Does Worry Lead to Weight Gain?

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Does Worry Lead to Weight Gain? 


Do you find yourself worrying?  Is is it helpful? OR Is it harmful? 

In my life, weight and eating psychology training,  I have learned that the thoughts we choose trigger responses in our brain and in our whole body. 

These can be responses that trigger endorphins and relaxation response.  This responses help our body assimilate 40-60% more of the nutrients in our food.  

But, when we choose thoughts that trigger cortisol and stress response, we limit our own bodies ability to use food for fuel.  We trigger and insulin response that stores fat. 

I was studying Dr. David Jeremiah's Slaying the Giants this week.  The "giant" this week is worry.  Worry definitely triggers a stress response in the human body.  But there is hope.  

Here is what I learned from Dr. Jeremiah about worry. In the verses of Matthew 6: 25-34, he shows us the results of worry and how to overcome worry :
25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?c
28And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin.29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32For the pagans strive after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Dr Jeremiah pointed out that worry has five results -

  • Worry is Inconsistent - we lose focus on God's goodness
  • Worry is Irrational - we forget we are valued by God
  • Worry is Ineffective - we ruin today by worrying about tomorrow
  • Worry is Illogical - we forget God loves and cares for us
  • Worry is Irreligious - When we worry we forget Whose we are and who we are
No wonder it triggers the stress response and leads to weight gain!

Now let's look at the good news.  You are wonderfully made and you are able to overcome worry.  God made you with the ability to  choose your thoughts and direct your mind and your focus.  

Here are some step Dr. Jeremiah recommends when facing the giant of worry, and as I was studying these I realized that these are the steps I recommend to my clients as the are gaining control of emotional eating:

  • To win over worry and emotional eating, we need to have a system of priorities.  "vs 33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."
  • Then create a strategic program for 24 hours.  The burdens of today are enough, the burdens of today and tomorrow are too much. "vs 34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.
When I heard this, I realized that is exactly what I coach my clients to do!  We decide on what our priorities are and we decide what we will eat in the next 24 hours.  We put this in writing and follow through.  The result? - Less to worry about, less stress response - more peace, more relaxation response in our metabolism.

This also reminded me of the picture I posted at the top of this blog: "I AM ".  Take a minute to read it and let it sink in. 

When worry visits, notice it without judging yourself, then gently turn your eyes to the God who is I Am.  

I would love to  share more with you about your beautiful temple and the amazing resilience that has been placed within. I can help you establish your priorities and strategies.  Click on this link and you can schedule a free mini session today.    https://calendly.com/peggyhinman8/free-strategy-session

Let me end this blog with a beautiful reminder:
Deuteronomy 33:25 ... and as your day, so shall your strength, your rest and security, be. 

24 hours at a time. 

You are so beautifully and wonderfully made.
Peggy 

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