The irritability, mood swings, depression, headaches and cravings for sweets that often accompany weight loss usually represent fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Exercise is important here, and so is nutritional support. The first step is to avoid refined foods, foods high in simple sugars, and sugar itself. These foods cause blood sugar levels to skyrocket, only to crash later on. When this happens the body starts craving more sugar for fuel. Blood sugar or glucose is fuel for your brain. A lack of blood sugar in the brain can be devastating, so your body strives to maintain blood levels within a narrow range. Sugar levels can easily run high or low, depending on how the body metabolizes carbohydrates and/or sugars. Focusing on whole foods rich in plant fibers (vegetables and grains in particular) and lean protein sources (like poultry and fish) will help the body stabilize blood sugar levels. Nutritional supplementation may help if the craving for sweets is severe. The body may be lacking specific nutrients involved in carbohydrate metabolism. For example, the trace mineral Chromium is a critical nutrient in blood sugar control. Gymnema Sylvestre has been shown to reduce the amount of sugar the body can absorb.

Good nutrition is important whenever the body is dealing with stress. To function properly, the nervous system needs nutrients for proper stress management. Without proper nutrition the body cannot deal with stress. Exercise is also an excellent way to deal with stress and improve muscle tone of the heart as well as the entire body. Not only does regular exercise make people look better, it also makes them feel better. Tensions, depressions, feelings of inadequacy, and worries diminish greatly with regular exercise. A 40-minute walk, regardless of pace, can significantly reduce both blood pressure and anxiety levels in people tested recently at the University of Massachusetts Center for Health and Fitness. Exercise alone has been demonstrated to have a tremendous impact on improving an individual's mood and the ability to handle stressful life situations. Study has shown that more successful people exercise than non-successful people. This is due to the decreases of tension, insomnia, anxiety, and stress. Next time you feel stressed-out, take a walk or go dancing.

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