Ever notice what happens at the beginning of the year? The New Year’s resolution. This is the year you vow to get healthier, to
lose those extra pounds, and to keep them off.
The health clubs are jammed with others making the same resolution. There are lines of people waiting to use the
stepping machines and the exercise bikes.
But, within a few short weeks the crowds disappear and there are no more
lines.
Why does this happen?
You have cut back on the alcohol, are eating salads for lunch, skipping
a meal here and there, and are working out hard at the gym. Yet the pounds are not flying off. This is not uncommon as over 95% of all diets
end in disappointment. However, don’t be
discouraged. If you read on you’ll learn
how you can get lasting results.
We are told the formula is simple – less food plus more
exercise equals less weight. Truth be told, the formula is much more complex. You may be what is termed by leading
nutritionists as “weight loss resistant.”
What does this mean? Put simply
it means having difficulty or an inability to lose weight. There are several factors that contribute to
this and here’s how:
- Chronic stress – raises cortisol which breaks down muscle, puts sugar in the blood stream, and promotes fat storage which increases the likelihood of insulin resistance; and lowers DHEA (an anti-aging, libido stimulating, and fat burning hormone).
- Insulin resistance – blocks the burning of fat, causes fat storage around the abdomen, and causes inflammation.
- Hormone imbalances – imbalances of estrogen and progesterone in women promote fat storing; low DHEA and testosterone in men and women reduce the ability to burn fat and build muscle; high estrogen in men promotes fat storage; and high progesterone in women promotes insulin resistance.
- Hypothyroidism – muscle building is slowed, metabolism is slowed, sex hormones are not produced sufficiently and are out of balance, and general low energy and fatigue.
- Brain chemical imbalance - neurotransmitter imbalances cause cravings and inappropriate eating behaviors.
- Chronic sleep deprivation – increases cortisol, creates sugar cravings, lowers thyroid function, lowers energy, and increases appetite.
- Low Fat Free Mass – a low muscle mass to fat mass ratio keeps metabolism slow (this is often a result from chronic dieting).
- Food allergies – can cause cellular fluid retention or “false fat” and create cravings for these foods.
- Gut dysbiosis and yeast overgrowth – healthy bacteria is an important part of digestion as they consume calories, otherwise an increase of fat storage.
- Toxic burden – disrupts pH balance in gut, blood, and tissues; slows metabolic rate; disrupts absorption of minerals; disrupts hormone receptor sites creating imbalances; and lowers thyroid function (hypothyroidism).
Most programs just measure pounds lost and are successful in
that realm. However, that is only part
of the picture. Soon after the program
is completed the weight begins to come back on.
The reason – the underlying behaviors and lifestyle have not
changed. With the metabolism slowed from
dieting and a return to prior habits, the pounds quickly come back on.
The best program for long term health and vitality will be
one that addresses your individual needs.
Working with a qualified nutrition consultant you can determine your
areas of weight loss resistance and develop a plan to address them. As these areas are brought back into balance
your metabolism will improve, enabling you to lose weight in a healthy manner. It may take some time to get the body back on
track. The body has built-in healing
mechanisms and with proper nutrition and healthy behaviors the body will
heal. As the body heals you will lose
fat and weight.
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