If you’ve ever been in a conversation with someone who’s been thin all their life, you might have heard the phrase, "Just eat less and exercise more." While this advice might work for some, it's oversimplified and can be frustrating—especially when it's coming from someone who’s never struggled with their weight. For those of us who have faced the challenges of weight management, it’s not just about “overeating.” There are so many other factors that play a role in weight gain, and it’s time we talk about them.
1. Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones play a crucial role in regulating weight. Conditions like hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and insulin resistance can make it incredibly difficult to lose weight, no matter how healthy your diet or consistent your exercise routine. These imbalances often require medical intervention or significant lifestyle changes, making weight management far more complex than a simple equation of calories in versus calories out. Hormones
2. Stress and Cortisol
Chronic stress can lead to elevated levels of cortisol, a hormone that encourages the body to store fat, particularly in the abdominal area. This stress-induced weight gain is not about overeating; it’s about your body’s physiological response to stress. Managing stress is a multifaceted challenge that involves more than just diet and exercise—it requires addressing the mental and emotional aspects of your life as well. Stress Management
3. Medications
Many medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and certain types of birth control, can cause significant weight gain. This is often an unavoidable side effect for people who rely on these medications to manage their health. The frustrating part is that the weight gain can occur even if you maintain the same eating habits, leaving many people feeling powerless in their struggle. Restoring Gut Health After Antibiotics: A Comprehensive Guide
4. Sleep Deprivation
Lack of sleep disrupts the balance of hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin, leading to increased appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods. If you’re not getting enough rest, your body is more likely to store fat. Additionally, sleep deprivation slows down your metabolism, making it even harder to shed those extra pounds despite your best efforts. Beauty Rest for Women: Unveiling the Power of Quality Sleep
5. Genetics
Genetics can influence your metabolism, how your body stores fat, and even your appetite. Some people are genetically predisposed to gain weight more easily, regardless of their lifestyle choices. It’s important to recognize that while genetics are not destiny, they do play a significant role in shaping how our bodies respond to different factors like diet and exercise. The Top 10 Benefits of the SHAPE Program
6. Age
As we age, our metabolism naturally slows down, and muscle mass decreases. This makes it harder to maintain a healthy weight, even if your eating and exercise habits remain the same. The natural aging process also brings about hormonal changes, such as a decrease in estrogen or testosterone, which can further complicate weight management. Hormones
7. Emotional Eating
For many people, food is more than just fuel; it’s comfort. Emotional eating is a response to feelings of sadness, stress, or boredom and can lead to weight gain over time, even if you’re not "overeating" in the traditional sense. Breaking the cycle of emotional eating often requires addressing the underlying emotional issues, which can be a long and challenging process. Self-Healing on Your Journey
8. Gut Health
The gut microbiome plays a significant role in weight regulation. An imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to weight gain and make it harder to lose weight, even with a healthy diet. Improving gut health often requires more than just dietary changes; it may involve probiotics, prebiotics, and sometimes even medical treatment to restore balance. Unlocking the Dynamic Relationship Between Estrogen and Gut Health
9. Environmental Toxins
Exposure to certain environmental toxins, like endocrine disruptors found in plastics and some personal care products, can interfere with hormones that regulate weight and metabolism. These toxins can accumulate in the body over time, making it increasingly difficult to lose weight, even when you're doing everything else right.
Conclusion
Weight management is far more complex than simply “eating less and moving more.” For those who have never struggled with weight, it’s easy to offer advice without understanding the full picture. But for those of us who do, it’s essential to recognize and respect the various factors that contribute to weight gain. So, the next time someone tries to simplify your journey, remember—you know your body better than anyone else. And it’s okay to acknowledge that it’s not always easy, but you’re doing your best.
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. What other factors do you think contribute to weight gain that are often overlooked? Let’s continue the conversation and support one another on our individual journeys.
Got stubborn belly fat no diet seems to shed?
I can tell you right now 3 simple reasons why that is:
1. STOP UNDEREATING 🍽️
You know how many women I work with who were massively undereating every day on some "diet" they were following? Nearly everyone. 🤯
The "calories in calories out" mentality that so many of us have adopted over a lifetime of bad dieting advice is just WRONG!
STOP focusing on a calorie deficit and start focusing on the quality of the food you eat!
2. GET MORE SLEEP 💤😴 💤😴
When you're not getting enough quality sleep, your metabolism slows down. It also affects your hormones.
✔️ Ghrelin (hunger hormone) increases when you don't get enough sleep.
✔️ Leptin ("I’m full" hormone so you know when to STOP eating) decreases. This is a recipe for weight gain.
✔️ And a big one, Cortisol, (the fat-storing hormone), will be thrown off by not getting enough sleep.
Hormones don't operate in a vacuum, they are all related, like a symphony. So when one is off, they're all off.
3. BE PATIENT 😌👌😎
This may seem unimportant, but remember, reducing belly fat is a whole journey!
Belly fat is oftentimes the last thing to go. It can be a big source of insecurity for women.
But I will tell you, you are your own worst critic, so be kind to yourself and give yourself some grace. So, be consistent and just start!
Sounds super simple right? (Now that you know!) Fact is, understanding how your body works as you age and with shifts in hormones doesn’t have to be complicated! Once you know the little things that can make the difference in sustainable weight loss the process becomes easy! ✨
That doesn’t mean weight loss isn’t a tough journey but it is my goal to teach you how to make the journey a little simpler so you can make it sustainable!
So if you’re interested in gaining the tools needed to transform your mind and body to experience true food freedom, sustainable weight loss, and learn how to truly love your body again…
YOU + ME = SHAPE ReClaimed. Hey there! I'm a SHAPE practitioner, and I'm all about restoring your health from the inside out. My mission is to help you feel your absolute best by tackling inflammation, strengthening your immune function, detoxifying your body, and shedding toxic weight as a wonderful side effect.
You see, at SHAPE, we firmly believe in the power of food as medicine. I'll be right there with you, guiding you through the process of transforming your relationship with food and embracing a healthier lifestyle. It's the key to unlocking long-term benefits from our program. First, we start by eliminating inflammatory foods during our Cleanse Phase, and then we gradually reintroduce foods to identify what's causing those pesky inflammatory symptoms and weight gain.
I'm here to support you every step of the way on your journey to better health. So, if you're ready to feel revitalized, let's team up and get you started on the path to a healthier, happier you.
Hope to connect with you soon! ❤️
To your thriving health,
Gwen Krehbiel
Certified Natural Health Professional
Certified SHAPE ReClaimed Practitioner
Certified Facial Analysis Practitioner
Certified ZYTO Practitioner
Medical disclaimer: This information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment. Medical conditions require medical care.
Breaks my hear when people judge due to your weight but actually have no clue what's going on inside of you. This is a great article that I'll be sure to share. Thanks for all you do Gwen to help me to heal.