As CBD becomes more of a household term and the general population grows more familiar with its various wellness properties and benefits, we want to take some time to explore some unique and interesting use cases. While some common usages of CBD is to help mitigate symptoms, there are a whole host of other benefits that can help with weight management and even weight loss.

As we head deep into the summer months, many of you may be thinking about that summer body. Or perhaps, you’re thinking about doing something about the quarantine figure we’ve developed over the last few months whilst staying-at-home. So today, we are going to talk about how CBD can help put you back on track with your health goals.

WHAT ARE THE VARIABLES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO WEIGHT GAIN?

When it comes to weight loss, the foundation of hitting your goals in a healthy manner is based upon good habits and good routines. There is no magical remedy that will miraculously help you shed those extra pounds. As with any good diet, the key to healthy weight management is consistency. Before we dive into how CBD can help, let’s examine all of the different things that can contribute to weight gain. There is no better way to start your journey than knowing how you got there.

HOW MUCH ARE YOU EATING?

Portions, portions, portions. When we talk about the quantity of food that you are consuming on a daily basis, we don’t mean calorie count every single meal and obsess over the exact amount of carbs. But, portion control or lack thereof can be a huge contributor to weight gain. In the United States, Americans are notorious for having large meal portions compared to other countries. We see this prominently in the serving sizes at restaurants and the popularity of buffets. 

Overeating is one of those things that is easy to do, especially if you are having an especially delicious meal. A good rule of thumb for keeping this under control is to eat until you feel about 80 percent full. It takes anywhere from 15-20 minutes to digest so chances are, you are already full and just don’t know it yet. 

WHEN ARE YOU EATING?

Are you snacking constantly? Do you eat when you are bored? Or perhaps at all hours of the night? This is another variable that can contribute to weight gain. Eating erratically will naturally increase the amount of food that you consume on a daily basis. That’s not to say you shouldn’t snack, however. If done correctly, eating with higher frequency can actually help increase your metabolism overall.

Going hand in hand with the portion control, having smaller mini-meals or timed snack breaks throughout the day can help curb the need to constantly munch. The key is consistency and quantity. To condition yourself, have dedicated times throughout the day where you are allowed a small snack. Do this at the same time each day, and even multiple times a day, to reduce the hunger between meals and to reduce incessant snacking.

WHAT ARE YOU EATING?

What does your food actually consist of? This sounds straightforward, but it needs to be said! It doesn’t matter if you have portions and snacking under control if the food that you are consuming is unhealthy junk. What do your meals look like? Are you ordering greasy take-out and eating fried foods all the time? Does your go-to dinner involve a lot of oil and fats?

The food that we eat plays a very large role in our weight and overall health. Having a balanced diet that consists of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and so forth is crucial to maintaining our physiques. Heavy, saturated foods can bloat us and cause low energy or create a feeling of sluggishness throughout the day. As you eat healthier, you will find that there is more energy, higher mental stamina, and a general sense of “feel good” in your body.

ARE YOU EXERCISING OR STAYING ACTIVE?

We get it. This one is difficult. And it can feel as if you either “got it” or you don’t. That said, you truly don’t have to be a fitness junkie to maintaining good exercise habits! Staying active is another important and heavy impact variable to weight management. After all, it isn’t called “staying in shape” for no reason.

Working out can feel intimidating. However, staying active doesn’t need to feel that way. Incorporate some level of exercise throughout your day to day by going on walks, getting up to stretch, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. For most of us, especially while we are home all day due to the current circumstances, we may find ourselves sitting for extended periods of time without any breaks. Over time, this can compound and the next thing you know, you haven’t walked further than the kitchen fridge in over a week.

HOW ARE YOUR STRESS LEVELS?

While this is a smaller factor, we think it’s important to highlight that stress levels can also play a part in weight management. This is something that is frequently overlooked when looking at overall health and wellness. High levels of stress have a number of adverse side effects, one of which can be weight gain.

Not only can stress create and enable bad habits such as overeating or eating inconsistently, it can increase levels of cortisol in your body. Even if you have everything under control with regards to portions, cooking healthy, and eating consistently, your body’s natural response to higher levels of cortisol could be packing on a few pounds. Keeping that in mind, managing your stress is a good habit to develop in general for overall health and wellness.

HOW CAN CBD BE USED FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

In general, we view CBD as a resource and a tool to enhance or assist as opposed to being the solution itself. As we discussed in the start of the article, there is no good substitute for good habits and good routines. CBD will not replace any of those things. What CBD can do is address the symptoms or factors that get in the way of developing those good habits. Now that we’ve looked at all the areas that can contribute to weight gain, let’s break down how CBD can address each of those areas.

FOOD & DIET

So we’ve established that what we eat, when and the frequency with which we eat, and how much we are eating can all lead to weight gain. A misconception about CBD is that it stimulates more munchies. This is something that is true of THC and the confusion comes from individuals who smoke weed and find themselves with an increased appetite. CBD on the other hand actually curbs the appetite a bit and can reduce overeating or unnecessary snacking.

EXERCISE & FITNESS

It goes without saying that working out and staying active is a big part of losing weight. In this case, we think of CBD as a supplement that can help you get over the hump that makes you want to drag your feet. A couple of common inhibitors for developing good fitness routines are performance anxiety and simply getting started. CBD can help ease your mind and generate a sense of calm, which might be the small difference needed in order to get going.

STRESS & ANXIETY

THE BOTTOM LINE

With all that is going on, gyms being closed, social distancing orders in place, it can be particularly difficult to stay on top of our diet and fitness. Losing weight stems from good habits and good routines in the realm of food, exercise, and stress. While CBD cannot directly create weight loss, it can enhance your current lifestyle and is definitely something to consider when looking to shed a few extra pounds for the summer.