Can Trauma Lead To Weight Gain?
Yes, trauma can be related to weight gain in some individuals. There is a complex relationship between trauma and weight gain, and several factors may contribute to this connection:
Emotional Eating: People who have experienced trauma, such as physical or emotional abuse, sexual assault, or other traumatic events, may turn to food as a way to cope with their emotional pain or stress. This can lead to overeating or unhealthy eating habits, resulting in weight gain.
Changes in Stress Hormones: Trauma can lead to chronic stress, which in turn can affect the body's hormonal balance. Stress can increase the production of cortisol, a hormone associated with weight gain, particularly around the abdominal area. Elevated cortisol levels can lead to increased appetite and cravings for high-calorie, sugary, or fatty foods.
Disrupted Sleep Patterns: Trauma can also disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or other sleep disorders. Poor sleep is associated with weight gain and obesity because it can disrupt the body's appetite-regulating hormones and increase cravings for unhealthy foods.
Reduced Physical Activity: Trauma can result in reduced motivation or ability to engage in physical activity. This can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, which, in turn, can lead to weight gain.
Psychological Impact: The psychological impact of trauma can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, which may affect one's self-care and eating habits. People may lose interest in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, leading to weight gain.
Medication Use: Some individuals who have experienced trauma may be prescribed medications for mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. Some of these medications can have side effects that lead to weight gain.
It's important to note that the relationship between trauma and weight gain is not the same for everyone. Some individuals may lose weight as a result of trauma, particularly if they experience a loss of appetite or other physiological changes. Others may not experience significant changes in their weight at all.
If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma-related weight gain, it's essential to seek support from mental health professionals who can provide therapy and guidance for coping with trauma and its effects on weight and overall well-being. It's a complex issue that requires a personalized approach to address the specific needs and challenges of the individual.
Infalible Fit aka J-Cee Fitness
Location: Redwood City, California
Their approach:
"Joanne is a holistic fitness and movement coach, a 15-year Air Force medic veteran, and a former audio engineer. Her journey began from a negative place. Living on a yo-yo diet most of her life, she convinced herself that being overweight was just who she was. She battled with low self-esteem, self-love, and respect. In addition, she lived in a destructive state numbing out her problems with drugs and alcohol. Her weight loss transformation began when she hit her personal bottom and was diagnosed with pre-diabetes and high cholesterol.
In 2016, she decided to take action and hired a coach. With the help of her coach, she lost 50 lbs. Not only did she become physically fit, but she also became more present. She became aware of how deeply depressed, unhappy and insecure she had been. Her transformation and deep inner work were the gateways to building a stronger and healthier mindset. It has changed her habits, lifestyle, and sense of self-worth.
Before finding her true purpose in fitness, her original dream was to have a music career and own a record label. Now, her mission is to help others with the same tools she used to transform her life. Joanne’s focus is to improve the quality of her client's lives by improving their physical and mental performance. She believes that we need to change our mindset, attitude, and habits alongside our bodies to make lasting changes.
Outside of training, Joanne is a competitive elite flyweight boxer. She travels to eat, loves reading, music, and binging shows!"
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