🔬 1. Excessive cardio increases cortisol When you do long, intense cardio (like daily running or spin), your body produces high levels of cortisol, your primary stress hormone. 🧠 Chronically elevated cortisol leads to: • Muscle breakdown • Belly fat storage • Poor sleep • Disrupted hormones (especially progesterone and estrogen) 🔬 2. It can lower muscle mass Cardio burns calories—but it also burns muscle if not paired with strength training and enough protein. 💪 And muscle = metabolism. Losing it = slower metabolism, weaker bones, and more fatigue. 🔬 3. It strains your thyroid & adrenals Overdoing cardio (especially fasted or on low calories) puts stress on your thyroid and adrenal glands—key players in hormonal balance and energy. 🧬 This can lead to: • Sluggish metabolism • Fatigue • Cold hands/feet • Irregular periods or low libido 🔬 4. It doesn’t improve insulin sensitivity like strength training does After 40, we become more insulin resistant. ⚡ Lifting weight...