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February 27, 2006
Qigong, Stress, Cortisol and Excess Body Fat
Qigong is one of the very best ways to counteract stress. But did you realize that by reducing stress, qigong may also contribute to fat loss?
I recently read a good explanation of this in Ed Baran's excellent newsletter (go to www.combatconditioning.com to sign up for his free tips.)
Here is a paraphrase of what Ed pointed out:
“Cortisol is one of the body's stress hormones. When we get stressed, cortisol levels increase. Prolonged overproduction of cortisol brought on by excessive stress can cause many problems: some brain dysfunction, aging of the skin, impaired immunity, recovery and healing, excess fluid retention, depression, and poor sleep. All of these things accelerate the aging process.
Cortisol also increases your appetite, prompting you to eat large quantities of food, usually sweets and simple carbohydrates. And we all know these make you fat. These foods also make insulin levels rise then fall which gives you that hungry feeling like you haven't even eaten.
So here's the loop: stress increases cortisol; cortisol increases appetite
(of usually bad foods like simple carbs); insatiable eating of bad foods makes you fat.
And here's the real kicker: Not only does cortisol make you fat (indirectly), the fat that you gain is usually abdominal fat. So it isn't bad enough to get fat all over, now it's been concentrated in your gut.”
Well put Ed!
The solution is obvious: control your stress levels to lower your production of excess cortisol.
I have discussed in many of these blogs and in other articles just how well qigong does in helping manage our stress response.
Our culture encourages us to be addicted to stress. Break that stress-addiction by taking up a daily program of qigong. I recommend doing two sessions a day. One session in the morning and one session in the early evening.
After a month or two, life should start feeling a whole lot more pleasant. And who knows, some flab might also start disappearing!
Speaking for myself: I am now 56 years old but have a body fat of around five percent. My diet and other exercise certainly are factors but I have always credited my qigong as another secret for my slim look.
See all of John Du Cane’s qigong resources.
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