Chronic elevated cortisol drives visceral (belly) fat storage independently of what you eat. The good news: the behavioral fixes are well-studied.
Cortisol shifts fat storage toward the abdomen and increases appetite for high-sugar and high-fat foods.
It also worsens sleep, which raises cortisol further — a spiral that shows up on the scale.
7+ hours of sleep. Daily walking outdoors. Strength training (raises acute cortisol but lowers chronic levels). Cutting caffeine after 2 pm.
Track the waist that stress inflates.
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