5 fitness secrets to look lean without spending hours in the gym

Overtraining often raises stress hormones like cortisol, which can lead to stubborn fat storage around the belly. Recovery, through proper sleep, stretching, and mindful rest days, actually accelerates progress. Normally, 7-8 hours of quality sleep improves fat metabolism and preserves muscle mass. In many cases, the difference between a body that looks lean and one that looks tired comes down to recovery, not extra hours in the gym.