Confession time: I’ve always been one to keep my personal battles private, especially those related to stress, and especially my weight.
The physical signs were there too—my face, my posture, the lack of sleep—it was like stress had taken over my body, and everyone could see the toll it was taking.
I just pretended not to care.
But this shadow had been trailing me for as long as I can remember, dictating my happiness and self-esteem…
Yet, here I am. This was something I HAD to share.
If my story can help even one person out there… It’s worth it to me.
Sometimes, life just doesn’t go as planned.
I always thought I had my weight kinda under control, even with constant stress at work.
I joked about how stress and I were best friends at this point.
But then, after I changed jobs, it was like stress began controlling my life.
Out of nowhere, I started to feel burned out. My weight started to creep up.
It was slow at first, then all at once, it felt like I woke up heavier.
Despite eating less and trying my best to keep an exercise routine, I inexplicably gained 57 pounds over two years.
The weight just stuck to me, especially around my belly and arms.
My friends tried all sorts of diets and relaxation techniques and it worked for them. But I felt like I was stuck.
But what freaked me out the most…
Was that I didn’t even realize what was the problem.
People say, ‘That’s just what happens when you get older.’
I get it. Our bodies change and losing weight gets harder.
But how fast I was gaining weight… That just didn’t make sense to me.
I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. So, I started trying all kinds of things.
Low-carb, fasting, gluten-free… you name it. I tried doing more exercise, but feeling perpetually tired didn’t help in that regard…
And the scale hardly budged. The fatigue wouldn’t lift.
I’d joke, ‘If this was 20 years ago, I’d be back in shape and full of energy by now!’
I didn’t give up, though. I tried natural stuff too, like herbs and even acupuncture, hoping something would kick my body back into gear and shake off the stress.
I had days when I felt a bit more pep in my step, but the burnout was real, and losing weight still felt impossible.
It really hit me one day while having lunch with my coworkers.
A coworker jokingly commented on my lunch—something about how I was “really going for the carbs today, huh?”
Normally, I would have laughed it off or joined in with a witty response. But not that day.
I snapped, screaming.
The hurt look on my coworker’s face was something I would never forget.
As I sat back down, my heart pounding as I tried to form an apology, it dawned on me that this wasn’t really about the comment or the carbs.
I felt trapped in someone else’s body, embarrassed to even look in the mirror.
Buying clothes a size up, struggling with simple things at work… it became my new normal, and it was anything but okay.
There was this moment when I thought, “This can’t be it.”
I didn’t want to keep going down this path, watching the numbers on the scale go up and feeling powerless.
I don’t want to down this path.
My mind was clear: just accepting this wasn’t an option for me.
I went to meet a friend over coffee one day.
She’s older than me, yet somehow defied the age-related weight gain that seemed inevitable for the rest of us.
She wasn’t a gym fanatic or a strict dieter, but she radiated health. Always in a good mood.
She said, “It’s got nothing to do with insane diets or living at the gym. It’s about understanding your body’s response to stress.”
She then explained how cortisol, the “stress hormone”, affects everything. From our mood to where we store fat, and how fat we can get.
That hit me hard. My “relaxation” methods weren’t so relaxing after all. They were just masking stress without addressing it, piling on more anxiety without my realizing it.
“Managing my cortisol levels changed everything for me,” she explained, “And I only noticed it when I started a cortisol detox challenge.”
She then helped me take a hard look at my life—my diet, my sleep, my work, and how I handled stress.
It shocked me… My lifestyle, even my so-called “good” choices, were not helping my cortisol levels.
Inspired, I decided to manage my cortisol levels, too. Not by taking hormones or following a strict diet, but by integrating simple, natural ways to manage stress.
I definitely needed help finding balance.
So then I started the challenge she recommended…
Once I started this detox challenge, things began to shift.
But I’ll admit it. At first, I was a little bit concerned.
The meals looked good, but I worried about eating too much.
Three meals and two snacks a day? That sounded like a lot.
Don’t I need to eat LESS to lose weight?
But this challenge was different. It wasn’t just about cutting out foods or silly meditations that don’t really work. It balanced everything else, too.
The meal prep was surprisingly easy and quick too. Most meals took just 15 to 20 minutes to prepare.
Plus, every step was designed to be stress-free, helping me unwind as I cooked.
As days turned into weeks and the challenge came to an end, I noticed something amazing. This was working.
It wasn’t just about eating less or taking meds. It was about eating right and managing stress effectively. Foods that filled me up and ways to keep the stress away.
When the challenge was over, only 21 days later, I had lost over 36 lbs.
That’s because I am eating foods that actually work for my body, not against it…
✅ I started losing weight. Finally.
Currently, I’m over 50 lbs down.
I can’t explain how great that feels.
My clothes fit me again, and I don’t feel guilty eating carbs anymore…
And while I still have a few more pounds to lose, I’m looking a lot more toned.
With my newfound energy, I added simple home exercises to my routine, enhancing my results (which is a nice bonus, but not necessary.)
But more than the numbers, it’s the tone in my arms and belly and strength I’ve gained that excite me.
✅ My energy levels went up.
I am not dragging myself through the day anymore.
It helps that I’m not putting that much weight on my knees anymore.
But I used to blame my tiredness on everything but my stress and anxiety.
Proper nutrition – and managing stress – is key to feeling energetic and vibrant.
And managing cortisol levels, of course.
✅ I am not burned out at work anymore
The cortisol detox drastically reduced my stress and anxiety. It’s like I’ve broken free from a cycle of constant pressure and fatigue I never thought I’d escape.
I’ll admit that going through it, I thought I would have to suffer and completely overhaul my lifestyle, but it was a steady journey, introducing small habits that I could maintain in the long run.
Now, I find joy in activities and foods I’d previously ignored – methods that soothe and energize me without the crippling anxiety behind it.
This isn’t just about managing cortisol; it’s about loving how I live. Every day feels like a choice for my well-being.
✅ I’ve never felt more confident.
There’s been a noticeable shift in my mood and overall mental health. I’m more myself than I’ve been in years!
I’m not as tired anymore and low spirits have lifted, replaced by a steady stream of positivity and energy.
This journey has done wonders for my self-esteem. Losing the weight is one thing, but gaining confidence? That’s priceless.
Initially, I filled out a quiz to start the cortisol detox challenge.
This quiz was the key to unlocking a plan crafted just for me, removing all the guesswork from my diet and focusing on my cortisol levels.
After that, I finished the cortisol detox and decided to keep my personalized diet plan, as my weight loss goals were greater than 40 lbs.
And here’s what I’ve learned: my journey is mine alone. We all have different battles with body issues, weight, health, and, in my case, stress.
That’s why finding a path that’s uniquely yours is so vital.
I just hope that you allow yourself this chance… You deserve the transformation that comes with this cortisol detox challenge.
It’s risk-free — a simple cortisol detox. I’m telling all my friends about it… Give it a try!
Thank you for your comment
Thank to for the help.
I have been super stressed and burned out for the past 4 years. I am overweight by 60 pounds. I just retired and want to get my health back and my weight off. I hope this works.
I have been under a lot of stress for over 12 months now, losing my Beautiful Mother & my Precious Auntie… Have just been told I have Kidney Stones so I’ve had a Stent put in & now am waiting for the next Procedure to Blast it… I also have have MS so I live with constant pain…Also need a knee replacement so that doesn’t help with having an Exercise Plan…