The Connection Between Hormones and Weight Gain
Do you find you struggle to lose weight no matter what you do? Do you feel bloated? Exhausted? Foggy headed? Sluggish? Are you exercising but instead of feeling great you’re left feeling depleted? I see this all the time in my clinic. Women who are in their late 30’s or 40’s and feel like all they have to do is smell carbs and they put on weight.
Let me be clear, I’m not talking about wanting to lose weight to fit a certain ideal or unrealistic image of what your body “should” look like, but rather wanting to escape that feeling of being uncomfortable no matter what you do.
If you’re nodding along, it’s quite possible your hormones might be out of whack and be contributing to these issues. Period irregularities and hormonal imbalances can significantly impact weight regulation, making it really challenging to lose weight. Fluctuations in hormones, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, throughout the menstrual cycle can influence metabolism, appetite, and energy expenditure. In conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hormonal imbalances can make weight loss particularly challenging.
Hormones play a crucial role in regulating various bodily processes, including metabolism and weight management. When it comes to weight loss, hormonal imbalances can create challenges. For example, imbalances in insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, can lead to insulin resistance causing the body to store fat rather than utilise it for energy making weight loss more difficult. Hormones such as leptin and ghrelin, which regulate hunger and satiety, can also be disrupted in hormonal imbalances. Leptin, known as the "satiety hormone," signals to the brain when we're full, while ghrelin, known as the "hunger hormone," stimulates appetite. Imbalances in these hormones can lead to increased cravings and overeating, making it harder to maintain weight and eat in a way that is nourishing our bodies.
Irregular periods or anovulation (lack of ovulation) can disrupt the normal hormonal patterns necessary for optimal weight. The intricate interplay between hormones and the menstrual cycle can create hurdles in achieving weight loss, necessitating comprehensive approaches that address hormonal imbalances and promote overall hormonal health.
Then there is our stress hormones. And it’s not just the obvious stress that impacts us. Things like exercise can have an impact on weight loss efforts. When we push our bodies too far with excessive workouts and inadequate rest, it can lead to stress and inflammation. Prolonged or intense exercise sessions can raise our cortisol levels, known as the "stress hormone," which can promote fat storage, particularly around the tummy. Overexercising without allowing sufficient time for recovery can also disrupt hormonal balance, including thyroid function, which plays a vital role in metabolism regulation. In response to excessive physical stress, the body may also conserve energy, making weight loss more challenging. It's important to strike a balance between exercise and rest, allowing the body to recover, repair, and adapt, ultimately supporting sustainable weight loss. Your body can have trouble distinguishing between different types of stress which is why it’s important to really approach exercise in a holistic way. We are not designed to flog our bodies with vigorous exercise daily. This is why when you start Metabolic Balance, a personalised nutrition program created just for you, you won’t be exercising for at least two weeks. We want the body to chill out and calm down.
As you can see, hormones are a big part of your overall health and your weight loss journey. This is why the number one thing I do with my lovely clients who are struggling to maintain a healthy weight is address any underlying hormonal issues and adopt a holistic approach that includes balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, stress management, and adequate sleep to support hormonal balance and facilitate healthy weight loss. Of course this all sounds a lot more easier said than done which is why I do what I do. My role is to help you achieve your health goals and make it a lifelong habit and not another fad.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can lose weight and keep it off I recommend you check out this page . It's quite a comprehensive overview of all things Metabolic Balance®. If you’re interested in reading about one of my clients experience on Metabolic Balance, head here.
And if you have any questions at all, email me at hello@carolynallenhealth.com I love hearing from you. You can also book a FREE discovery call to find out if seeing a naturopath is right for you.