When you get a better grasp on what hormones are and how they affect your health and metabolism, you'll have better success in your health and fitness journey!
Your metabolism is constantly called upon by your body to carry out many daily functions: energy levels, burning fat vs. storing fat, regulating sugar levels, keeping neurons firing and so on. When your metabolism isn't firing on all cylinders, you're going to lack that energy and motivation to get you through your days, making you feel like a snail crawling through peanut butter! Having trouble losing weight? Feeling fatigued and sluggish all day long? Rely on that daily dose(s) of caffeine? Lack of sex drive? Lack of focus? Hello, metabolism!
There are a variety of things that can affect our metabolism and hormones such as: Constantly dieting or being in a caloric deficit. When we are consistently providing our bodies with less calories than we are burning, we are repeatedly elevating our cortisol levels, leaving our bodies feeling stressed. Lack of sleep, exercise and proper nutrition, and too much caffeine can also affect our metabolism and hormones in a negative way.
Understanding Hormones and Metabolism:
ADRENALINE: Breaks down glycogen (stored glucose) for energy; mobilizes fat for energy, forms sugars from fats and proteins.
CORTISOL: Mobilizes fat for energy; forms sugars from fats and proteins; breaks down protein for energy. You stress and belly fat hormone.
ESTROGEN: Enhances HDL blood levels; stimulates female pattern of fat deposit.
GHRELIN: "Hunger hormone"; regulates appetite, increases w/ lack of sleep. When you don't get enough sleep, you are more likely to crave carbs and sugary foods the next day.
GLUCAGON: Breaks down glycogen (stored glucose) for energy; forms sugar from fats and proteins.
GROWTH HORMONE: Stimulates amino acid update, stimulates protein synthesis, breaks down fats for energy; forms sugars from fats and proteins. HIIT training and fat loss help to raise these levels.
INSULIN: Lowers blood sugar levels; catalyzes oxidation of glucose into ATP (energy); helps convert glucose to glycogen; converts glucose to fat; stimulates amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in muscle.
LEPTIN: "Satiety hormone"; regulates appetite. This is our 'happy' hormone and helps to lower our cortisol levels. When we aren't in a constant caloric deficit, our leptin levels will be higher (good!) and cortisol levels will be lower (good!)
TESTOSTERONE: Stimulates protein synthesis
Do you need help with regulating your hormones and metabolism and getting your body from feeling like a beat up jalopy to running like a Ferrari? We can help! Simple changes to your diet and daily activities can have you feeling like a million bucks in a matter of time!
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