Today's economy has most of us in a state of flux. The price of everything going up and less coming in is sure to make even the happiest people a little uneasy. Ongoing stress can wreck the best laid plans when it comes to losing and maintaining weight loss. Our bodies produce cortisol which is a hormone that basically likes to hold onto fat, especially around the middle. With no windfall in the near future how can we get healthy, lose weight and deal with the current economy?

First, realize what you can control and what is basically out of your control. If expenses are high and funds are low, eliminating lattes and lunches out will help get you back on track. While this might not solve all your financial woes, being able to take control of one little piece will help to put you back in the driver's seat. Once you feel like you can regain some control, then stress becomes less.

Exercises such as Yoga and Pilates help you breathe and calm down. Learning how to use your breath in stressful times will not only help you deal with stress but will help to keep your blood pressure from boiling over. Remember stress is not a bad thing. In fact, it is good at times to get the adrenaline up and meet a task head on. But ongoing chronic stress of worry will inflame the body and compromise the immune system. Instead of allowing your body to break down, build it up with healthy nutrition.

Studies have shown eating the proper nutrients which come from fruits and vegetables and lean protein will help our bodies deal with the stressors of life. Sometimes we reach for comfort foods when we are stressed and it only adds to our inflamed condition. Instead, be conscious of what you eat and drink. Staying hydrated as well as eating a balanced diet will not only make you feel better, but will also calm the body.

Stress is a part of all of our lives. It can eat away at us if we allow it to. Count to 10 as you breathe in and fill your lungs and count to 10 as you exhale. Do this 5 times when stress is getting to you. Constantly taking deep breaths during stressful times has been proven to lower cortisol levels. You don't need to pay for a class to breathe, it's free! Breathe with me and lower your stress today.

For more information about health and fitness, please contact: Kay Colgan, Middleburg Pilates and Personal Training, 14 S. Madison Street, Middleburg, Va. Or call 540-687-6995.