Does This Recession Make My Butt Look Fat?

Not that we didn't have plenty of obesity in this country when the economy was doing better...it is well-known that when the economy goes downhill, our collective weight rises.

Why is that and what can we do about it?

There are two big factors at play that cause recession weight gain.

1. Stress (fear, anxiety...) When we are concerned about losing our jobs, our money, our homes, one thing we can do that is relatively inexpensive is eat.

Our feeling like we do not have control over what is going on around us leads us to take control in other areas...and for many people that means to eat.

Food is a major way in which we were comforted as kids...everyone has a favortie comfort food...mine happens to be ice cream...it is a knee-jerk reaction to reach for the cream when I feel stressed (or sad or a myriad of other emotions.)

2. Costs. Simple carbohydrates are filling and cheap. So we eat lots of breads, pastas, sugary baked goods and potatoes. While these foods are not off our food plan forever, they are higher in sugars and they will actually make you want to eat more of them and other carbohydrates. So in the end (bad pun, I know) it doesn't really save money...especially not if you consider having to buy larger clothes or the affect on your health.

I remember the dreaded "Freshman 15" when I went to college. Especially amongst the girls, it seemed like an epidemic...freshman year everyone seemed to gain at least 15 pounds.

This was for a lot of the same reasons.

When we are uncomfortable in a situation we will eat for emotional reasons rather than what our body needs for health.

So what can we do to insure we don't add pounds during these times? Tomorrow I will share some stress busters that I use on a regular basis!