Many people commit to strict diets, eliminate oily foods, and avoid indulgent meals, yet the weighing scale refuses to budge. Addressing this frustrating paradox, Dr Shraddhey Katiyar took to X to shed light on an often-overlooked culprit. According to Dr Katiyar, unexplained fat gain despite reduced food intake is rarely about weak discipline. Instead, it is usually a sign that the body’s metabolic engine has slowed down.Everyday Habits That Quietly Slow Metabolism
Dr Shraddhey Katiyar explained that several daily patterns quietly work against weight loss. Most individuals move far less than they assume, especially with desk-bound routines. At the same time, chronic stress keeps stress-related hormones elevated. Late-night meals paired with insufficient sleep further strain the body. Over time, muscle tissue starts breaking down while fat stores remain stubbornly intact.
Dr Katiyar pointed out that muscle mass plays a critical role in calorie burning. When muscle reduces, the body consumes fewer calories even during rest. Persistent stress signals the body to preserve fat as a survival response. Poor sleep disrupts appetite-regulating hormones, intensifying hunger and cravings. In his view, the body is not damaged but simply undertrained and poorly supported.
Resetting the Body’s Fat-Burning System
To revive a sluggish metabolism, Dr Shraddhey Katiyar emphasized four foundational steps. Building muscle through strength training helps raise resting calorie expenditure. Prioritizing deep, consistent sleep restores hormonal balance. Actively managing stress reduces fat-storing signals. Finally, eating meals at regular, appropriate times supports better metabolic rhythm.
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How Stress Directly Contributes to Weight Gain
Supporting this explanation, a Medical News Today report detailed how stress influences weight in multiple ways. Stress interferes with mental control mechanisms such as self-regulation, making healthy choices harder to maintain. It alters hunger-related hormones like leptin and ghrelin, increasing appetite. Stress also encourages overeating calorie-dense, sugary, and fatty foods. Sleep disturbances caused by stress further worsen weight gain, while low energy levels reduce physical activity.Cortisol, Insulin, and the Fat Storage Cycle
When the body perceives stress, it releases hormones that activate the fight-or-flight response. Blood flow shifts away from digestion toward muscles and vital organs, slowing digestive function. Cortisol, a key stress hormone, temporarily raises blood sugar levels to provide quick energy.
However, as highlighted in a 2022 review cited by Medical News Today, chronic stress prevents recovery. Persistently high cortisol leads to elevated blood glucose and insulin levels. Over time, this can cause insulin resistance, where cells fail to respond properly to insulin. A major outcome of this process is increased abdominal fat and overall weight gain. Additionally, high cortisol disrupts hormones like corticotropin-releasing hormone, which regulates appetite, leading to overeating and stronger cravings for sugary and fatty foods.The Bigger Picture
Together, insights from Dr Shraddhey Katiyar and Medical News Today underline a crucial truth: sustainable weight loss depends not just on eating less, but on training the metabolism, calming stress, protecting sleep, and preserving muscle.
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