Part 2: Addicted to High Cortisol Exercise: WHY you feel addicted + what to expect when you stop
Happy Monday!
I hope you had a great weekend. My weekend in a nutshell: On Friday evening, I met my friend for an unforgettable dining experience at Zarak, an Afghan restaurant known for its incredible cuisine, flavours, and perfect pairings. On Saturday, we spent quality time with Ryan's Mom, taking in the breathtaking views from Cypress mountain. And on Sunday, I went to my weekly spin class, we did our 11-minute ocean dip, food prepped, and had a delicious whole roast chicken dinner cooked in the dutch oven.
If you read last week's newsletter: "Are You Addicted to High Cortisol Exercise?" and it resonated with you, then keep reading because today I'm going to talk about:
1. Why the addiction occurs in some people
2. What changes you can expect in your body when you reduce your high cortisol exercise
The WHY: 3 things that happen on a Nervous System level when you become addicted to High Cortisol Exercise:
1) Dopamine release: Dopamine is released in response to pleasurable experiences (ie. exercise). High-intensity workouts can lead to a release of dopamine in the brain. Over time, the brain can become conditioned to expect this dopamine release during and after high-intensity workouts, leading to a desire to repeat the experience.
2) Endorphin release: Endorphins can produce feelings of euphoria and reduce pain perception. High-intensity workouts can lead to a significant release of endorphins, which can create a "natural high" that some people may become addicted to.
3) Habit formation: The brain is wired to seek out patterns and habits. Regular high-intensity workouts can become a habit that the brain craves, leading to a desire to continue the behaviour.
If you’re used to doing high cortisol exercise daily and you suddenly stop, you may experience some symptoms of cortisol withdrawal, including:
Fatigue: High cortisol exercise can give a temporary boost of energy, so when you stop, you might feel more tired than usual.
Mood changes: When you stop doing high cortisol exercise, you may experience mood swings, irritability, or even depression.
Changes in appetite: Cortisol affects appetite and metabolism, so you may experience changes in your hunger levels or food cravings. Elevated levels of Cortisol can increase cravings for salty and sugary foods, so you might notice a decrease in these cravings.
Anxiety: Cortisol can also affect anxiety levels, and you might feel more or less anxious when you stop doing high cortisol exercise.
💫My Tip: You don't have to go cold-turkey, but if my last email resonated with you, you’d likely benefit from replacing or cutting back on some of the high intense/long duration exercise.I'm personally a fan of substitutes, so try swapping out that 5th session of F45 or CrossFit for a 30 minute walk in nature and see how you feel!
Finally, if you want to see sustainable physique changes, focus on lifting weights and building muscle to create a rock solid physique that doesn't require pushing your body to its limits every time you workout.💪
Sending strength + encouragement,
Alicia
✨PS. Spots are still available for 1:1 Health Coaching where we look at your nutrition, movement, and mindset to create a sustainable and balanced approach so that you can achieve and maintain your physique goals without losing your mind!
APPLY HERE