In Part 1, I discussed the struggle with weight loss regarding what we are eating. Part 2 focused on the behavior. In this conclusion on Weight Loss Struggles, I dive into a few of the biochemical and physiological reason weight loss may be a struggle for you.
10) You have food intolerance/allergies/sensitivities. Often times, we associate a food allergy only with the most extreme reaction called anaphylaxis. This is characterized by swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat as well as hives and other symptoms. It is often times fatal and requires a trip to the ER. I used to have this allergic relationship with strawberries and my allergist claims that I walk a fine line between be able to consume them and a trip to the ER. When most docs speak of an allergy to food, this is the kind they are referring to but there are other immune response that aren’t quite as severe but can still wreak havoc with our efforts to lose weight and/or just to feel good. Common allergies such as this are to soy, dairy, and corn. You may have a tickle in your throat after consuming these things or feel some swelling, water retention – basically, inflammation. Celiac disease and/or sensitivity can cause a myriad of symptoms, all of which can impact your efforts toward weight loss. I can help you determine whether a diet devoid in some of these foods may be deterring your weight loss efforts through a one on one consultation.
11) You have uncontrollable cravings for sugar. This is often an underlying imbalance that, for obvious reasons, affects your ability to lose weight. This is not just matter of willpower. Some of us are extremely sensitive to carbohydrates and sugar (which are one in the same). Correcting these imbalances can help you get off the sugar craving roller coaster and balance all your systems out for a much better “reaction” to these foods.
12) You are deficient in vitamins/minerals/antioxidants (micronutrients). There are specific nutrients that are related to underlying symptoms and imbalances. For example, a zinc deficiency may result in your body’s inability to convert thyroid hormone. Without the proper conversion, the thyroid will not function properly and, therefore, weight loss will be difficult. Also, deficient levels of glutathione (an antioxidant) will be correlated to a lot of illness and a weakened ability to fight infections. Vitamin B6 deficiency is connected to sleep and mood issues. All of these examples affect weight loss. I can help you determine your numbers with a simple blood test that tests 30+ micronutrients and gives a wealth of information for a nutrient-specific diet and/or for supplemental nutrition.
Overall, there are many factors that affect our ability to lose weight. Striving to improve all of these should be a long term goal for all of us. Baby steps will lead to overall improved health and well-being and weight loss may be the side effect to these improvements. It’s kind of like the tortoise and the hare fable. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Don’t beat yourself up because you don’t do everything at once. Just try one thing and go from there. We are all a work in progress!