You may feel that you are eating well, but you still gain weight. You may also be a “yo-yo”er who loses 10 lbs in one month, then gains it back two months later.
If a client wants to lose weight, I will ask them, “Where did you gain weight?” The answer can reveal the cause of weight gain. Today, we’ll discuss what this can mean and some of the steps you can take.
Befor we begin, let me clarify that an increase or decrease of a few kilos is not a cause for concern! We all experience it. It can be caused by hydration, or the time of month. It’s about weight gain of 8,9,10+ pounds that you are having trouble losing. You may not feel your best if you’ve gained a lot of weight. Your energy levels and digestion could have also been affected.
Gains All Around
Overeating is usually the cause of weight gain that occurs relatively evenly across the body. You may have gotten into the habit of skimping out on protein, or maybe your cravings are to blame.
Second, I would check your thyroid. Weight gain can be caused by a sluggish or weakened thyroid, especially if you have not made any major changes to your diet.
Belly Fat Loss
Men tend to gain the most weight in this area. You can read this article if you are a male. I would first examine your sugar and simple carbohydrate intake, as well as alcohol. Once those are under control, we will then look at your cortisol level.
Check your cortisol level if you think you are already following these dietary habits. Last week, I talked about how it’s incredibly helpful to test your cortisol level. You can contact me by clicking here for free if you want to test your cortisol levels.
Why does an imbalanced cortisol lead to belly fat? According to studies, imbalanced cortisol is a factor that can cause you to store fat around your organs and in the abdomen region.
What you can do:
Take a moment to assess your stress levels using a stress assessment.
- List of stressors at work and home
- Write down all the things that make you angry and stressed out (unfinished work like an unwritten e-mail, dishes you haven’t done, or a difficult conversation you need to have).
- Come back to the list with fresh eyes in 2-3 days
- What can you do to improve your life?
- You can write down a list of things you want to change.
- Change yourself
- Keep your list visible so you can make sure you actually change it.
Gains in the Hips, Butt & Thigh Area
This one is for you ladies. This is usually estrogen-related. When estrogen is in excess, and not balanced with progesterone it can lead to weight gain around the hips, butt, and thighs.
Excess estrogen can cause endometriosis or fibroids. It may also lead to mood swings, PMS, and severe cramps.
What you can do:
You can book a time with me to discuss how to balance your hormones. In terms of dietary advice, adding 1-2 tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed to your diet can be helpful. You can also increase your intake of cruciferous vegetables and watch your alcohol consumption.
Click here to schedule a free chat to discuss your health. If you found this article useful, share it with your friends and family!
