So I read some research recently, which stated that cortisol effects us negatively in terms of bodybuilding.
What do you think about it? I learned that, cortisol is produced by adrenaline glands and it also helps our bodies to use sugar and fight stress.
So, those are rather positive things
Unfortunately, I have also read that it may cause negative effects when we are under a lot of stress.
Studies say, that due to cortisol changes caused by a lot of stress it's harder to lose fat from your belly.
In most cases stress is a mental issue due to pressure applied on us by environment, but also very often it may be an result of a bad diet or simply overtraining.
So, what do you think? Does cortisol really can impact us that negatively and is it much harder to get into a decent shape when we are under a lot of pressure?
Well, if you ask me it's load of cr**. Cortisol levels depend on really many different factors and if it really has a connection with our inability to lose belly fat, then it's probably the result of many other elements in combination with cortisol.
To be honest I cannot even imagine amount of stress I would have to be under in order to get my weight loss slowed down.
I agree with hammlie here. This research has some truth indeed, but I still think that cortisol doesn't really impact losing fat from our tummies significantly.
I would like to also say, that I have noticed the biggest progress, when I was under a huge amount of stress in work, so.. It's more likely, that inability to lose fat from your belly is a genetic tendency rather than effect of cortisol changes due to heavy stress.
Sure, it may have some impact - but it depends on a person and other factors as well as we are all different, our hormones level and inclinations differ greatly as well.
Actually, the most stressful event for our bodies is waking up from the sleep, that's why cortisol level is highest in the morning.
Some people are more "stressed" due to waking up than others, that's why for example IF diets or avoiding carbohydrates in the morning for some people is a great idea, while some require
those extra calories immediately after getting out of bed
I rather say, that everyone is different and it's best to apply certain strategies based on how your body reacts to some things. Cortisol level is not to blame here and even if it really impacts losing fat from your stomach it's due to many other factors and cortisol itself is only a puzzle element here.
I wouldn't say that it really makes any difference, unless you have some serious problems with your cortisol/other hormones level.
It's much better to just simplify it like Katyaa did and apply certain approaches based on how we react to things.
I'm basically constantly under a lot of stress due to my work and I didn't notice any regress because of that
I wanted to also note, that even though I'm under a lot of pressure I need to eat in the morning or I'm not really feeling good. I also need to have at least a few meals per day.
I have actually tried IF diet for a over a month and it definitely didn't sit well with me, while a friend of mine, which has a tendency to gaining weight had lots of trouble losing fat on any other diet than IF.
I'll allow myself to add, that this friend of mine was also under a heavy stress, when he was losing his weight, so I don't really see this theory about cortisol to be true.
It's all genetics if you ask me and there are many other elements to be considered here besides cortisol.