Cortisol and fat gain gym stress explained: High cortisol levels from overtraining can hinder fat loss. Aim for a balanced routine with no more than 4 intense workouts per week. Incorporate recovery techniques like foam rolling and 7-9 hours of sleep to keep cortisol in check. Did you know chronic stress can increase abdominal fat by up to 20%? #foamrolling #foamrollertips #myofascialrelease #selfmassage #muscletightness