Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I've had some cortisol issues in the past and I am finally starting to get back to normal. I do like training first thing in the morning on occasion, but I am worried it will cause my cortisol issues to come back? I know your cortisol levels should be at it's highest first thing in the morning, but does training on an empty stomach in the morning cause someone with a history of cortisol problems more problems?

flag	asked May 1 2011 at 23:36 hemanvt 8,715●2●17●72

No, you should not. – No more. Jul 11 2011 at 5:37

gn · Answer 1 · 2011-06-13 01:59:27Z UTC

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i have a similar issue, and from my own experience i would suggest that fasted work out is fine ONLY IF you do not eat anything (particularly carbs) immediately afterward: forget about post-workout nutrition advice, as it is not for metabolically and hormonally 'broken' people

answered Jun 13 2011 at 1:59

gn

	I'd love to hear more about this. Did you find this n=1 or is someone advising this? You eat nothing pre or post? I really struggle with nutrition around WO's and am definitely a "broken". – Shari Bambino Jun 27 2011 at 3:26
	I'd have to see some data to support this, otherwise I think this is a very rare n=1. Everything I've read and listened to up to this point stresses how important proper PWO (post-workout) nutrition is that fasting before and after sounds like a terrible idea. Just my $.02 though. – Nutritionator Jun 27 2011 at 3:58
	@Shari: as i eat only once a day in the evening, and work out (body weight) in the morning - it can be said that i work out fasted, and if i eat anything within a couple of hours after a workout that is pure zero carb - according to my self-observation any carbs eaten just after a work-out are stored directly and immediately and as a belly fat, which is perhaps due to low insulin sensitivity and high post-workout levels of cortisol – gn Jun 27 2011 at 5:10
	@Nutritionator: as for a fasted work-outs - i got this idea from "Leangains", but its author, on the other hand, advocates for an immediate carb refill after a work-out - which i find works completely backwards in my case – gn Jun 27 2011 at 5:13
	@gn, Thanks. I've dropped carbs and am just using whey with glutamine added pwo. No more cravings being set off by the carbs and weight has stabilized. I know Robb Wolf addressed this in one of his podcasts and I think he's right that those of us with sub-optimal metabolisms might do well to forget the pwo carbs at least until the day comes when our bodies are more normalized (and I am pretty much convinced that day will not be coming for me at least not in this lifetime.) – Shari Bambino Jul 11 2011 at 3:29

PersonMan · Answer 2 · 2011-05-01 23:47:01Z UTC

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Likely. It depends on duration , intensity, time and type of exercise and th amount of cortisol usually secreted. The hormones relationship with testosterone- it is claimed- is antagonistic: one is elevated to reduce the other's influence and vice versa up to a certain point. What determines that point is physiology("of the individual"). Boost your test and thereby reduce your cortisol, or don't train under those conditions.

answered May 1 2011 at 23:47

PersonMan

	So in my situation would you just avoid it? If not, what type of duration, intensity, time or type of exercise would you do or not do? I feel like my cortisol issues have gone away, more afraid they will come back. – hemanvt May 2 2011 at 0:33
	I would recommend not working out longer than 30 minutes per session and keeping them as intense as is tolerable. No long duration endurance exercise. Myself, I have to admit I am confused on this topic also and attribute my fatigue to mismanaged hormone levels in part. I would also like some feedback on the cortisol issue, its precipitates and signs/symptoms. Maybe make another post as I haven't had much luck with thorough responses as late. – PersonMan May 2 2011 at 16:29

UncleLongHair · Answer 3 · 2011-08-08 08:08:07Z UTC

I used to have to eat before exercise, but gradually changed to fasting before and then eating after. The first few workouts were a little rough (uneven energy, not much endurance) but eventually got a lot better.

Now I can easily do a 20-35 minute intense workout (kettlebells, floor exercises, burpees, abs) fasted. For me I think that this burns more fat, and is also convenient (can work out first thing in the morning). This took a few weeks to really become comfortable but I am glad I stuck with it.

Now, I don't feel that I need to eat right after exercising either, I am a little hungry but can wait. Like I will often wake up, have just some coffee for breakfast, work out at around 11-11:30, then have lunch at 1 or 2.

I think this has helped my overall mood and energy (i.e. Cortisol). One theory is that I have trained myself to burn stored fat for workouts rather than requiring food.

Should you avoid training on an empty stomach if you have cortisol issues?

3 Answers