Friday, March 18, 2011

Why am I fat around the middle?

A not so simple answer... "Why am I fat around the middle?"

Hormones!

There a 6 hormones that may be responsible for your fat around the middle!

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When you reach a certain age, generally around 40years ...
You will find an increase of fat around your middle, even
if you're working out and running it may be difficult to get rid of.

Why?

A Hormone Imbalance...A hormonal imbalance can happen anytime in your life.

Here are 6 hormones and some of them maybe causing you weight gain and fat around the middle.

  1. estrogen
  2. progesterone
  3. cortisol
  4. insulin
  5. androgen
  6. testosterone
Estrogen or Progesterone
Both these hormones are produced in the ovaries in women.
When you age your estrogen and progesterone levels naturally decline, 
causing a bit of havoc for your body.
Fat around the middle is among some of the signs and having you question why fat is collecting more easily.

Estrogen
When your body drops in estrogen 
you body tries to make up for the loss
by increasing fat cells,
because fat cells produce estrogen. 
Your body needs estrogen 
and what better way for the body
to get estrogen from the food you eat.
When you eat your body knows what
to do to get what it wants!
Converting food to fat!

Progesterone
When you have lower levels of progesterone you look fatter!
Why?
Because this decrease in progesterone
causes your cells in our body to hold water.
Hence you experience bloating and look and feel fatter.

Cortisol 
Is secreted by the adrenal glands in our body.
It has a very important function.
Every time you have a stressful moment it spurts out cortisol...
Stressing in front of your computer...
Figuring out what to do for dinner...
Your body thinks this is major stress, like you've been chased by a dinosaur.
Your body responds to this by releasing the hormone cortisol and
this cortisol is responsible for raising your sugar and insulin levels,
then sending a message to refuel. 
It is that fat around the middle that is cortisol happy
and alters the way we would normally store fat.

"You maybe sitting, watching someone getting chased by a dinosaur on TV, but you will have to carry the burden around your waist from this experience."

Stress is the single biggest factor in release of this hormone. 
Cortisol is responsible for your fright or flight response, and is your
 survival instinct. Your body instantly reacts to situations quickly to
keep you alert and safe.
The truth is years of being in the safe mode is wearing this system
out and slapping you in the gut with fat.

Insulin 
This is hormone released by the pancreas
and is good at controlling or regulating your sugar levels. 
When our sugars go up, so does our insulin. 
When we eat too much simple carbohydrates, 
like white breads, candy, donuts etc. 
Your body needs to control this increase, 
so releases the insulin into our system. 
If your body is overtaxed with sugary foods, 
excess insulin is release and your body has no choice 
but to convert the food you eat to stored fat. 

Androgen
A hormone hugely responsible for weight gain
and fat around your middle, 
especially during the menopausal stages of your life. 
When androgen rises because of falling estrogen and testosterone levels
it sends the message to put fat to your mid section.
One of the main purposes of the androgen
is to convert  into the female hormone estrogen 
and male hormone testosterone.

Testosterone
Is a hormone in male and females, 
testosterone levels tend to drop off during the
middle age stages in our life.
Our muscles need testosterone to build muscle.
The more muscle you have 
the faster your metabolism, 
the faster metabolism
the better your body burns calories 
and less fat stored.

I hope you enjoyed this article!

If you hold weight around your middle, what do you do about it?
Please let me know in the comment section.
Sign up for a 5K program and tips and motivation!

22 comments:

  1. Amazing article. I never knew any of this! When I gain weight I tend to gain weight around the middle right away. It is also the hardest place for me to lose weight as well. Definitely something to look into.

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    1. Thanks Kungphoo, it is a hard part to lose, but once you've figured out how to do the right things to get rid of it - problem is gone!

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  2. I know this is a struggle for many people. I do know that what you put in your body has a great deal with the challenges around the middle. I've been exercising on a daily basis for over 10 years now. It's not easy, but in the end it's all well worth it!

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    1. Absolutely Nate, exercise definitely wins out on fighting the middle bulge!

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  3. I got so used to fat around my middle, I was resigned it would always be with me. Over the past 6 months some of it has diminished as I've worked at weight loss and diet changes. I believe my culprit was insulin but from reading your excellent definitions I can see the interplay of some of the other hormones. Great article.

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    Replies
    1. Congratulations, once you've beaten the bulge and understand why it changes everything!

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  4. Great article. Wow! I know as I have reduced stress (and sugar/complex carbs) my weight decreased. Managing stress in a healthy way has helped me maintain.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Lynn! Congrats on what you've done on combating stress and your weight!

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  5. Great article and information. There are so many contributing factors to weight. It is always great to be informed so we can make better choices and take care of your bodies.

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  6. Very informative. There are many factors that we have to consider and manage.

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  7. Used to run, got injured a few years ago and now back to walking (not strolling). This will help getting rid of the ring around the middle. Good article

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    Replies
    1. Walking is so important and part of the running program, you are doing really well! Thank you!

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  8. This is a great article. I have learned so much! Now I need to go for a run :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Go for it, but remember to take it slow and walk/run.

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  9. Very interesting information. I didn't know about this.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Carele, I'm glad you've learned something new :)

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  10. Great information! I can definitely say that fat around my middle has been more of an issue as I went through my 50's and 60's. You have answered that question with great expertise. I so appreciate reading blogs with such good information. Thanks.

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  11. I'm turning 30 next month and I worry about the amount of fat around my belly. I do crunches and sit ups!

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  12. This is great Marielle, keep it up and just add some weekly walking and you've got it covered!

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