6 Unlikely Factors Impacting Your Weight
If you are feeling stuck on your weight loss journey, you are not alone! As our world, environment and food sources change with each year that passes, our physical bodies (and mind) can take some serious hits, including our waistlines.
Below are 6 Unlikely Factors That Could Be Impacting Your Weight:
1.) YOU'RE NOT EATING ENOUGH!
In my 16 plus years working as a Nutritionist, I have seen more weight loss plateaus be due to people not consuming enough daily calories as opposed to eating too many calories. In order to properly feed our cells, organs and ignite our metabolism, we need to EAT and eat enough food to keep the engine burning. You could be eating all the right foods, taking the correct supplements and exercising consistently, but if you are not eating enough daily nutrition (and healthy calories), then you more than likely can encounter a major weight loss plateau or even weight gain from not eating enough. Time to mangia!
2.) CHRONIC STRESS.
Stress is inevitable and at different seasons of our lives, so is chronic stress. It is part of life and being human. It is how we work through times of challenges that make all the difference. Gathering a tool box of your go to resources to help during times of stress to help with the severity and frequency of stress can make ALL the difference in your overall health and especially your weight. When we are in a place of chronic stress, our body goes through the infamous “fight or flight response” which signals priority mode in our body. The priority for the body in this fight or flight mode is SURVIVAL. Therefore, the energy of the body is being taken up to help you “fight or flight,” for immunity, strength, heightened senses, etc. The body does not care to use up its precious energy on your metabolism when it is in a fight or flight/chronic stress mode. Since stress is inevitable, developing tools, resources and support to help you more easily get through these times is essential for leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle and will also greatly help to keep your weight in check throughout the many seasons of life.
3.) EXERCISE BALANCE.
An uptick in leading a more sedentary lifestyle during and post covid these last few years has really impacted our daily movement and steps. More people are working from home than ever before and the lack of daily movement, despite a consistent workout schedule, can really impact our weight. Aim on 10,000 steps a day *in addition to* your weekly 4-6 actual workouts. We need to workout on a consistent weekly basis in addition to ensuring we are getting adequate daily steps and movement.
4.) SUBCONCIOUS BLOCKS.
We all have a conscious and SUBconscious mind. In our subconscious mind holds many limiting beliefs that we picked up through the ages of 0-7 years old. Some examples of limiting beliefs or “subconscious blocks” can be:
“I am not good enough.”
“I am not worthy or deserving of.”
“Other people can have _______ but not me.”
“I am the bigger/chubbier, etc. sister.”
Or even on a deeper level, throughout many years of counseling clients, a deep subconscious block for some can be that they endured unfortunate abuse when younger or at an earlier time in their life. Holding on to weight is quite literally a “protection” and “armor” against a potential threat or harm.
Additionally, with weight, there is almost always a “safety” component. In order for the body to let go of any added weight, the body and mind must feel safe enough to actually truly l e t g o. The subconscious blocks to healing and or losing weight may appear far fetch, and although deep and off topic of the typical calories in vs. calories out, hold true for thousands of clients that I have personally worked with and sometimes are the one and only block that needs support and healing to lose and maintain successful weight loss.
5.) NOT EATING ENOUGH PROTEIN.
Consuming high quality protein on a daily basis is absolutely essential to a healthy mind, body and for successful and sustainable weight loss. Quality protein provides the body endless vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and metabolic fuel. If you are spending time and energy in the gym, working out, and not eating enough protein, this could be that one block to break through on your weight loss plateau. As a rough estimate, aim on your body weight in grams of protein per day. Example: a 45-year-old female weighs 135 pounds, she needs to consume around 135g of protein per day.
6.) MEDICATIONS.
This is one that is so overlooked by not only clients, but health care professionals. Medications can be life saving for so many. But many come with a long list of side effects, including weight gain. I highly recommend not only connecting with your doctor to learn more about the medications you are on, but also your local pharmacist as they are experts in the field of medications. The first step is knowing whether or not the medications you are taking are contributing to your weight gain and/or issues with losing weight, and then having the medical advice of possible solutions and alternatives. I always recommend working as a team with your health care professionals – both holistic and medical providers.
I hope this post helps to bring some new insights, peace of mind and clarity moving forward!
Courtney
