Anti-Stress Week

So you have started working out consistently, your eating is getting dialed in but something is still missing and you are not getting the results that you would expect. What is the problem? Probably stress! Stress can ruin the best fat loss plan. When our bodies encounter stress it changes our hormonal environment which can make it very hard to lose fat and gain muscle. Some of the hormonal changes that occur with stress are increased cortisol, leading to abdominal fat storage, decreased testosterone leading to a hard time building muscle, and reduced insulin sensitivity leading to an inability to burn body fat. All of these changes are produced by stress and they are detrimental to your results and your health. So how do you know if you have a stress problem? Answer these simple questions

1) Do you feel like you have more to do than there are hours in the day? If yes, then this is strike one.

2) Do you routinely sleep less than 8 hours per night? If yes, then this is strike two.

3) Have you been overly aware of how many calories you have been eating for an extended period of time? If yes, then strike three.

All of these factors play a role in stress and most of the people that I know would answer yes to these three questions. So what do you do if you have a stress problem? This week every post will be devoted to giving you ways to lower your stress levels.

The first tip that I will give you to lower the stress levels on your body, is to go to bed earlier. Try to get to bed before 10pm and sleep for at least 8 hours. When you go to bed late you destroy the natural rhythm of the body and your hormones function by this natural rhythm. By getting more sleep you will regulate your cortisol, improve insulin sensitivity, and improve your growth hormone release. All of these things will improve your body composition and health.