How does Cortisol work with exercise, weight loss?

Cortisol is a vital hormone produced by the adrenal gland and is also known as the "stress hormone" as it responds to stress. Increases blood pressure, blood sugar levels and also has immunosuppressive actions.

The body has higher levels in the morning and lower at night, normally. When the body is stressed it releases cortisol into the bloodstream, in higher levels during fight or flight response to stress (fight or flight can release adrenalin and cortisol). Stress can be either psychological (mental and emotional) or physical.

High levels can lead to an increase of abdominal fat, which can lead to heart attacks, strokes and can also increase your bad cholesterol levels and decrease your good cholesterol levels. High levels of cortisol also decrease bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis, it will slow down your metabolic rate and decrease muscle tissue.

Different people will have a different level of cortisol, some will be more receptive to stress and eat more food, in particular carbohydrates.

Relaxation and changing your lifestyle will help you reduce cortisol levels to normal and decrease your chances of weight gain, high blood pressure, bone density etc etc. Relaxing can be simple as breathing in and out or walking with good breaths relaxing the body.