Cortisol Issues

Let's talk cortisol....

I'm a bit stuck and frustrated with my body. I workout hard yet smart...lifting 3-4 times a week, 2-HIIT sessions and lots of walking. Eating is clean 1500, low carb-ish and high protein.

I have been gaining weight which pisses me off and also makes me wonder what the F is going on. I recently was talked into doing the cortisol saliva kit and it revealed a reverse cortisol curve. It means that my cortisol is very low in the morning and high at night, preventing me for quality sleep/recovery. Normal cortisol is high in the morning and dips in the evening...

Does this basically make it impossible to lean down until it's healed? If i have to back off and (big sigh) rest, I’ll do it but begrudgingly. Is anyone else going through this or know someone who has?

I just started working with a nutrition/metabolic specialist on this as well. I'm seeking some similar stories from others who have been there and come through recovered.

Thanks for reading...
B

Replies

  • Trojanbabe
    Trojanbabe Posts: 17 Member
    Adding to this that I'm currently backing off from my HIIT and trying to get into...yoga. Ugh.
  • kikiloo
    kikiloo Posts: 14
    Haven't come through it, just starting the recovery process also. Not easy to ease up on the working out.
  • vienna_h
    vienna_h Posts: 428 Member
    I have overall high cortisol, following surgery last summer. I probably got an infection after the surgery. Had to energy and couldn't sleep for months.

    I've only recently (in the past two months) started having enough energy to work out again. And even though I'm doing everything right (diet and exercise) there has been no improvement. The 15lbs I gained because of the higher cortisol hasn't budged :(

    I'm hoping I'll start to see some changes soon.
  • lpina2mi
    lpina2mi Posts: 425 Member
    Adding to this that I'm currently backing off from my HIIT and trying to get into...yoga. Ugh.

    In addition to Yoga, rebounding is effective. I cannot do intense cardio/elipticals/cycle withou gaining wt, but I can do rebounding with free weights. Moreover, despite the circle that discounts light hand weights and resistance bands, these are of more use to me than heavy lifting.