Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Has anyone lost weight just through stress?

51 replies

Stressedstresser · 04/12/2019 19:44

I popped on scales for first time in few months today and have lost half a stone! Was in healthy weight range and still am so still ‘healthy’.

No change to diet or exercise level, only difference is I having been feeling really stressed (work and home issues) recently. Has anyone else lost weight just through stress?

I’m amazed and also slightly concerned that there could be a hidden cause?

OP posts:
Original poster
Stressedstresser · 04/12/2019 19:59

Bump

OP posts:
Original poster
Stressedstresser · 04/12/2019 20:23

Gosh I thought someone would have some thoughts

OP posts:
Dinosforall · 04/12/2019 20:26

Yes, I lost a about half a stone when I was in a very stressful situation at work. I think the constant adrenaline affected my digestion.

Spacey306 · 04/12/2019 20:29

Yes more than once! I only ever lose weight through times of stress. Through my ex taking me to court. I lost a stone in pregnancy due to my ex. My grandad dying I lost weight too. I think it's totally normal for some people

JulyKit · 04/12/2019 20:30

Yes, I have.
My weight fluctuates quite a lot, dropping to lower end of average healthy BMI when I'm quite busily running around a lot, occasionally to low/slightly underweight when I've been under a lot of stress.
I think that's fairly commonplace.
Underweight, stressed me doesn't look or feel very good at all.

Original poster
Stressedstresser · 04/12/2019 20:30

Interesting- so you essentially think nerves sped up your metabolism?

OP posts:
Baguetteaboutit · 04/12/2019 20:30

Yeah, I was caught in a earthquake and by the time I got home less than three weeks later I had lost a stone. I just worried it off trying to keep the kids safe through the aftershocks and being on general red alert. I had probably been forgetting to eat but I can't be sure because the whole bloody thing is a blur.

SecretWitch · 04/12/2019 20:30

Yes, I lost a stone in about a month when my first marriage was crumbling

userxx · 04/12/2019 20:30

Yep, I lost 3 stone on the heartbreak diet. I looked like I was about to die. Not a good look.

Neolara · 04/12/2019 20:31

Yes. But I put it all back on again later.

Original poster
Stressedstresser · 04/12/2019 20:31

I just wonder what the physical cause is- it feels very strange for it just to happen

OP posts:
SlightlyWizened · 04/12/2019 20:32

Yes during the break up of a long term relationship. I ran on adrenalin for weeks.
Once contentment returned the weight piled on.

hellojim · 04/12/2019 20:35

Yes I think I have lost weight due to stress particularly at times when I was sleeping badly.

fortifiedwithtea · 04/12/2019 20:38

Yes I did. Went to a size 10 not a good look for me as I am quite tall. Cause was my dad being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

Dd2 has lost nearly 3 stone. Piled it on when she was manic but lost it now she is depressed. CAMHS worker said adrenaline is the cause. Her body is constantly flooded with adrenalin and it takes a lot of fuel to maintain that level of stress.

AnneLovesGilbert · 04/12/2019 20:43

I lost 2 stone about 6 months when my first marriage was crumbling and I was trying ti leave. I eat when I’m happy and can’t be arsed much when I’m not.

I recently lost 5lbs in just over a week when my husband was very ill in hospital. Not ideal as I’m breastfeeding and I was eating enough but I could feel the stress gnawing away at me and I lost weight and gained a drawn look on my face. Stress is horrible for your body.

Lou0390 · 04/12/2019 20:43

Yes with really stressful situations, redundancy, relationship breakdown I lose so much weight. I think it's a combination of Adrenalin and forgetting to eat properly.

Normally I struggle to lose weight but I would much prefer to be slightly chubby and happy!

JazzyJelly · 04/12/2019 20:45

Yes, i lost half a stone recently when I discovered my partner had been lying to me for the last 2 years.

shiveringsparklingtimber · 04/12/2019 20:48

If only! I'd be rail-thin by now.

Spied · 04/12/2019 20:50

Yep.
I'm on the PTSD and GAD diet. Unfortunately.
I think the adrenaline and speeded up heart rate burns the fat.

MerryDeath · 04/12/2019 20:57

definitely. i was at my thinnest (for a short period before i discovered my inner lonely binge eater 🤪) after my last breakup.

HowToStopThis9 · 04/12/2019 20:59

I put weight ON because of stress

Sad
Collision · 04/12/2019 21:21

Never in my life have I lost weight due to stress however I’m stressed up to eyeballs at the moment and doing SlimmingWorld.

I have lost 91/2 lbs in a week.

I’m eating but burning it off with stress.

Ds2 keeps reminding me to eat.
I’m so very very sad about it all.

Iggly · 04/12/2019 21:23

Yes - my fitbit told me I was in fat burn mode for a lot of the time because my heart rate was quite high and I was active. I was incredibly stressed.

I’m stressed again but no weight loss as I’m drinking way more. If I cut out the alcohol I suspect I’d be a lot thinner.

Bargebill19 · 04/12/2019 21:32

Yes. But when stressed I don’t eat as much - head down plough one mentality - ergo not eating means more time to get things done.
Benefit :less in/more expenses = weight loss.

MythicalBiologicalFennel · 04/12/2019 21:47

I have lost half a stone in 2 weeks due to stress. But like other posters have said in my case it's through lack of eating. I am either nauseous, or not hungry or if I am hungry I can only manage a few mouthfuls. I don't feel tired or light headed, the adrenaline keeps me going day and night. It's like a poison. It's miserable.

Swipe left for the next trending thread