Beyond Willpower
We often attribute weight gain to factors such as lack of willpower, emotional eating, and addictive tendencies. While those can certainly be part of the equation, there are many other reasons why we might struggle with our relationship with food.
The Hormone Connection
Weight gain could be due to adrenal insufficiency, thyroid dysfunction, insulin resistance, unbalanced hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, plus more. Both Functional medicine and Acupuncture can help these issues and more.
The Toxic Load
Eating processed foods with pesticides, heavy metals, and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) can also contribute to weight gain by interfering with bodily processes.
Environmental pollutants can also play a role. They enter our bodies through the skin and lungs. Women are especially vulnerable because they take in synthetic chemicals through skin creams, makeup, hair products, perfume, and other personal products.
Our bodies often attempt to dilute and neutralize the toxins by holding onto fluid. This causes bloating and puts a strain on the liver. In Chinese medicine, when the liver is out of balance, emotions like anger, depression, frustration and impatience can show up. This, in turn, can trigger emotional eating and sabotage our desire to lose weight. Avoiding toxins is therefore an essential part of the weight loss process.
Stress & Cravings
Stress can wreak havoc on our hormones and set us up for cravings and overeating. Stress is not only caused by negative emotions and challenging circumstances. Eating excess sugar, skipping meals, eating the wrong foods, or living with chronic pain can also elicit stress in our bodies. Stress can disrupt the adrenals and the thyroid, making us prone to weight gain. With a balanced, multi-faceted approach, weight loss can be achieved and maintained.
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