At Detroit Strong, I talk alot about discipline, consistency, and rebuilding confidence through fitness. But there's one thing even the hardest fitness enthusiasts struggle with: stress.
And the truth is simple - if stress is running your life, it's also slowing down your weight loss.
Most people think fat loss is all about calories and workouts. But the reality is your body won't burn fat efficiently when it's constantly in "survival mode." Let me break down how stress impacts your progress and what you can do to take back control.
How Stress Slows Down Weight Loss
Your body responds to pressure by releasing cortisol, the stress hormone. A little cortisol is normal. But when it stays high - day after day - it creates the perfect environment for fat gain and stalled results.
Chronic stress tells your body to store fat, especially around the midsection. If you're training hard, but your stomach isn't budging, cortisol might be the reason.
Stress pushes your body towards fast energy: sugar, carbs and any junk food. This leads to overeating, insulin spikes, and the cycle that keeps fat locked in place.
High cortisol slows down how many calories you burn at rest - meaning you can be doing everything right and still feel stuck.
When stress wrecks your sleep:
How To Lower Stress & Start Losing Weight Again
Here are ways I manage stress myself and teach my clients to do the same:
Movement is medicine. A walk, stretching, a home workout, - anything that gets your body out of stress mode and into action.
This is what I do best and how I get my clients back in the groove. Strength training boosts confidence, reduces anxiety, and builds muscle - the foundation of fat loss.
Under-eating is stress.
Skipping meals is stress.
Your body can't burn fat when you're depriving it.
Focus on:
If you want your body to change, you need to recover like it matters. Simple habits help:
Even 3-5 minutes daily of breathwork, journaling, reading or quiet time can shift your body out of a stressful fight-or-flight and back into fat-loss mode.
Take Control Of Stress & Your Results
You can't out-train a stressed body. But you can break the cycle and rebuild your momentum.
At Detroit Strong - I help clients train harder and smarter. If want to work with a coach that helps with fat loss, building lean muscle and stress management I have your back.
Schedule your Body Composition Assessment for in-person training or download the Detroit Strong App for online coaching.
