“You’ve heard of cortisol, the stress hormone, right? Well, when levels become chronically high, it can trigger enzymes that instruct your fat cells to grow, obscuring your abs. It also makes sleep more elusive, which limits the amount of testosterone you produce – and the pay-off you get from exercise.
“Fortunately, there are numerous things you can do to solve the problem. First, deal with any irregular eating patterns you might have. Every time you eat, your body releases the hormone insulin, which counteracts cortisol, so a “little and often” eating routine is wiser than working through your lunch and overcompensating later.
“If you’ve been feeling fatigued for a while, serious graft will probably compound your stress, making it harder – not easier – to achieve your abs. On weekdays,…