In this chat, I’m talking about cortisol — you’ve probably heard it called the stress hormone — and what it actually does in your body. It’s not good or bad on its own. In fact, it plays an important role in helping you wake up, exercise, and respond to stress.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about cortisol causing weight gain. The reality is, your nutrition, activity, sleep, and stress habits matter far more for your weight than your hormone levels. Cortisol might affect where you store fat, but it’s not the reason you gain it in the first place.

That’s why I encourage you to focus on eating well, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and looking after your overall health — instead of worrying about “fixing” your cortisol. Those basics will make the biggest difference.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Understanding Cortisol: The Stress Hormone

02:43 Cortisol and Body Fat: Myths and Realities

05:21 Focus on What Matters: Nutrition and Lifestyle Over Hormones

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