When you consider all of the things that are involved in living a fitness lifestyle — the training, the diet, etc. — there are many, many facets that are involved. Everything from the way you work out, to the timing of the foods you eat, to how many hours of sleep you get, and so much more can all affect the kinds of gains you make. However, something that falls short on a lot of individuals are the very hormones that are involved in your body, and the way they can help (or hinder) your progress.You may already be familiar with testosterone, and how it can help increase protein synthesis, which can lead to further development of lean muscle mass. Conversely, the hormone cortisol is catabolic, in that it essentially breaks down tissue. It literally reduces protein synthesis and the growth of tissue. The control of your cortisol levels really can play a large role in your development of muscle. While there isn’t a lot you can do in the way of completely shutting out this hormone (nor would you want to), you can take measures into your hands by adhering to a few basic ideas. Keep your workouts under…
