Why You’re Struggling To Lose Weight In A Caloric Deficit
Can you relate to… eating less, exercising more, and sticking to your calorie goals—but the scale still won’t budge. Frustrating, right? Well you’re not alone. If you’ve been meticulously counting calories and still not seeing results, it’s time to look beyond the classic “calories in, calories out” equation.
Weight loss isn’t just about how much you eat—it’s about how you fuel your body and process what you eat. And if you’re struggling with certain underlying health issues, your body might be holding onto weight despite your best efforts. Let’s break down four major reasons why you might be struggling to lose weight even in a caloric deficit. ⬇️
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones play a huge role in regulating your metabolism, when they are out of wack, weight loss can feel impossible.
Here are some common hormone disruptions:
Thyroid Dysfunction: Your thyroid is the master regulator of your metabolism. If you have low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), your metabolism slows down, making it harder to burn calories efficiently.
Leptin Resistance: Leptin is the hormone that signals fullness and tells your body to burn fat. But if you’re leptin-resistant, your brain never gets the message, leading to increased hunger and fat storage.
Estrogen Dominance: Too much estrogen (relative to progesterone) can make your body more likely to store fat, particularly in the belly, hips, and thighs.
Focusing on balancing your hormones can help with weight loss and management but in order to do so, it calls for more than just dieting. It is also about managing your stress and cortisol levels, focusing on sleep, and having a supportive supplement routine.
Blood Sugar and Insulin Resistance
When you have insulin resistance, your cells stop responding properly and start storing fat instead of burning it. This causes your blood sugar to be on a constant rollercoaster and your weight loss efforts to be much more difficult..
How do I know I am insulin resistant? Here are some signs to look out for:
Intense sugar cravings
Energy crashes after meals
Stubborn belly fat
High blood pressure or sugar
Brain fog, anxiety, mood swings
Want to focus on improving your insulin resistance? Focus on whole, clean foods, prioritize protein, avoid excess sugar, and add a supportive supplement to your routine!
High Cortisol
High cortisol can also be known as chronic stress. Cortisol is your body’s stress hormone, an excess amount of cortisol can lead to weight gain and stubborn fat (especially around the belly). If you have intense cravings for sugar/carbs, excess fat storage, and poor sleep you may be experiencing high cortisol.
One thing I am a firm believer in when it comes to transforming your health – managing stress is just as important as diet and exercise.
Gut Issues
Ever feel so inflamed? Your gut health impacts everything – from digestion, to mood, to weight loss. If you have underlying gut health issues like leaky gut, food sensitivities, or imbalance of gut bacteria, it can trigger inflammation and make weight loss incredibly difficult. Signs of gut issues can include bloating, fatigue, and skin issues.
Get your gut health in check:
Focus on anti-inflammatory foods
Get in your fiber!
Probiotics, collagen and digestive enzymes
If you’re ready to stop counting calories and not seeing results, I would love to hop on a call with you and get to the ROOT of the problem. Addressing underlying issues are going to help you hit your health goals and allow you to feel well! It’s time to stop obsessing over calorie counts and start focusing on the real reasons you can’t lose weight.