Okay, let's bring in some science about keto and stress.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is produced when the body perceives a stressful situation. It doesn't matter if that stress is a physical threat (somebody chasing you with a sharp knife) or a perceived threat (you’ve left your Christmas shopping to the last minute and cannot find a parking spot).
Cortisol is an important hormone and we cannot live without it.
However, sometimes it is produced in excess for a variety of reasons.
When it is produced in excess, it triggers a cascade of events.
Instead of the body using protein for repair and growth, in a state of excessive cortisol the body converts dietary protein to carbohydrate, which then provides an insulin response (we're trying to avoid too many of these on a ketogenic diet).
The insulin response stops the body from being able to access its own body fat for energy. This can all happen without much of a change in your blood glucose and is how so many people can be getting great blood glucose and ketone readings on a ketogenic diet but not get any traction with losing body fat.
Now most of you probably have the yawns about now and would like me to hurry up and get to the dang coaching tip! And here it is - change your response to stress. The way to do that is to improve the condition of the nervous system by employing stress reduction strategies.
I fully realise I just lost half of you who are thinking, ugh, I take time for myself, I pray, I get a regular massage, etcetera. When I say that we need to employ stress reduction techniques I’m not referring to ANY of those things. I’m referring to a scientifically researched strategy called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. It’s a form of meditation that is just one of the many powerful tools we can use to reduce our cortisol production. There's nothing woo-woo or religious about it. It's very much about learning how to spend some time in the present moment without judgment and without resentment.
There are a LOAD of great resources to help you get the gist of mindfulness (and i'll pop a link to one of them below - no affiliation at all, it's just good). But one important thing i want to point out is that this strategy will only cost you 10 minutes a day.
10 minutes.
We can all manage that no matter how busy we are.
Whether part of a limited time group or continuing month-to-month coaching, our coaching clients have great things to say about their coaching experiences!
After a year of committed keto, I needed a personalized plan to improve progress and healing. I hired a coach to help fine-tune my methods and immediately regretted waiting so long to hire one. Thanks to the coaching expertise of Elaina Wang, I am no longer stalled and have the confidence to properly fast which has improved healing for a couple of health issues.
After doing a lot of research I decided to try Keto, honestly just to see if it would work for me. Like so many others, I've tried everything out there. I was not looking for a diet, but a WOL that is sustainable and would allow me to reach my goals. I didn't know much about Keto, so fumbled in all the FB groups asking tons of questions, until I heard about Ketovangelist coaching and had to reach out. I chose Mary Roberts because I felt a connection with her story and signed up for group coaching. Best move I've made in a long time!!! Mary is an outstanding coach and always there when I need her. I continue to learn and receive support from the group. I can't do it without them and plan to continue until I reach my goal. Join us - you won't be sorry!
I don’t know if I can adequately express how much has shifted for me since working with Keto Coach Michelle Hurn, R.D., L.D! Initially Michelle helped get me on track by clarifying the appropriate amount of food I should be eating (and in what proportions) for my active lifestyle. But the real magic was further along – when Michelle kindly but clearly helped me challenge long held, rigid disordered eating beliefs and behaviors that I didn’t even realize I still had. I am beyond grateful to have separated from old beliefs and behaviors that were holding me back, even when I was compliant on the ketogenic meal plan. I am able to be more emotionally present for myself, my family and my professional life in a way that has brought me tremendous peace of mind. I am enjoying my meals now, but hardly thinking about food at all anymore - and that is a true miracle in my life!
I really like working with Tiffany, because though I have gone off the rails a few times, she has never made me feel bad about doing so. Tiffany asks you the questions that you should answer on why and how did you feel about that. I think having her coach me through some hard things have kept me going and has helped me change my mindset which has been a work in progress!
I had been part of another Keto group which was fine, but I wanted to explore Carnivore living! I’m glad I did and loving it!
My experience with Tiffany has been incredible. I have been a carnivore for over two years and comfortable with the lifestyle.
Tiffany has challenged me to set monthly goals. Tiffany provides a lot of good content that adds and enhances my lifestyle.
I love Tiffany’s, loving and no-nonsense approach.
No matter where you are in your journey Tiffany can help you take it to the next level.