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Why You're Not Losing Weight
Why am I not losing weight?!
This is one of the most common questions a lot of my clients have been asking over the years. Typically, my simple answer would be, "You're not hitting your macros, eating what your body needs or moving enough," but what I have come to learn over the years is that just fitness and nutrition isn't enough.
Weight loss is a total mind and body process to achieve a "Sustainable Fit-Life." - results that last a lifetime because you've built the healthy habits to maintain a healthy mind and body.
So, what other factors could affect that needle on the weight scale?
Stress
When you’re depressed, anxious, and in that fight- or- flight mode, cortisol (a hormone that promotes fat storage) levels spike. When you're constantly stressed out and stay in that state, your body continues to store fat and that leads to weight gain. Here are a few routines that have helped me and some of my clients reduce stress:
Move in the MORNING - Just 15 Minutes of Morning movements and workouts releases endorphins earlier in the day helping you feel better to get through the day
Spend time with your hobby or passion- set aside at least 30min-1 hr each week to do what you’re truly passionate about to get your mind off of work
Run a bath- letting your body soak in warm water (add in bath bomb for an even more relaxing experience) helps calm the body and the mind. You can even add in a little gua sha facial in the bath!
Insomnia
Lack of sleep raises the hormone ghrelin (the hormone that says let's eat!) and lowers leptin (the hormone that tells you, "I’m full"). So, you might find yourself eating more than intended the next day. This will lead to unexpected weight gain and lead you to be wondering why the scale isn't moving.
Consider what your nightly routine is and see how you can change it up to help you catch a few more ZzZz's. Perhaps, run a bath to relax a bit, take a moment to meditate, read a chapter in the book that you've been meaning to get to, or set up your bedroom with scents of lavender, rose, and vanilla for tranquil energy. If you haven't already, try supplementing melatonin before sleep. Slowing down the mind will help you relax, get a better night's sleep, and help your mind and body run optimally to start losing weight again.
Gut Health
How is your bowl movement, and how is the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut? Imbalance can cause extra bloating, abdominal pain and weight gain. If you haven't had a bowl movement in awhile, try increasing your water intake and fiber intake- eat your veggies! If you haven't already, add in probiotics to your supplement list to help with any gut imbalances of good and bad bacteria.
Dehydration
Drinking enough water? Dehydration can cause the feeling of hunger leading to a search for some snacks. Also, staying hydrated helps mitochondrial function (mitochondria is responsible for your cells metabolism). A healthy optimal mitochondria helps increase your metabolism!
Shoot for at least 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water. If you're 200 lbs, shoot for 100 ounces of water. I love to use Pure Inventions Coconut Water Infusion drops to add some flavor to my water making it easier and more fun to drink!
Losing weight includes a little more self-care in addition to fitness and nutrition. So, let's start working on de-stressing, sleeping a little better, paying more attention to our gut health, and keeping our bodies hydrated.