ACE ~On Hormones~

In school, studying the endocrine system was mind boggling!! Hormones have a myriad of physiological properties that work in a synchronized manner to regulate ALL aspects of bodily functions, where one effects the other and the other effects the other, just like dominoes!

If I learned anything in hormones (that I can remember) it's that hormonal imbalances have a big effect on the shape of your body, or has the tendency of placing your biggest fat stores in particular areas.

Here's a little game called, "What Hormonal Imbalance Causes This Shape!?" (How to play: Self explanatory)

1. Arm Fat                                              a. High Cortisol
2. Belly Fat                                             b. High Estrogen
3. Love Handles                                      c. Low Testosterone
4. Man Boobs                                         d. High Insulin
5. Thigh/Butt Fat                                              

Hormone: Cortisol

Too much? Slowed metabolism, increased body fat, decrease in lean muscle
Too little? Almost never an issue

  3 Suggestions To Reduce Cortisol: 

1.  Lower your carbohydrate consumption!
2.  Get more sleep!
3. Stop overstressing your body! Even doing too much cardio can overstress your body, TIP: use metabolic resistance training instead of excessive aerobics!


Hormone: Estrogen

Too much? Increased body fat, increased body weight
Too little? Joint pain, health issues, slowed muscle building

 3 Keys to Taking Control of Estrogen (for Fat Loss):

1) Blood sugar management:  REMOVE  ALL REFINED SUGARS from your diet

2) Take care of your Adrenal glands: get more sleep, take less stimulants, take time to relax

3) Take care of your gastrointestinal system: eat organic vegetables and fruits!!

• Foods that keep estrogen levels in check. This can be accomplished by eating plenty of cruciferous vegetables daily. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage contain a substance named indole-3-carbinol (I3C). This substance has been shown to have a positive effect on estrogen metabolism. In addition, these vegetables also assist in detoxifying the body.

Hormone: Insulin

Too much? Increased body fat, increased body weight, increased blood pressure, insulin resistance
Too little? Type-1 diabetes

#1 way to get insulin under control:

CUT DOWN ON CARBOHYDRATES. (i.e. Breads, refined sugars, pastas, & dairy proteins)

1.) Your goal isn’t to get insulin down to zero, you need it to move nutrients around in your body.  Instead, you want to prevent the insulin surges that come with a rush from sugars or dairy proteins.
2.) Just start replacing carb calories in your diet with vegetables, proteins, and fats, and you’ll get your insulin levels where they need to be for a great looking, healthy body!

Hormone: Testosterone

Too much? Almost never an issue.
Too little? Increased body fat, decreased lean muscle.

3 Suggestions to NATURALLY increase testosterone:

1.) Eat lots of protein & HEALTHY fats,
2.) Get more sleep
3.) Stop the high intensity aerobics and start lifting more weights!

Closing:  

Please understand something important:  If you’re not exercising right and you eat like crap, don’t blame hormones.  These are the “final piece” of the fat loss puzzle.  Eat right and do metabolism boosting workouts before you start blaming hormones! =-)  TTFN