What's Interfering With My Weight Loss?

The majority of my clients state weight loss as one of their main goals during our first consult. I explain that the struggle to lose weight is more than just calories in vs calories out or a fad diet. There are many lifestyle habits that contribute to weight gain. 

If you have read the first two installments in this series (part one + part two), you know that difficulty losing weight is an indication of an underlying issue. Keep reading to learn the most common roadblocks to weight loss that I see with my clients:

1. Sleep issues. And by sleep issues, I mean irregular sleep and poor sleep and not getting enough sleep (enough in my book means 7-8 hours/night depending upon the person). When you are under chronic stress, your body thinks you are starving. In response to this state of flight or fight, your body prompts your adrenals to produce more cortisol. Cortisol causes rapid weight gain, especially around the mid-section. 

2. An unhealthy microbiome. The food you eat can either contribute to the health of your microbiome or destroy it. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is full of highly processed foods and sugar. These foods feed the bad bugs and starve the good ones which leads to leaky gut and metabolic resistance. Studies have shown that the more diversity of plants you consume, the more diverse your gut bugs will be. Higher levels of bacterial diversity in your gut are directly related to lower body weight.

3. Stress. Mental health and mindset shifts play a role in every client protocol I create. Your mental health and your ability to handle stress has been shown to impact several health issues which in turn impact your weight. Did you know stress can actually increase your food cravings and slow down your metabolism? Mindfulness practices like deep breathing, journaling, and meditation can help you begin your healing journey and remember, it’s only a healthy body that can lose weight.

4. Toxins. Toxins are a part of our modern world and they are difficult to avoid. Toxins contribute to many health issues such as autoimmune issues and hormonal problems which play a role in metabolic resistance. Depending upon your job, you might carry a greater toxic burden than average because of exposure to toxins as part of your work. A few of my favorite ways to limit your exposure to toxins: drink filtered water, make the switch to non-toxic cleaning products, choose non-toxic personal care products, and buy organic food.

5. Underlying health disruptors. Adrenal and hormonal issues, gut issues such as SIBO and Candida, mold, and toxins can all be tested for using Functional Medicine labs. Taking the time to finding our your levels and how to address any imbalances or toxicities is a great way to start your healing journey.

Remember that while losing weight may be your goal, weight loss is only one part of the equation. By addressing your root causes, doing the work of rebalancing the body, and making health and wellness your priority, weight loss will follow.

I work with clients to uncover underlying issues and root causes that lead to  weight loss resistance. By finding your root cause and addressing the underlying symptoms, we work together to heal your mind and emotions, heal your gut, rebalance your hormones, and ultimately restore your health and rebalance your body. Want to learn more about your own health? Get in touch to set up your free 15-minute consultation. I offer in-person, phone, and virtual consultations.