I am a competitive cyclist, have IBS and have been using the zone for a few months, with some mixed results. I am 5, 10" and weigh 143 and am 49yr old female. I cycle about 200mi a week and use the eye method with meals. I take about 12 fish oil capsuls/day (alot I know but supposedly they are an aid for constipation as well as keeping in the zone). According to what I have read on zone web site this level of physical activity will make me produce more cortisol which is bad in terms of taking me out of the insulin zone. Does anybody have any idea on how to train and stay in the zone more effectively? I also use accelerade (fluid replacement drink) while on the bike which is helpful for my energy and glucose but again might compromise me via the zone. Has anyone else dealt with managing their athletic performance and the zone sucessfully? Thanks... BJB

Definitely a topic I'm interested in, since it looks like I am developing Cushings Disease :) You can find some studies on pubmed which indicate that overtraining can lead to chronic elevated cortisol. I'm not into cycling, but I'd imagine 200mi a week takes quite a bit of time? I usually do 45 minutes of cardio a day 5 days a week, pilates 3 days a week, and light weight lifting 3 days a week. I have 24 hour urinary free cortisol tests frequently, and my results have not varied whether or not I exercised that day. And despite my cortisol elevations, my doctors have encouraged me to exercise more. This will help me combat the weight gain and bone loss that come along with my condition. I definitely believe that despite the temporary increase in cortisol, most people are doing their body a lot more good by exercising (which lowers your stress level and has a beneficial effect on cortisol in that respect). Warning signs to watch out for: easy bruising, disturbed sleep, abdominal weight gain, a rounding of the face, fatigue, and mood changes. If you are concerned, I would ask for a 24 hour UFC test. Serum cortisol tells you next to nothing.