Expert: Eric Brandt - 3/23/2010

Question
Eric
I am a 51 year old guy struggling with mainly abdominal obesity and bloating.
I have determined that certain foods(alcohol, fatty foods) cause more bloating and have cut back.
But, in spite of dieting and exercise(running helps me de-stress however) I cant get waist to shrink.
At 5'8" it should be smaller than the current 44 inches I am aware of the health risks involved.
I was researching my problem on the internet and I keep seeing a connection between cortisol and abdominal obesity/visceral fat.
Is there anything to this or is this just the latest fad?
I am thinking there might be something to it in my case. I have been a coffee and tea drinker since childhood (by the way I was a fat kid), and when I started my new job last year my belly got even bigger. This job is fairly stressfull and because it involves shiftwork I am drinking coffee in the evening to stay alert. Also, my blood pressure rose to the point that I am now taking medication. My stress level has improved now, and the money and benifits are good and at my age quitting is not an option.
Thanks for your help/thoughts!

Answer
Hi Van,
I work out daily on an elliptical trainer 30 minutes per day. I lost 22 pounds in 4 months and waist size from 38 to 34. This is only my personal experience. Consider it insead of running.
I did not find running as helpful.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm