06/11/2025
This week is Stress Awareness Week and if you’ve ever tried to lose weight whilst juggling work deadlines, family responsibilities, or the rollercoaster of midlife changes, you’ll know how frustrating it can feel. You’re eating “right” most of the time, moving your body when you can, yet the scales barely budge - or worse, they creep upwards.
When you’re stressed, your body produces more of the hormone cortisol. In small bursts, cortisol is helpful as it gives you energy to respond to challenges. But when stress becomes constant, cortisol stays elevated, which can affect weight in several ways;
Many women believe they simply need more discipline. They blame themselves for “falling off the wagon” when in reality, it’s stress, not lack of willpower, that’s driving those late-night biscuit raids or skipped workouts.
Some practical steps include;
🍂 Prioritise quality sleep
🍂 Focus on gentle movement, such as walking and stretches
🍂 Nourish your body with healthy foods and don't deprive yourself with restrictive diets
🍂 Calm your nervous system with deep breathing or meditation techniques
Stress may be an unavoidable part of life, but staying stuck in the stress-weight cycle doesn’t need to be the norm. By focusing on sleep, joyful movement, nourishing food, and daily stress relief, you can take back control and create lasting change.
To read more on my tips for managing stress whilst remaining healthy, head over to my full blog; https://www.inspiring-wellness.com/post/over-50-how-stress-impacts-weight-loss