Cortisol is a steroid hormone that maybe one of the reasons for your limited progress in the gym. When released to the correct amounts Cortisol is vital and regulates blood sugar levels, metabolism, and reduce inflammation.
Cortisol is released in excess when your body is under very stressful conditions such as having a limited food supply, excessively long bouts of exercise, limited sleep or just a stressful day at work. If unchecked and cortisol levels remain heightened certain chronic issues can arise that are associated with the following:
- Suppressed immunity
- Hypertension.
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- Insulin resistance.
- Carbohydrate cravings.
- Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
- Fat deposits on the face, neck, and belly.
- Reduced libido.
- As you can see from this list, Cortisol can play a massive part in uncontrollable weight management and many other life threatening issues when your body remains chronically stressed for lengthy periods of time. This is one of the main reasons to keep training short (unless training for something specific) and intensity high. Training before breakfast (when in a fasted state) can also cause heightened levels of cortisol.
- Control your cortisol levels by dedicating more time to sleep, eating healthy and more nutritional foods, keeping exercises sessions short but sharp and trying to steer clear of stressful situations – I know some of this is easier said than done but if it is achieved then your training may well come on leaps and bounds.
- Don’t get stressed if you can’t meet your new goals so make them realistic or it will make you worse!!
