Cortisol Explained: What If Your Body Is Trying To Protect?

What if I told you your body isn't trying to sabotage you, it's trying to protect you? And what if the exact thing you're blaming for lack of progress is actually a survival system that's been protecting humans for thousands of years? Let’s talk about Cortisol. The hormone everybody loves to blame. And social media has turned into a villain. Let’s understand cortisol completely?

If you've been on social media for any amount of time, you've probably heard someone say, "Can't lose weight? Cortisol. Stressed out? Having cravings? Cortisol. Most popular blame, belly fat? Cortisol. While there is some truth to this, the reality is cortisol isn't that bad. As a matter of fact, without cortisol, you die. No drama, just biology.

What Is Cortisol?

So, what exactly is cortisol? Cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal gland. These little gland sits on top of your kidneys, and they act as an emergency response team.

Cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal gland

Think of cortisol as your body's chief survival officer. It helps regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammation, energy production, immune functions, and sleep/wake cycles. Every single morning, cortisol helps you wake up. That's one reason we seem more vibrant in the morning. It's Cortisol. So, cortisol isn't the enemy. The problem isn't cortisol. The problem is we live in a world that constantly tells our body it's in danger.

Why the conversation is often oversimplified

Thousands of years ago, stress looked a little different. The stress may have been a tiger chasing you, or famine, or your tribe was at war with another tribe. However, that stress would pass and your cortisol levels could go back to normal for months, maybe years at a time. Today, the danger never leaves. It's emails, bills, notifications, arguments, work deadlines, sleep deprivation, traffic, financial stress, family stress, health stress. The interesting part is  body doesn't differentiate if it's being chased by a tiger or it’s being chased by a deadline. And nowadays, that “chase” could go on for months. And the mind doesn't know the difference. So, your body feels like you're in danger nonstop. And all the body does is respond to that. And this is where things get fascinating.

Belly Fat Cortisol Connection

 So, imagine you're under threat daily. The smartest thing you can do is store energy, preserve resources, and prepare for hard times. And that's what happens within the body. Your body becomes more interested in conserving energy, increasing your appetite, and encouraging calorie storage, especially around the abdomen. Your body is responding intelligently to the signals we're providing it. So, you might be thinking like, I hear you, but what does the body have against my middle section? Why do I need the fat around the belly? Come on now.

 Let's talk about why cortisol is often linked with visceral fat or belly fat. Because that's where the most important organs in the body are. And the body is preparing for survival. So, if you have more fat around organs, you're less likely or it's less easy for you to be damaged in those areas. Also it's a spacious area for your body to store energy (aka fat). See all the body is doing is preparing for future challenges. The PROBLEM is in our modern-day society challenges never subside.  Our body is constantly thinking it needs to store away this fat to help us survive.

Why I choose the content I create

This is where it gets important to me and why I like to create these kinds of films because in my lifetime trying to lose weight, we were always told eat less, move more. Nutrition and movement is vital and important to weight loss. However, I now know understanding why we gain weight is just as important. Your sleep is just as important. Trying to lessen our stress is just as important. And how we speak to ourselves is equally important. Because if your nervous system is constantly feeling like it's under threat, your body is moving and reacting with a whole different set of priorities than what we're trying to rationalize.

Self-Talk could be Sabotaging your Weight Loss

Did you know that your brain reacts to self-criticism the same as it reacts to external criticism? Well, think about it. When you're subconsciously saying, "I'm lazy. I'm never going to lose weight. I always fail." Your body may interpret those thoughts as stress signals. Your self-talk might create physiological consequences. Now, don't get it wrong. Thinking positively does not burn fat or cause you to lose weight magically. But what it does mean is your thoughts are not disconnected biologically. They are deeply connected. And unfortunately, this may be where social media gets it wrong. Some people talk about supplements. Magic powders are plain old quick fixes, but some of the strongest cortisol regulators are incredibly simple. Let's talk about them.

Cortisol Regulators

Sleep, walking, connection, one of my favorites, journaling, deep breathing, strength training, being out in nature, laughter, and purpose. And notice, none of the things I just mentioned came out of a bottle.

Closing Thoughts

If I could leave you with one thing, I want you to, PLEASE stop thinking you're broken or your body is against you.

 Because if we think of it as if our body has been trying to protect us this whole time, we might see differently. Maybe the question isn't why my body isn’t cooperating with me. Maybe the better question is “What signals am I sending my body every day?” Because remember, your body is always listening, always adapting, and always responding.

So no, cortisol is not evil. It's not the villain. It's a messenger. And if we learn to listen to what it's trying to tell us, we may see that the path to health and fitness is not a punishment. It's a partnership. Your body is not your enemy. It's your teammate.

 All right, guys. Do something that makes you proud. Do something to lower your stress. So your cortisol can be at peace.