Is excessive stress making you fat

In “Is excessive stress making you fat?”, Ricardo Riskalla, founder of RawFit and head trainer at IMG Models Australia, explains how chronic stress can sabotage fitness goals. Prolonged stress triggers the release of cortisol, the “stress hormone,” which increases fat storage, especially around the midsection, while impairing muscle repair.

Stress isn’t just physical; mental and emotional pressures contribute to elevated cortisol. Riskalla emphasises that we can’t always control external stressors but can manage our response through practices like daily meditation and deep-breathing exercises. Consistently lowering cortisol improves recovery, sleep, and overall wellbeing, making weight management easier.