DO YOU HAVE WEIGHT LOSS RESISTANCE?

So if you’ve been following a balanced, healthy diet but, despite good efforts still struggle to lose weight, you may be experiencing weight loss resistance. So why does this happen, and how can you overcome it to reach and maintain your desired weight?

Surprisingly for some of us, changing our eating habits even for the better, isn’t the solution. Some people, despite all their efforts to eat healthily, still face weight management challenges. These may stem from underlying physiological factors that cause the body to hold on to weight. Identifying and addressing these factors is crucial for effective weight loss.

So, what can cause weight loss resistance?

There are several biological causes - the most common include menopause, hypothyroidism, stress, and overactive immune disorders. Here’s a closer look at each:

Our thyroid gland is the body’s metabolism regulator, controlling the speed of how we produce energy.  A leading cause of weight loss resistance, hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces insufficient hormones, slowing metabolism and promoting weight gain. Other symptoms may include sensitivity to cold, low mood, constipation, hair loss and dry skin, but some individuals only experience difficulty losing weight.

Comprehensive thyroid testing can help diagnose and manage the condition. Addressing thyroid dysfunction through targeted nutrition, supplements, and medical intervention can restore metabolic function and facilitate weight loss.

Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, contributing to weight gain and making weight loss more challenging. Many clients inadvertently raise cortisol through excessive exercise, extreme calorie restriction, or prolonged fasting which can disrupt metabolic function and trigger fat storage.

Cortisol plays a role in metabolism, and excess amounts can lead to increased fat cell production. Chronic stress also stimulates cravings for high-sugar, processed foods, leading to emotional eating.

Salivary cortisol testing can help determine stress levels and their impact on weight loss resistance. Fortunately, stress reduction strategies can normalize cortisol levels and support fat loss.

Hormonal changes leading up to, during, and after menopause make weight management more difficult. Low oestrogen levels (or even a dominance of oestrogen to progesterone) contribute to metabolic dysfunction, increasing the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Studies link menopause with abdominal weight gain and increased carbohydrate sensitivity. Studies have found that postmenopausal individuals experienced higher blood sugar spikes after carb-rich meals, raising their risk of weight gain and metabolic diseases.

Working with a functional nutritionist can help you assess hormone levels and develop a tailored diet and lifestyle plan to reduce body fat effectively.

Gut bacteria play so many important roles in your health, such as communicating with your immune system, heart and brain health and producing some vitamins.  Your gut bacteria can also affect how different foods are digested and produce chemicals that help make you feel full.  As a result, they can affect your weight. Recently, research found two species of bacteria, Prevotella and Bacteroides, may be linked to how easily you can lose weight.

Identifying the Root Cause

To overcome weight loss resistance, identifying the underlying cause is essential. A functional medicine approach examines health history, diet, lifestyle, and medical factors. There are tests nutritionists can do such as:

• DUTCH test: Assesses hormone levels

• Thyroid profile: Evaluates six thyroid markers

• Adrenal stress test: Measures cortisol levels throughout the day

• Gut testing: Identifies gut parasites & microbes affecting weight loss

By addressing the root cause, individuals can achieve sustainable weight loss and improved overall health.

Struggling to lose weight is frustrating and I have seen clients who have tried to lose weight and yet the results are not what they deserve, given the effort put in. 

If this sounds like you, I can work with you to help you identify any root causes of your weight challenges.  With weight loss, I can provide you with professional guidance and practical dietary support to help you to a weight you’re happy with and ensure you stay there, long-term.

To find out more, book a complimentary call today. Contact me at: rosiecardoenutrition@gmail.com or 07794 902467.