Why — even with dieting and exercise — can women have a hard time losing weight?
Weight loss is more than balancing caloric intake. Body chemistry must be in check for the body to efficiently burn fat and release the extra weight.
ROADBLOCK #1: Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for converting glucose (sugars) into energy. When you are lean and muscular, insulin is efficient. If you are overweight, this usually isn’t the case. You will be more sensitive to sugars and carbohydrates. You can look at a banana and gain 3 lbs! That was a joke, but I am sure many of you can relate.
Signs of insulin resistance:
- Excess fat around waist and hips
- Dieting doesn’t work now matter how hard you try
- Lack of energy, especially in the afternoon
- High blood sugar, high cholesterol, and/or high blood pressure
ROADBLOCK #2: Cortisol and Adrenal dysfunction
Stressing about weight loss
Cortisol plays an important role in blood sugar, energy production, a healthy inflammatory response, and the immune system. High cortisol can contribute to excessive abdominal fat. Low cortisol is a result of chronically high stress levels, and can lead to burn out and exhaustion.
Signs of adrenal fatigue:
- Difficulty getting up in the morning
- Continued fatigue not relieved by sleep or rest
- Decreased ability to handle stress
- Symptoms worse when skip meals
- Sleep disturbances and unrestful sleep
ROADBLOCK #3: Hypothyroidism or sub-clinical hypothyroidism
Many women go to the doctor complaining of fatigue, thinking they have symptoms of hypothyroidism. They might get disappointed when their blood work comes back normal, and they still feel exhausted. Many times, women are experiencing sub-clinical hypothyroidism. Their levels are in the normal range, but not optimal, so they are not treated by the physician.
Clinical hypothyroidism is on the rise also in the United States. I believe this is due to prolonged stress levels, a low vegetable diet, and our toxic, chemical laden food supply and environment.
ROADBLOCK #4: Estrogen Loss or Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen loss mostly occurs after menopause. As estrogen production falls, your body turns to secondary production sites, including body fat.
If your body is struggling to maintain its hormonal balance, body fat becomes more valuable.
Although low estrogen is common, excess estrogen is an epidemic.
Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance/Excess:
- Irregular and painful periods
- Extreme bloating and water retention
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- Fibroids
- Mood swings and irritability
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Trouble sleeping, night sweats
- Infertility
If this is you, what is the solution?
I wish the solution was an easy one. Wouldn’t it be great to take one miracle pill a day, eat and drink whatever you want, and you will be good as new? Keep dreaming!
Balancing hormones requires a big shift in lifestyle, and it can’t be fixed overnight.
My top 3 lifestyle changes I recommend for re-balancing hormones:
- Eat a plant and nutrient-rich diet, lots of vegetables and cut back on fruit to 2 servings a day.
- Cut back significantly on starches, sugars, and alcohol to re-balance insulin.
- Exercise! Did you know exercise EATS sugars out of your bloodstream? These excess sugars end up converting to fat storage if you are sedentary.
There are natural products on the market that are lifesavers for getting hormones back in balance, but they aren’t going to create permanent results without committing to these three core lifestyle changes.
Thanks for reading, contact me if you have any questions or would like more information on how I can help restore your hormones and your health.
Cheers!
