How does this happen?

[Deathcabforcutie]

I lose weight quickly when I am stressed no matter how much I eat. Last summer I lost about seven pounds but I was 94 in the beginning and went down to 87lbs. Now I am dropping weight again and my clothes are all getting loose but I am eating properly. What could cause this? How does my stress affect my nutritional health?

[crystallinegreen]

It could be worth getting your thyroid function tested just in case. The brain and gut have a sensitive relationship and emotional stress can disrupt food digestion, so make a mental note of any digestive problems you might experience during times of stress. Irritable bowel syndrome, for example, can be triggered during times of stress and may result in weight loss. The most likely explanation is also the most obvious; stress is impacting upon your appetite and may result in you forgetting to eat or missing snacks you might usually take between meals. Try keeping a food diary for a few weeks to help gain insight into your eating patterns; also make a note of how much exercise you are doing as your body will require extra calories to maintain your weight at these times. If you wish to gain weight try eating more carbohydrate based foods into your diet such as pasta and rice, and increase dietary fats by snacking on things such as nuts.

[Hidden_P]

I say go to the doctors.

It could be as BA said your metabolism increases.

It could be your hormones balance changing because of stress.

It could be your thyroid.

It could even be your age - the same way a lot of people's metabolisms slow down when they get to mid twenties, some's speed up.

Just get checked over at the doctors, at least then if it's a medical issue you're aware and can possibly control it.

Good luck.

[RasmusAiken]

Stress raises the body's "basal metabolic rate". Think of the BMR as the baseline minimal energy needed for maintaining all body functions. You heart beats faster, you're anxious and agitated, your brain in on constant alert. All these sap extra energy. Your calorie needs are increased during times of stress.

Digestion can also be affected by stress. Food transit times (think more frequent and looser stools) can increase causing diminished absorption of the nutrients you eat. You have to eat more food more frequently to get the same calories and nutrition.

Stress decreases your body's hunger signals. You'll be in need of calories but your body won't be signaling "feed me." You have to eat even if you might not feel hungry.

You need to be intentional about taking very good care of yourself right now.

[Gawesome]

I don't think you wanna lose any more weight to say the least...

I'm kinda in the same boat as you. When I get super stressed at work, I don't eat as much as I should. We're the types that can lose some weight when we feel stressed out for long periods of time. And then there's the type who overeat when stressed and gain weight fast during those long periods of stress.

Stress can affect your body physically in many ways. Essentially your body is almost in a state of chaos. Some get sick easier, easily irritable, moody, lack of sleep, oversleep, over-eat, under-eat, stomach pains, digestion problems, high blood pressure..the list goes on.

Best advice...try doing things that de-stresses you so you won't lose any more weight.

[Confucius16]

I have no idea, but do you think you could work on lowering your stress level? If you get stressed too much, that can weaken your immune system.

You already are meditating, so I don't know what else you could try. Maybe meditate for longer periods of time?

[martyfellow]

I don't know what you mean by 'properly.' If you're too stressed to eat ENOUGH, then you need counseling asap to get your mind to stop undermining you own health!

[palek]

You could have a tape worm. Try eating nothing but burnt toast, and he'll probably get mad and split.

[Deathcabforcutie]

I did nd now I'm back to normal thx

[palek]

No charge. Glad to be of service. ; - )

[scnbabe89]

I say you are lucky. Ide give anything to be 87lbs.

[Deathcabforcutie]

I woyldnt. Shaking and puking all the time isn't very fun. And being 87 lbs looks gross

[scnbabe89]

I would go to the doctors and see if there is something wrong. You have to see it from a fat persons poin of view that they would do anything to be thin. Which I am changing myself but its still a challange.

[Deathcabforcutie]

Hun you're probably ably not even fat but the media will tell you you are. And if you are, lose weight but remember to enjoy the ride man!

[scnbabe89]

I still would want to be 87lbs.

[Deathcabforcutie]

Let be tell you from experience, no, no you really wouldn't

[scnbabe89]

Explain it to me?

[Deathcabforcutie]

Because I an a small person it didn't look too gross but on an average sized girl your bones with show through your skin, you will be tired all the time, food makes you sick, and you just straight up feel crappy.

[scnbabe89]

How tall are you I am only 4'9

[Deathcabforcutie]

4'11"

[scnbabe89]

My doctor told me I should only weigh 88 lbs.

[SuckingurLollipop]

I say go to a doctor, because this was happening to a friend of mine and it turned out that she was having hormone problems!

[asianhunk]

i don't know miss. try to eat more and beat stress.

[Anonymous]

You should go to the doctor anytime you are unintentionally losing weight.

[PhilaPenn]

some A.D.'s make you lose weight.