A lot of people struggle with excess pounds that they can’t seem to get rid of. Most people understand that eating too much food and consuming foods with added sugar can keep weight on. But many still struggle to shed the excess pounds, even after changing their diet. If you have struggled with this issue, it is important to know that there are other things that may contribute to the weight loss resistance that are unrelated to food.
Hormone imbalances
Hormone imbalances are common. More common than most people realize. We see them regularly in most of our clients here at FDNthrive. But hormone imbalances can wreak havoc on your health. Imbalances can certainly make it more challenging to get rid of those unwanted pounds. They can even cause you to gain more! Balancing and regulating your hormones can help you begin to let go of the extra weight.
Toxins
We face exposure to toxins every day. They are found in the food we eat, and the household cleaning and personal care products we use. And they are also found in the environment, and even other products we use every day such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles. They are seemingly everywhere and can be difficult to avoid.
Many of these toxins impact our hormones and can cause hormonal imbalance. That imbalance can cause you to retain or gain weight. But why does that happen? The body can create fat cells as a form of protection. When toxins are present in the body, it creates fat cells that surround the toxins and draw them away from vital organs.
Lack of sleep
Are you getting enough sleep each night? Recent studies now show that getting too little sleep can keep you from shedding excess weight. Sleep deprivation may also cause you to gain weight. Too little sleep causes changes in the metabolism that can impact your weight. Many find that getting less sleep than they need also leads to cravings for highly processed carbohydrates and sugar.
Nutritional deficiencies
The standard American diet is filled with foods that have been processed in a factory. These foods have had most of the nutrients processed right out of them. At the same time, people aren’t consuming enough whole, fresh, nutrient-rich foods. This leads to chronic nutrient deficiencies. When chronic nutrient deficiencies are present it is not uncommon to experience cravings. The body begins to crave foods that contain nutrients it is deficient in. This can lead to overeating. Deficiencies in certain nutrients may also slow down metabolism. Deficiencies in nutrients such as Vitamin D, Magnesium, and B vitamins.
Thyroid problems
For many who struggle to shed excess pounds, an under-functioning thyroid is to blame. Hypothyroidism is a common culprit in weight loss resistance. An underperforming thyroid can contribute to both insulin and leptin resistance. Leptin is a hormone that is held in the fat tissues. It is responsible for controlling hunger and feeling full after eating. When leptin isn’t being released as it should, it can cause you to have an increase in hunger, even if you just ate. This can certainly complicate efforts to drop extra weight.
Sedentary lifestyle
The body is meant to move. And yet a growing number of people spend far too much time sitting. A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Lack of regular exercise can not only hinder efforts to reduce weight but can increase weight. A sedentary lifestyle is dangerous because it can cancel out other efforts to improve health. Even if you eat healthily and work out 2-3 times a week, sitting too much can wipe out any benefits. It is important to get up and get moving. That is why exercise plays an important role in the protocols we create for clients at FDNthrive.
Chronic inflammation
Most people think of inflammation as a bad thing. But it was designed to help protect the body so that it can heal. For example, after you get a cut, the body becomes inflamed around the area of that cut. The inflammation can help to protect that area while it naturally heals. But when inflammation becomes chronic, it is a sign that there is a deeper issue going on. It is a sign of irritation within the body. Without intervention, that irritation won’t go away. It will continue to get worse until it has been dealt with. We talked about the hormone Leptin earlier. Chronic inflammation increases levels of Leptin in the body, causing changes in hunger, appetite, and the signals to stop eating. Left unchecked, chronic inflammation will make it significantly more difficult to drop extra pounds.
Stress
Stress is the number one contributor to most of the health issues that our clients face. Most people spend their life in a state of chronic stress. This has a huge impact on hormone balance, sleep, digestion, and reproduction. There are several factors that can contribute to weight loss resistance because of stress.
When your body is constantly in a stress response, it can be easy to make poor food choices. Many people grab for foods that will release chemicals in the brain that make them feel good for a short period of time to balance chronic stress. Over time, unmanaged chronic stress can cause dysfunction in the HPA axis. The hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands become overburdened. This impacts the production of vital hormones that help regulate weight. It also has an impact on digestion, which can further complicate weight loss resistance.
What can you do?
Changing diet and exercise alone will likely not be enough to help you break through your weight battle. It is important to make sure you are getting good sleep and managing stress along with eating healthy and exercising regularly. Are you interested in learning more about a more balanced, natural approach to getting well and feeling well? Contact us today!