6 Reasons Why “Healthy” Women Can’t Lose Weight
By Orla, July 19, 2013
1. You have an estrogen to progesterone imbalance
Many women have more estrogen than progersterone in their bodies, especially if you exercise daily – you might be using up all your progesterone.
Estrogen can also dominate due to certain things in your environments such as pesticides, car exhaust fumes, meat, soaps and carpet.
Taking supplements can boost your progesterone levels, which can help sort out the hormonal imbalance, making it easier to lose weight.
2. You have high levels of cortisol
Cortisol is our “stress hormone” and high levels of it can hinder weight loss.
Cortisol is associated with increased appetites, cravings for all those naughty, sugary foods, and in turn, weight gain.
So if you’re feeling super stressed, it might be a good idea to fit ten minutes of meditation in every day to stop your cortisol levels building up.
3. You’re not getting enough vitamin D
People often hear that a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to brittle bones, but what they don’t hear is that deficiency in vitamin D has also been linked to weight gain and fatigue.
Your doctor can test you to see if you are low on vitamin D and you can use supplements or up your intake of foods rich in vitamin D to prevent weight gain.
4. You’re eating “healthy, diet products”
Often, diet or low-fat products are not actually healthy or beneficial for you. Low-fat products could be low in fat, but extremely high in sugar or sodium. Don’t let enticing packaging and catchy slogans fool you – no products are healthier than natural, wholesome ingredients.
5. You’re eating too much of the wrong fats
There are certain fats that are good for your heart, but like all “bold” foods – everything in moderation. Don’t go overboard eating fatty foods, and make sure to balance them with healthy greens.
6. You need more sleep
The body needs a decent sleep every night to rest and regenerate. Not getting enough sleep can have a negative effect on your hormones.
The two hormones that are key in the relationship between sleep and weight loss are ghrelin and leptin. Leptin tells us when to stop eating and when you’re sleep deprived, while ghrelin tells you when to eat. This hormonal imbalance can be confusing for the body, making it difficult to shift any unwanted weight.
