By Dr. Mary James, ND
Don’t worry, I am not here to scold you for eating too many chips or cookies for comfort because, honestly, this isn’t the worst way that stress causes weight gain. Real adrenal stress weight gain comes from actual physiological changes that happen when your body is under chronic stress. Adrenal stress alters your hormones, setting your body up to pack on extra pounds. 

A telltale sign of weight gain caused by adrenal stress is midsection weight gain. Stress-related belly fat is so difficult to lose once it appears because adrenal stress continuously “feeds” this fat, keeping it locked in place.
But here’s the good news — once you understand what’s going on in your body during long periods of stress, you will have ways to correct underlying imbalances so your body can finally let go of stubborn weight gain.
Let’s find out how this works.

“Crepey skin is primarily an aesthetic concern but it can also be indicative of potential health issues,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shoshana Marmon told HuffPost. “Since it usually develops as a result of substantial sun damage, individuals with crepey skin may be at increased risk for the development of skin cancer. Additionally, since crepey skin is thinner and less elastic, it may be more susceptible to bruising and tearing, which could lead to infection if not properly cared for.” 

Plenty of creams and lotions claim to alleviate the appearance of crepey skin, and anyone who wants to take care of it quickly can seek doctor-administered treatments. We spoke with experts who weighed in on what works best and whether there’s anything you can do to prevent crepey skin from forming in the first place.

Why and when crepey skin forms
As Marmon hinted, crepey skin primarily results from sun exposure. “A frequent misunderstanding is that crepey skin develops solely from aging, but lifestyle factors like sun exposure and smoking are significant contributors,” she said. “While everyone is susceptible to crepey skin, people with lighter skin tones, who are more prone to sun damage, are particularly at risk.” 
Sun exposure causes the skin to lose volume due to dehydration. “It doesn’t store water the same because the integrity of the skin is damaged,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shani Francis told HuffPost. That leads to degradation of collagen and elastin, the proteins that hold water and therefore help the skin keep its structure. 
Any ultraviolet exposure, even from tanning beds, can lead to the formation of crepey skin. “It’s really not the sun itself — it’s ultraviolet radiation,” Francis explained. “Any type of ultraviolet radiation exposure is going to damage and degrade the collagen and the elastin tissues.”
Genetics play a factor, too. “If you look at your parents, if they have crepey skin, you know you need to start the process of preventing a little bit earlier,” Francis said.
According to Marmon, many women begin to notice crepey skin around the time they hit menopause because the drop in estrogen during that time speeds up the decrease in collagen and elastin, resulting in a thinning of the skin with a loss of moisture and fat.
“It starts around middle age and gets worse as we age,” Francis reiterated. “The elastic fibers, they start off very strong. Twenty-something-, 30-something-year-olds, their skin snaps right back. Once you get to 40, it doesn’t quite work that way.” 
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noëlle S. Sherber told HuffPost that crepey skin from UV damage usually shows up around the eyes, the chest and the backs of the hands. Some people also see it above the knees and on the inner arms.

With so many beverages to choose from you may ask——why water? 🤔  I’ll tell you!
Nearly ALL of your body’s major systems depend on water to function and survive.  
Fun Fact:   60% of your body weight is made up of water 😮
Examples ways water works in your body:
- Regulates body temperature 
- Moistens tissues in the eyes, nose, & mouth 
- Protects body organs, tissues, spinal cord
- Carries nutrients & oxygen to cells
- Lubricates joints
- Lessens burden on kidneys and liver by flushing out waste products, helping to fight off illness
- Aids in digestion 
- Water helps absorb vitamins, minerals, & nutrients from your food
- Helps your brain! With not enough water it can negatively impact your focus, alertness, and short-term memory 

DID YOU KNOW? Every day you lose 8-12 Cups of water through breathing, perspiration, and going to the bathroom.
It’s best to try and drink 8 Cups a day. 

TIPS to incorporate water so it’ll become a natural part of your day;
> Start the morning of by drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up……..even BEFORE your coffee 😃
> Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go 
> Set goals for yourself 
> Cut out sugary beverages to avoid empty calories 

DON’T like plain water?????   Try club soda, seltzer, sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice, add a slice of lemon or lime.

Here’s a recipe to try.
STRAWBERRY BASIL-INFUSED WATER
1 pint of sliced strawberries 🍓 
10 fresh basil leaves, torn 🍃 
1 slice of lemon 🍋 
2 quarts of water 💦 
Combine strawberries, basil, and lemon in a 64 ounce pitcher.  Pour water over the top and chill for at least three hours.
This refreshing, flavored water can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days .

ENJOY 😃
Barbie Clemons, LMT
​Call /Text  774-487-2611