Are you following the golden rules of mealtimes and avoiding inflammatory foods? However, when you step on the scale in the morning, that annoying number keeps popping up.
Believe me, I understand your frustration! I work with dozens of patients who struggle with what I call “weight loss resistance.”
Warning, this is a term I use to describe the inability to lose weight despite following a healthy diet.
When I say “healthy eating,” I don’t mean typical low-calorie foods like low-fat yogurt, egg whites, and light gelatins. The truth is, these so-called healthy foods could actually be holding you back!
Hidden Causes
So why does “healthy eating” stop you from losing weight? Because food intolerance is often the cause of extra pounds!
A negative reaction to highly reactive foods can trigger inflammation and cause a host of unpleasant symptoms, including stubborn weight gain.
So before you hit the gym, the first step to overcoming weight loss resistance starts with what’s at the end of your fork.
Keep in mind that the body will take longer to heal if your metabolism is extremely “damaged” before it starts. But if you’ve been diligently eating healthy for at least 8 weeks and your weight loss is still slow or non-existent, it’s time to explore what else might be going on.
Thyroid Fatigue
As the main gland of metabolism, the thyroid is the key to burning fat. Even if you don’t have full-blown thyroid disease, a sluggish thyroid can slow your metabolism and prevent weight loss.
Signs and symptoms of low thyroid function include:
- high cholesterol levels
- Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows
- Constipation
- Constant feeling of cold
- reduced sexual desire
- gain weight
Insulin and leptin resistance
Leptin and insulin are crucial hormones for regulating appetite and blood sugar levels.
When you are on a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates, the more insulin and leptin you produce and the less response your cells have.
Over time, these chronically elevated levels of insulin and leptin put you at risk for type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems. They also cause your body to store extra fat and send out the message to curb hunger.
That’s a double whammy for quick fat loss! The good news is that incorporating the right treatment will help restore insulin and leptin sensitivity.
Chronic stress and poor sleep
Long-term stress and lack of sleep can “knock out” hormones like cortisol, making you feel hungrier and signaling your body to “hold on” too fat.
Together, the two can form a vicious cycle: high levels of stress can lead to sleep loss, and going without sleep can increase stress.
Even worse, the consequences add up around your waistline: studies show that people who sleep just 5 hours a night are 50% more likely to be obese than people who sleep a solid 8 hours!
The big advantage is clear: if you want to reduce cravings and burn fat, it is essential to have 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep every night and stay calm.
Toxicity
Every day we are exposed to toxins, in everything from the air we breathe to the food and drinks we consume. If your body is overloaded with toxins, that toxicity can interfere with your hormones, impair fat metabolism and create weight gain.
To give the body the best chance of staying healthy, fighting disease, and defending against aging, detoxification needs to be present.
Unbalanced Gut Microbiome
If your intestinal flora is dominated by unhealthy bacteria or yeast, big problems can occur!
In addition to too many “bad” bacteria in the gut causing you to extract more calories from the food you eat and store them as fat, yeast overgrowth can trigger carbohydrate cravings and lead to weight gain.
Without a doubt, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is critical to lasting weight loss. Eating fermented foods is essential for maintaining the excellent gut health you need.
Epigenetics
When it comes to weight loss, genetics may load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger!
Epigenetics is the major role that daily habits play in how genes are expressed.
When you optimize your habits, you optimize your health! Paying attention to quality sleep, reducing stress, and following a low-sugar, anti-inflammatory diet can go a long way toward staying healthy and fit.
Imbalances of sex hormones
Whether male or female, imbalances in reproductive hormones can wreak havoc on weight and health. The aging process, periods of stress and excessive intake of foods that cause hormonal disturbances can throw your hormones out of balance.
Some clues that hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are not working properly include decreased sex drive, difficulty exercising muscles, depression, and persistent PMS symptoms.
If you are struggling with weight loss resistance, there is hope! With the right information now is the time to become your own personal health detective and say goodbye to weight loss resistance forever…
