We’ve all had our weight woes. Indeed, you may be on a health-kick journey right now and find yourself struggling to achieve your weight loss goals or expectations. Or you may have struggled with losing weight in the past and be seeking an explanation or tools for moving forward.
Below I have collated a number of reasons, which may help you to understand your weight woes. Some of the explanations may resonate with you, others may not and that’s okay. Just take away those which do.
1. YOU’RE NOT EATING ENOUGH NUTRIENT-DENSE FOODS.
The cells and molecules that comprise our amazingly complex selves derive from the foods we ingest. When we consume a lot of rubbish or “problematic substances”, our body can do little with these and they get stored in the fat. This is the body’s cleverly crafted protective mechanism!
However, when we want to lose weight, the body is equally smart and will resist loosing this storage tissue at the expense of releasing problematic substances back into the blood. You’ve probably heard that we have innate detoxification and waste-disposal pathways. For these to function optimally and to allow your body to drop those extra kilos, you need to consume less problematic substances and support the body’s cells and molecular reactors (e.g. enzymes) with more nutrient-dense real foods.
2. YOU NEED TO SUPPORT YOUR LIVER.
The liver is perhaps the biggest player in managing the body’s detoxification processes. I recall a professor once refer to “the centre of my liver” as opposed to the commonly used reference to the heart. The point here is that the liver is one of the most underrated organs. The liver helps transform problematic substances to versions that are less harmful and can be excreted by the body. You can support your liver by substantially limiting your exposure to alcohol, food additives, caffeine, pesticides, drugs, trans fats, refined sugars, and by consuming more nutrient-dense, whole foods.
3. YOU NEED TO ADDRESS YOUR LIFE’S STRESSORS.
Stress can be one of the greatest deterrents to weight loss. For others, transient stress can lead to weight loss, but this is usually due to dramatically reduced calorie intake. When you’re stressed, your body produces the hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, and stimulates the “fight or flight response.” The body perceives itself in immediate physical danger (even if it’s not!) and requires a quick source of energy. It demands glucose!
Fat on the other hand is a slow form of energy, which is useless to the body when it is stressed. Furthermore, cortisol actually promotes fat storage, especially around the middle. So if you’re struggling to lose weight and stress is a big problem in your life, addressing these stressors may be one of the first steps you need to take.
4. YOU STARVE YOURSELF.
Starving is actually a form of stress! The body perceives itself as in a dangerous situation. As we are geared towards survival, your body will preserve and burn less fat. Starving yourself can also lead to an unhealthy cyclical burden of bingeing and starving.
5. YOU NEED MORE QUALITY SLEEP.
Let’s face it, with great sleep we feel more energetic, more likely to cook and eat well, to get out and exercise, and to reach less often for the sugary biscuit tin to fuel us through the day. Sleep is also essential for your body’s restoration and repair. Remember all those amazing molecules that will help us burn fat and support the detoxification pathways.
6. YOU’RE BUILDING MUSCLE AND LOSING FAT.
When we start to lift more weights, we gain muscle. We are also burning more fat throughout the day to maintain this energy consuming tissue. This is great news! But it doesn’t always show up on the scales. If you are hitting the gym and eating lots of nutrient-dense foods, have patience. Use your clothes or how you feel as a better indicator of your changing body.
7. YOU NEED TO BE MORE PATIENT.
Healthy weight loss takes time. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your milestones. Your body is adapting and developing new habits and a new weight set point.
8. YOU NEED TO EMBRACE YOUR BODY FOR ITS CURRENT BEAUTY.
This statement deserves a point all of its own. Really think about it. Is it your body weight that matters at all? Enjoy the journey of how amazing your body is at fueling you through each stage in life. Notice how it adapts to exercise, nutrition, pregnancy, growth, etc. It truly is marvelous.
