Weight Loss and Cortisol

DrJackson6

Has anyone heard of cortisol effecting weight loss? Apparently, cortisol is released under stressful conditions and too much exercise can be considered stressful. When I read this it made me think. When I started this life style journey 4 months ago, I watched what I ate and worked out only 60 minutes every day except Sunday. Well, I became a workout addict and increased my daily workout to 2 hours each and every day, Sunday included.

I was under the impression that working out more would equal more weight loss. While I have not gained, my weight loss has slowed down. Apparently, it has something to do with cortisol, stress, and the body holding on to fat. Not really clear on the topic...

Has anyone else noticed anything like this? I know you are probably thinking, that I ate more but actually my diet stayed the same. I went from burning off approx 500 - 600 calories a day to over 1000 calories a day.

Any positive or educational comments that anyone has will be welcome.

Thanks in advance!

TheVimFuego

Interesting that you should post this, there has just been a TV documentary released highlighting some new theories on exercise:

http://www.uknova.com/wsgi/torrent/view/134071

There is evidence that excess exercise will hinder weight loss and drive cortisol up. (edit) And this will absolutely affect the mobilisation of fat.

Personally I stick to some low-level cardio often (walking), some resistance training to help preserve muscle mass and I sprint all-out occasionally. Short periods of intense exercise seem better for me than hours of slog.

I used to exercise pretty obsessively and got the jitters if I didn't get my daily routine in, not anymore.

DrJackson6

DeamVim, That is exactly how I feel when I don't get my 2 hours in but my weight loss has slowed. I am going to go back to my one hour a day. Thank you for responding and posting the link. I can't view the link as no accounts are available, but I will keep trying.

3laine75

yes, i have heard of this. apparently, after a workout is the best/only/whatever time to spike your sugar levels as insulin is cortisols's nemessis great excuse for a snickers.

cindyhoney2

This explains why increasing my workout time has not affected my weight loss. My husband says I'm gaining muscle and losing fat that is why the scales have not moved...IDK

TheVimFuego

DeamVim, That is exactly how I feel when I don't get my 2 hours in but my weight loss has slowed. I am going to go back to my one hour a day. Thank you for responding and posting the link. I can't view the link as no accounts are available, but I will keep trying.

Apologies for the link, I forgot an account was needed, here is the summary on the BBC's site:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01cywtq

I would imagine it will make it to a publically available torrent at some point (if you use these things, I do and it saves me from the horrors of Australian TV ).

Talking of exercise I am off to do my staple ... about 90 minutes of moderate walking by the coast, no cortisol involved but very good for the mind and body. I love sea air.

TheVimFuego

This explains why increasing my workout time has not affected my weight loss. My husband says I'm gaining muscle and losing fat that is why the scales have not moved...IDK

I have actually gained weight according to my Wii Fit but my clothes fit better, I wobble less (where I shouldn't ...) and my belt continues to need adjusting inwards so it's all good I wouldn't sweat the scales ...

DizzyLinds

Bump as I need more info on this. It's something my PT talked to me about today.

DizzyLinds

Bump... Again

vtachycardia

great subject,

More a question of putting together the relationship of insulin, testosterone in exercise and how cortisol comes along to wreck the party.

So, in strength training it is essentially known that you have a nice 45 minute window of testosterone levels rising, insulin pumping lovely glycogen from the liver converting to stuff the muscles love to devour and use as fuel and beautiful anabolic state is reached. Then cortisol comes in and stops this synergy, you want to finish really before there is a cortisol response and my (45minutes) may not be accurate for everyone. Synergy stopped, well being an experienced hypertrophy seeker you know the game is up and have to stop or you are not getting the full benefit. Let the body rest for 24 hours or whatever and do it all again on another body part. so, that is why increasing strength workout time is inaffective. Go train, train hard, train fast, get out or do some cardio if you must.

Other things are at play, but that is the super simple explanation as to why you cannot strength train like you endurance train.

But hitting the wall in endurance parlance is when the glycogen stores run out. However, you can run and refuel that is part of the endurance game not the same for people seeking hypertrophy.

Yes, fast acting glucose taken at this time when strength training will help to increase insulin and therefore decrease cortisol but in a very small window of opportunity. This window is often a great time to do glucose and a second hit of creatine, but you would not want to be doing this if weightloss is your goal, nor a snickers.

now does cortisol stop weight loss, probably not but it is a catabolic and in strength training it is not encouraged because it is detrimental to gaining lean muscle mass efficiently.

Cortisol levels really rise when you have caffeine, which is why I still do not get how caffeine is used by some people in training for limited training gains or why caffeine is seen as such a thermo product for weight loss. Anyho', there you go.

Is this the longest bump response ever and the longest between postings.

RuthieCass

Here's an article on this subject that explained things very clearly: http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/why-big-caloric-deficits-and-lots-of-activity-can-hurt-fat-loss.html

I think "how much cardio is too much" depends on the person. Going from 0 exercise to 2+ hours per day will likely stress your body, making it harder to lose weight. If you are already a very fit person who enjoys training lots, you should probably stick to a smaller deficit in order to support your training while you slowly lose fat. If you are just getting into exercise, you should gradually increase the time to a sustainable & enjoyable level.

vtachycardia

Good article, in relationship to that scenario. Always like less is more, because it is true.