Quite important in bodyfat regulation is hormonal balance. The main main hormones effecting this balance are Cortisol and Leptin.

Cortisol:
Cortisol is a hormone released by the body in times of emotional, physical or mental stress. Cortisol effects by the body by super-charging your cravings for sugary or high fat foods. It is also responsible for the increased storage of bodyfat, especially around the stomach. Your body releases Cortisol to get the energy needed to handle this new stress. So stress tells your brain to eat fast acting energy foods (bad foods!)

Leptin:
Leptin is the hormone your body produces that gives you the feeling of satiatey, or “feeling full”. Cortisol however reduces your bodies release of this hormone, making you eat more.

There are methods to rduce your bodies production of cortisol, and they are relating to lowering the amount of stress you endure. This does not just equate to buying stress ball at work. Physical stress can be reduced by getting more sleep. Over-training (see below) puts the body under alot of stress, releasing alot of cortisol,actually counter-acting weight loss! Eating smaller meals more frequently (see just below) can enduce less stress on your digestive system. Another strategy is eating more water rich alkaline foods, alist of which to have/avoid I found on the internet

Eat Freely:   http://www.natural-weight-loss-myths-revealed.com/alkaline-foods-eat-freely.html

Eat moderately: 

http://www.natural-weight-loss-myths-revealed.com/alkaline-foods-eat-sparingly.html

Eat Sparingly:*  http://www.natural-weight-loss-myths-revealed.com/acid-foods.html

*You may note meats/poultry are stated to eat sparingly, but I tell you to eat lots of protein. Although its not pH balanced, the thermogenic and beneficial properties of protein greatly outweigh this negative. Ofcourse, too much of anything is bad, which is why I have given you a set protein limit in your nutrient requirement (clients). Most peole will find this high anyway, so there is little worry of over-loading.

It has come to my attention that I have not documented the importance of hydration (thank you Claire), so I’ll give you the low down on the clear stuff.

Water balance is important in maintaining our bodies metabolic functions (metabolism), and while it is false that more water boosts our metabolism, it is true that a lack there-of can lower it. So during the day, and especially while exercising we lose water through various fnctions, which I’ve pulled from a water bottling site would you believe:

1500 ml/day excretion by kidneys in the form of urine

500ml/day evaporation and perspiration from the skin

300ml/day from the lungs

200 ml/day from the gastrointestinal tract

So it can be seen on average we lose 2.5 litres of bodily fluid before exercise. So as a general rule I believe it a good idea to cunsume 4 litres of water a day while exercising heavily. A good guide would be while not being as clear as water, our urine should not be yellow. It should be pale. Bare in mind that drinking too much water can lead to digestive problems and strain on the bladder.

Another interesting strategy that you can bring to my attention before a session is as follows: weigh yourself before/after training to measure what weight of liquids you’ve lost during execise (after shower).