Weight loss is a dynamic process which is affected by many factors. There are times when one may be struggling to lose weight, only to find out, the reason why they could not do so is a habit or something we do unconsciously. While you may not know, breathing plays a very important part in your weight loss. As we know, the simple principle of weight loss is you go into a calorie deficit which helps you lose weight by using the excess fat in your body by converting it to energy. The Cleveland Clinic points out that your body uses energy in many different ways, when you are active like doing an exercise, or eating as your digestive system needs to break down the food into nutrients as well as when you are resting. Your body needs energy to pump your lungs, so they breathe, and your brain keeps receiving oxygen.So can we assume that breathing has an effect on our weight? A 2014 BMJ report looked into this and understood that our lungs are the main way that fat leaves your body. When you exercise and get your heart pumping, your body is working harder and needs more energy. To get that energy from fat, the fat cells go through a process, and one of the main things that happens is that carbon is released. This carbon then travels in your blood to your lungs, and when you breathe out, you're actually getting rid of that carbon in the form of carbon dioxide. So, every time you exhale, you're helping to shuttle fat out of your body.Stress Could Hinder Your Weight LossWhile breathing hard when you're exercising is a good sign that you're burning energy and helping to get rid of fat, the way you breathe when you're just sitting around can tell a different story. If you find yourself breathing very quickly and taking short, shallow breaths even when you're not doing anything active, it could be a sign that you're feeling stressed. MedlinePlus explains that this happens when cortisol kicks into our system. The reason why too much cortisol can affect your weight is because it causes you to crave foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat.How Breathing Is The Right Tool To Combat StressWhen you take slow, deep breaths and focus on letting all the air out, it sends a signal to your body that it is okay to relax. There are lots of different ways to practice breathing for relaxation, but one of the easiest and safest is called deep, diaphragmatic breathing. You can do this anywhere, but it's often helpful to lie down flat on your back to start. You just put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly, and then you breathe in slowly through your nose, feeling your belly rise. Then you breathe out slowly, feeling your belly fall. 2017 study in Frontiers suggested that diaphragmatic breathing for 15 minutes can reduce negative feelings. Over a longer period, those who did the deep breathing regularly also had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their bodies. So, while deep breathing isn't going to magically make you lose weight, by helping you feel less stressed, it can stop you from reaching for those unhealthy comfort foods that can mess up your weight loss plans.