Can stress actually cause weight gain?

So, okay... I’ve been trying to lose weight for literal years, right? But honestly, no matter what I try, nothing works. It’s actually getting worse—like, the scale just keeps creeping up. I’m avoiding all the junk, I’m really putting in the effort, I swear, but it’s just not happening. The pounds are just piling on.
I heard this thing from someone once—they said there’s actual medical proof that if you’re mentally convinced that you’re gonna gain weight while you're eating, then you actually *will* gain weight. Like, your body just absorbs every single bite because of it. And gosh, I am so obsessed with this idea that I look a certain way that even a glass of water feels like it's making me gain weight, which is just... it's totally killing me mentally!
Is it actually possible that it’s all just in my head? I mean, seriously, there are people out there who eat like crazy, at all hours, zero self-control, and they stay super thin. They aren't constantly stressing about every calorie or how much they'll weigh, they just enjoy their food (which, I guess, is easy when you have a perfect body). So, I guess I'm just wondering... does anyone know if there's any truth to this whole psychological thing?

Look, sometimes the mind can be a real beast when it decides to lock in on something, and honestly, that sounds like what you’re dealing with right now. If you're already staying on top of things with prevention, you shouldn't be seeing any major fallout, but if these symptoms are actually starting to show up, you really need to step it up—like, go see a doctor or a specialist at the Mayo Clinic or something.

If you just need to take the edge off and chill out—try this: take a deep, slow breath, really feel your body settling, then let out a long, slow exhale and just let everything go.

Give your kidneys a quick checkup. You can't just go around being reckless and assuming you're right about everything. I'll grant you that mindset plays a role, but it isn't quite that significant.

copperharbor10 said:So, okay... I’ve been trying to lose weight for literal years, right? But honestly, no matter what I try, nothing works. It’s actually getting worse—like, the scale just keeps creeping up. I’m avoiding all the junk, I’m really putting in the effort, I swear, but it’s just not happening. The pounds are just piling on.
I heard this thing from someone once—they said there’s actual medical proof that if you’re mentally convinced that you’re gonna gain weight while you're eating, then you actually *will* gain weight. Like, your body just absorbs every single bite because of it. And gosh, I am so obsessed with this idea that I look a certain way that even a glass of water feels like it's making me gain weight, which is just... it's totally killing me mentally!
Is it actually possible that it’s all just in my head? I mean, seriously, there are people out there who eat like crazy, at all hours, zero self-control, and they stay super thin. They aren't constantly stressing about every calorie or how much they'll weigh, they just enjoy their food (which, I guess, is easy when you have a perfect body). So, I guess I'm just wondering... does anyone know if there's any truth to this whole psychological thing?

Oh, please.😁😁

Psychology doesn't directly dictate your scale weight. You aren't going to balloon up just because you have "fat thoughts"—though, obviously, having the right mindset and staying disciplined when things get rough is crucial for losing weight.

The only actual formula for weight loss is burning more calories than you consume. Every extreme diet out there is just a different way of trying to pull that off with maximum results or minimum misery.

Look, some people are stuck with a metabolism that makes it an uphill battle, but nothing is impossible.

copperharbor10 said:So, okay... I’ve been trying to lose weight for literal years, right? But honestly, no matter what I try, nothing works. It’s actually getting worse—like, the scale just keeps creeping up. I’m avoiding all the junk, I’m really putting in the effort, I swear, but it’s just not happening. The pounds are just piling on.
I heard this thing from someone once—they said there’s actual medical proof that if you’re mentally convinced that you’re gonna gain weight while you're eating, then you actually *will* gain weight. Like, your body just absorbs every single bite because of it. And gosh, I am so obsessed with this idea that I look a certain way that even a glass of water feels like it's making me gain weight, which is just... it's totally killing me mentally!
Is it actually possible that it’s all just in my head? I mean, seriously, there are people out there who eat like crazy, at all hours, zero self-control, and they stay super thin. They aren't constantly stressing about every calorie or how much they'll weigh, they just enjoy their food (which, I guess, is easy when you have a perfect body). So, I guess I'm just wondering... does anyone know if there's any truth to this whole psychological thing?

If weight gain was purely a mental game, I’d be sitting at a rock-solid 120 pounds... because I spend my entire day thinking, "Oh, this won't make me gain weight..." and "Maybe this one is fine..." over and over again.
.... but unfortunately.... or maybe luckily....
...it mostly boils down to what you eat and how much you eat.... versus how much energy you actually burn....
...it's either too many calories coming in.... or not enough movement going out....

.....It’s all about the balance..... kind of like accounting.... I’m always turning a profit..... but I’m not exactly thrilled about carrying that extra profit around with me day and night.....

I was just thinking... if everyone were forced to carry their entire net worth on their back 24/7.... we'd get rid of all that excess wealth and surplus.... and we'd all just live in some sort of perfect, equalized utopia.... 🙂

Look, I’ll tell you what—if you're taking those anti-shot pills and living down here in the Southern Hemisphere, it totally kicks your digestive system into overdrive. It's like those meds come with a built-in appetite boost just to get you eating more. Honestly, I'm hungry all the time because of them and have definitely packed on some extra pounds... I seriously need to hit up the local Gold's Gym... for sure. Anyway, see if any of that rings true for you! Catch ya later!

Psychology has zero impact on weight gain. If you can't lose the pounds, it’s because your diet is garbage...

Well, you actually gave me a good laugh, Serena Williams. You reminded me of a dear friend of mine.
😍

So, you’re saying you’ve spent years trying to lose weight without success, and now you’ve turned into a fatalist. You’re hunting for some "higher power" to blame for your misfortune—some kind of curse. You claim your mind is what makes you gain weight. 🤣

Look, of course your mindset plays a role; if some internal "demon" is driving you to overeat, then yes, psychology matters. But it isn't *just* psychological. It's primarily about the actual food you put in your mouth, specifically those unburned CALORIES.

It is physically impossible to gain weight purely from a mental state if your diet is balanced and you stay active. If you take in a surplus, it accumulates. If you don't, it gets used up. It really is as simple as that.
Think of it like a bank account. If you deposit more cash every day than you spend, you end up with a surplus. If you spend more than you bring in, or at least break even, there is no surplus.
That’s how it works, right? Exactly. 🤷

The bottom line is this: work on your self-control. Stop consuming more than necessary, eat nutritious meals, skip the junk food, keep moving, and above all, stop obsessing over some "genetic curse." Believing in that will only leave you feeling helpless and desperate.

You are the master of your own body and your own weight. Now, go run two laps around the park and have a salad for dinner. 🙂

I’m with slypuma17 on this, but there’s also a psychological component to weight gain—it’s essentially a defense mechanism. Check out the "emotional eater" thread if you want a deep dive. Even if your calorie intake isn't high, your body might just be hoarding reserves as a way to protect itself. If anyone actually knows the science behind this, please weigh in—I don't want to pretend I'm an expert in territory I haven't mastered.

A buddy of mine put it perfectly yesterday—any diet you can't sustain for the rest of your life is a bad one. So, find a rhythm you can actually live with. Maybe stop eating three hours before bed (some people swear by nothing after 6 PM). Or just track your calories—you don't need to be perfect, but finding a standard calorie tracker online and being mindful goes a long way.

I’ve always felt like emotional weight gain only happens when you’re using food as a crutch. If you're dealing with heavy stress or slipping into depression, you end up eating just to chase that temporary hit of comfort.

I honestly can't wrap my head around how the mind alone could actually mess with your metabolism. 🤷

Sure, I’ll admit it—I’m definitely a bit on the heavier side at heart. ☕

Thomas Howard93 said:Sure, I’ll admit it—I’m definitely a bit on the heavier side at heart. ☕

Well, tell her soul she needs to cut back on the snacks.🤣

Thomas Howard93 said:Sure, I’ll admit it—I’m definitely a bit on the heavier side at heart. ☕

Me? I’m an anorexic at heart. I catch one glimpse of a red carpet and my stomach turns. It’s honestly exhausting.😁

Are you actually going to tell me you have bulimia?

I’m telling you, it’s definitely a thyroid issue, but hey, feel free to keep playing pretend if you want to stay in your little bubble.

Nicole Allen10 said:I’m telling you, it’s definitely a thyroid issue, but hey, feel free to keep playing pretend if you want to stay in your little bubble.

wtf

Dennis Lewis6 said:wtf

Look, I've gone through every single one of these posts from top to bottom.

Nicole Allen10 said:I’m telling you, it’s definitely a thyroid issue, but hey, feel free to keep playing pretend if you want to stay in your little bubble.

Oh, please... really now... what exactly gives her such unwavering certainty regarding the thyroid? Is it possible her thyroid is functioning perfectly, yet her cortisol levels are simply crashing? Or perhaps it isn't either of those things at all? Why should she be so sure? Honestly! Does she personally suffer from thyroid dysfunction, or does she simply believe herself to be an expert on nothing else, jumping to conclusions the moment a symptom appears? If we are going to discuss hormones, one really ought to look far beyond just the thyroid alone.

coppergardener said:Oh, please... really now... what exactly gives her such unwavering certainty regarding the thyroid? Is it possible her thyroid is functioning perfectly, yet her cortisol levels are simply crashing? Or perhaps it isn't either of those things at all? Why should she be so sure? Honestly! Does she personally suffer from thyroid dysfunction, or does she simply believe herself to be an expert on nothing else, jumping to conclusions the moment a symptom appears? If we are going to discuss hormones, one really ought to look far beyond just the thyroid alone.

When the thyroid slows down, you gain weight. Wow, what a medical genius we have here!

Nicole Allen10 said:When the thyroid slows down, you gain weight. Wow, what a medical genius we have here!

I’ve heard you lose hair too,🤷

but honestly, you'll pack on the pounds if you just eat everything in sight without any self-control.☕