This is a perfect example of “everyone knows.” You will be told by all sorts of experts that the reason why you are FAT is because you don’t exercise enough or because you eat too much. This might be partially true; however, how do you explain the skinny guy who can eat like a horse and never gain an ounce?

And what about the person who exercises two hours per day, seven days per week, runs 26-mile marathons, and loses ZERO weight?

In my new book, The 7 Principles of Fat Burning [ more ], I tell you what’s really going on. Your own hormones are blocking weight loss. The main hormone is cortisol. You have probably seen infomercials on all sorts of diet pills that supposedly lower cortisol. The problem is that cortisol levels can’t be lowered by pills.

 

Let me explain how this hormone works. Cortisol is made from the outer layer of your adrenal glands (stress glands on top of your kidneys). Cortisol is a glucocorticoid, meaning it releases glucose (or sugar) from your muscles and liver. In plain terms, this hormone keeps your body burning sugar, NOT burning fat. The body will then take this high level of sugar and convert it into FAT around the organs in your midsection.

 

This midsection fat will then be resistant to dieting. In other words, it will be very stubborn, because most diets, including low-calorie ones, give the dieter more stress. This only makes things worse.

 

Exercise won’t work either because this adds MORE stress to the system. More stress equals more work for the adrenals. However, if you exercise by walking or treadmill with a pulse rate of 125 to 130, the adrenals seem to relax and cortisol levels will decrease. But make sure you do not eat ANY sweets before, during or after. This includes juice and sports drinks. Adding some protein one hour before will help decrease cortisol. Make it in the form of raw nuts or seeds. Small amounts of protein trigger growth hormone. When growth hormone increases, cortisol decreases. Use low-pulse-rate exercise to control cortisol levels. The more stress you experience, the more I would recommend keeping in aerobic exercise. Do it every day but be sure you do it so you do not experience heavy breathing. Your breathing should be regular and not huffing and puffing.

Walking outside is much better than an inside treadmill, if this is possible.

 

You have to eat, not to lose weight, but to feed or heal your adrenals. Then, after a few weeks, you can add exercise, but only as long as you keep your pulse rate below 130/minute. These body types should NEVER skip a meal, yet they should also NEVER stuff themselves. Both skipping meals and overeating add stress.

 

This body type needs to sleep at least seven hours a night, because lack of sleep means more stress.

 

To get the full program, read my book The 7 Principles of Fat Burning. You might also want to take the free quiz [ here ].

Dr. Eric Berg
Dr. Berg on the web: www.drberg.com
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Dr. Eric Berg is a chiropractor who specializes in weight loss, nutrition and pain relief. He has taught as an associate professor at Howard University. He is the developer of the Acupressure Stress Elimination Technique (ASET) and has trained hundreds of healthcare practitioners. Dr. Berg is the author of the new book The 7 Principles of Fat Burning. This information is provided as information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication. Readers should consult competent healthcare professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.