My Irishman has been struggling to lose weight even though he’s been really loving eating Slow Carb for quite a while now.
It’s been puzzling me so I went back to Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes to see if there’s something we missed.
And the good news is, I think I’ve found the answer.
Of course the bad news is it won’t be super easy to change… but he’s just had two new people join his team, so hopefully the workload will ease off soon.
there’s more to fat storage than insulin
Our bodies are complex systems. There are many other factors which influence our waistlines than just carbs, blood sugar and insulin. One big player is cortisol, the hormone we secrete as a response to stress or anxiety.
the role of cortisol
Cortisol works to both store fat in our fat cells and also it can get it out. When insulin levels are raised, cortisol actually further increases fat storage.
When insulin levels are low, cortisol accelerates fat burning.
This may explain why some people pack on the pounds when they are stressed, whereas other people waste away under stress.
and the takeaway?
Stress = cortisol.
Cortisol + insulin = massive fat storage
So if you’re finding it difficult to lose or maintain your weight and your diet is all on track, it’s time to look at your stress levels and reduce them wherever possible.
back to Reclaim Your Waistline
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