Trouble Losing Weight? The Most Overlooked Factors Preventing Weight Loss

I hear so many complaints from people that they have trouble losing weight. It may be obvious to some why they are having trouble losing weight. If you load up on junk food, simple carbohydrates, sugar, saturated fat and don’t exercise, diet and exercise are the culprits. However, I see many people who are doing all of the right things and still have trouble losing weight. There are many factors preventing weight loss that are often overlooked.

Sleep

Sleep is essential to repair and restore hormones and health. Getting a deep restful sleep for 6-8 hours can do wonders for your overall health. If you snore, wake up tired, wake up frequently or have restless sleep, this disrupts hormones and you will have trouble losing weight.

There are tracking devices that can give you an indication of your sleep cycles as well as at home sleep studies. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned and are having trouble losing weight despite doing all of the right things, a sleep study by a professional can help you pinpoint the issue. Cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep has been shown to be effective for inducing sleep if sleep apnea is not the cause. Harvard Health references the SHUTi program as “the best-studied program”. SHUTi is designed to actively help retrain your body and mind for great sleep.

Inflammation

Inflammation is the root cause of all chronic illness. If you are having trouble losing weight, inflammation from belly fat and/or some other source is likely to be a factor. The trick is finding the source of inflammation. Food, toxins, infections, stress, hormone imbalances, autoimmune disorders, lack of sleep, and being overweight can cause inflammation. The most common and likely source is food that is artificial and/or genetically modified to withstand high doses of glyphosate. Sensitivities develop to commonly eaten foods and food additives.  

The most inexpensive and effective way to determine foods that cause inflammation is doing an elimination diet. Staying away from the ten most troublesome and irritating foods for 2 weeks, noting the difference you feel and then adding them back in one at a time will give you the answers. I developed the Shake, Bake and Salad Slimdown: TM 14 Days to Flatter Abs and a Slim, Sexy, Supercharged Mind and Body.

This is a structured, online program, whose approach is to uncover food sensitivities, decrease inflammation, balance the immune system, heal the gut and remove toxins. A Facebook support group and website with frequently asked questions, food lists, recipes and recording are available for those who want to participate. This diet can be dramatic and life changing as it can heal many chronic conditions and alleviates many types of symptoms. When all else fails, a thorough work up by a functional medicine doctor can help you determine the source of inflammation.

Toxins

We cannot escape environmental toxins no matter how clean we think we are eating. The air carries lead, the soil is contaminated with heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium. Our water has pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, herbicides and pesticides. Personal care products such as lotions, makeup, shampoo, as well as clothing and furniture contain hundreds of chemicals.  Our food has all of the above. Even if you eat organic, the air, soil and water are contaminated albeit less than if you didn’t eat organic. Toxins get stored in our fat and bone. Block enzymes and cause inflammation, which may be why you are having trouble losing weight.  

The Environmental Working Group is a vital source of information about food and products. They rate food that is heavily contaminated, which they call the “dirty dozen.” These are recommended to buy organic, whereas the “clean 15” don’t need to be organic. They have an app called Skin Deep that can scan and rate personal care products.

Wild caught fish tend to have less contaminants than farmed fish that are fed grains. The Monterey Bay Seafood Watch monitors the fish and also has an app that rates fish for sustainability and contaminants. You can help your body detoxify by using supplements such as N acetyl cysteine, alpha lipoic acid, milk thistle and/or glutathione. I do the Shake, Bake and Salad Slimdown twice a year because it decreases toxins and inflammation. You can add starchy vegetables and gluten free grains that are non GMO if you don’t want to lose weight.

What To Do When You Have Trouble Losing Weight

There are many factors to consider if you are having trouble losing weight. Try these simple things first. Get a good night’s sleep, uncover food sensitivities, decrease your toxic burden by eating organic food, wild caught fish. Choosing products that are natural and chemical free. Detoxing with the Shake, Bake and Salad Slimdown and taking supplements that help you continually remove toxins. If you are still having trouble losing weight, a functional medicine doctor can find other sources of inflammation or hormone imbalances that are preventing you from slimming down.

Dr. Lorraine Maita is a recognized and award-winning holistic, functional, and anti-aging physician and author. She transforms people’s lives by getting to the root cause of illness using the best of science and nature. Her approach is personalized, precision medicine where you are treated as the unique individual you are. If you’re ready to start your journey to a healthier, happier life, apply for a clarity call today!