of your weight loss journey with practical tips and strategies!   Episode Highlights: Ways to balance insulin About cortisol Functions of cortisol in our body Causes of chronically high cortisol Effects of chronic high cortisol Balancing cortisol levels  Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click