Have you tried strict weight loss diets without lasting results?

A weight loss plan usually involves a combination of diet and exercise. Most people put a lot of effort into restricting their diet, counting calories, cutting down carbs or fats, spending hours in the gym or other physical workouts. But, the majority of people either get limited results or immediately put on weight as soon as they stop the plan, often to a higher level than before they started.

SO, WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE WEIGHT LOSS PLANS AND WHY DO MOST PEOPLE FAIL?

No matter what type of diet you are on or what type of workout plan you are following – a key secret to weight loss is finding the right energy balance and getting quality sleep. Isn’t it simply burning more calories than you consume?  Well yes and no, it’s not that straight-forward.

There are many factors that can affect your energy input (i.e. the calories consumed) and your energy output (i.e. the calories burned). So, what are they?

REASONS THAT YOUR WEIGHT LOSS PLANS ARE NOT WORKING

#1 LACK OF SLEEP

Poor sleep quality or quantity has multiple negative impacts. Firstly it can affect your weight loss plan by reducing your metabolic rate. Not only this, disturbed sleep can even increase your cravings, ultimately impacting your appetite regulation. Sleep is essential for healthy hormone balance, energy levels and mood. It is essential for growth hormone, thyroid hormones, inflammation control and healing. Low mood and anxiety effect self esteem which lead to poorer choices in diet and life in general.  According to research, inadequate sleep is directly related to an increase in weight, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio. It significantly affects your energy which then stops you staying active or motivated to stick to your weight loss plan.

SOLUTION

Regardless of the plan you follow, make it a habit to get a good night’s sleep of at least 7 hours. This will help you in many way as mentioned above and keep you going throughout the day with a better metabolic rate, better mood and more balanced hormone profile assisting greatly in your weight loss.

#2 LOWER METABOLISM

In the battle of weight loss, it is important that you are strong enough internally. A lower metabolism can reduce your ability to push your boundaries towards weight loss. On the other hand, it shouldn’t be a vicious circle that includes restricting calories for a while – getting results initially – followed by increased calorie intake – and gaining the weight back.

This pattern can reduce your metabolic rate and this is one of the most significant hurdles in your weight loss plan.

SOLUTION

Make sustainable lifestyle changes by cutting out things which are harmful to your body and building on positive habits such as enjoyable movement. It could be yoga, walking to the local shops, dancing or seven singing. Stick to your weight loss plan, but also consider what suits your body. Plan regular break from any strict plan to make it more achievable and also to lock in the new set point. Have check-ins with your health coach to maintain motivation.

#3 STRESS

Be it any form, stress can directly affect your plan. When you are under stress, your body releases a hormone cortisol, which redirects the glucose to your muscles. This eventually reduces your glucose level. Eventually, it will increase your appetite while making it easier for your body to store fat, particularly the abdominal fat.

The general tendency is that people binge on the carb-rich foods and sugar when they are stressed. So, when you consume carbs, it gets combined with fats and salt, which activates certain areas of brains. This provides a temporary relief from negative emotions like sadness or anxiety.

SOLUTION

It is true that we cannot eliminate stress from our lives, but how we respond in these situations is definitely within our control. Do not indulge in carb-rich foods and try to spare a few minutes in a day where you can stop doing everything and just breathe. Proper breathing is an excellent way to lower your stress levels, hence whenever you feel stressed, focus on your breathing and become mindful of what you are feeling and needing in that moment. Meditation is an excellent tool to help deal with stress and  remain calm.

Your therapist can teach you some basic breathing techniques that can be done anywhere and support you with tools such as EFT to reduce the intensity of strong emotions. Find the joy in something every day, seek out people who uplift your spirits, or find someone who needs your help and be a source of support to them. This works just as much for you as for them!

#4 HORMONAL IMBALANCE

Everything is interlinked when it comes to body functions. Hormones are the chemical messengers that travel to your tissues or organs through your bloodstream. A number of hormones can affect your ability to lose weight, these include:

• Estrogen (in both females and males)
• Progesterone
• Insulin
• Cortisol
• Leptin
• Testosterone
• Thyroid

So, even if there is a slight imbalance in hormones, you may experience a significant change in your metabolism and your body. This, in turn, facilitates the conversion of what you eat and drink. The disrupted hormones make it easier for you to gain weight while harder to lose it.

SOLUTION

There are many ways through which you can balance your hormones. Eat a hormone-balancing diet with adequate protein and healthy fats, limit or remove alcohol and do some exercise or movement daily. Make sleep quantity and quality a top priority. Visit your Naturopath for specialised tests to determine the underlying causes and to receive personalised herbal medicine support or make specific dietary changes or take vitamin or mineral supplements if required.

#5 INFLAMMATION

Don’t take it lightly, it can be a silent barrier to your weight loss. The increased blood glucose levels due to inflammation can trigger weight gain by storing excess fat in your body. As toxins are stored in your fat cells, liberating them while on a weight loss program can further promote inflammation.

SOLUTION

It is important to treat inflammation with a low inflammatory diet that your Naturopath can specifically design for you while using herbal medicines such as turmeric, ginger or boswellia. To prevent inflammation in the first place, it is recommended to follow a tailored clinical detoxification program to assist you in your weight loss journey. Consult a qualified practitioner for more details.

TO CONCLUDE

While there are many other factors that may contribute to weight-loss resistance, it is good to seek advice from a qualified health practitioner who specialises in weight loss.

With proper personalised care, you will be able to address the specific challenges that you encounter in your weight loss journey.

If you are in search of a practitioner, Malvern Natural Health Care is the great choice. The team of experienced practitioners will formulate a personalised weight loss plan for you making sure that you reach your health goals in the fastest way while remaining safe and sustainable.

We have helped thousands of people with long-standing health issues. Our wide range of natural treatments from qualified and friendly practitioners can help you too.

We provide a comprehensive range of integrative, herbal and  homeopathic medicines, viewing the body holistically to diagnose and treat the functional causes of illness, not just the symptoms.

You can get in touch with us by calling us on (03) 9572 3211 or by filling this short contact form. We are located in Malvern East.