Why is losing weight so easy for some and a frustrating mystery for others?

The fundamental variables of weight management seem straight forward and logical.  Caloric weight gain happens when a person eats more calories than they expend on a daily basis.  It can also happen as we age.  It’s a well know fact that the metabolism of a 30 and 40 year old does not require as many calories each day as a teen or 20-something.  Then there is exercise.  Increased activity levels of any kind will help to burn those extra unwanted pounds.  For some fortunate people weight loss is simply a matter of pushing back from second helpings, avoiding excess sugar and starch and going back to regular exercise.  Within a few weeks the weight from the holiday treats are shed, clothes fit comfortably, and energy needed for life’s demands is restored.  But for most of us it’s not so simple.

You are Not Alone

Unfortunately, many people are struggling to unlock the key to successful and maintainable weight loss.  Over 30% of the US population is considered obese and more then 50% of Americans are overweight.  When the healthy reduction of food intake and the implementation of a regular exercise regimen fails to produce satisfactory weight loss it is unlikely that this widespread problem’s source is purely caloric in nature.  One common onset is as follows.

Weight Loss Difficulties due to Adrenal Hormone Shift:

Two adrenal hormones impact the body’s metabolic levels and control the system of cellular breakdown and repair.  Chronic stress over time causes a predictable imbalance of these hormone’s functions resulting in the powerful signal to store fat rather then break it down for fuel.  Cortisol, an adrenal hormone that causes the breakdown of tissue, muscle, bone, and blood sugar, causes our bodies to store fat.   DHEA, a counter hormone that repairs and rebuilds healthy tissues, is responsible for increasing lean muscle mass, bone density, immune function and even lowering total and LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol.   DHEA enhances the thyroid’s control of metabolism and decreases body fat.    When any of the adrenal stressors listed below become chronic they can elevate Cortisol secretion, tissue breakdown and fat accumulation and reduce DHEA directed repair and fat burning. This means that, despite efforts to control calories and increase exercise, your body is locked into a hormonal pattern that actively increases the breakdown of lean body mass and the accumulation of body fat. 

Adrenal Stressors

In addition to weight gain, the following symptoms also result from the hormonal shift that locks the body in a breakdown state, often leaving a person depleted of energy to meet the day’s demands.

Successful weight loss plan includes reduction of adrenal stress

Lifestyle Stress: job demands, relationship conflicts, and financial pressures all have powerful effects on our adrenal hormones Cortisol and DHEA.  For many people, the primary road block to good health and effective weight loss is rooted in these issues and should not be ignored.

Diet/Blood Sugar Stress:  Spikes or crashes in blood sugar from high sugar diets, caffeine overuse or skipping of meals signals the body to make more Cortisol and will trigger the hormonal shift that causes fat accumulation.  Proper blood sugar balance requires sufficient protein intake with every meal and snack.  It is important not to go more than 3-4 hours without eating.  An ideal ratio of carbohydrates to proteins is 2:1 for every meal/snack.   

Sleep Stress:  The body’s most productive time to repair tissues, build lean muscle and metabolize fat occurs while we sleep, specifically between 10pm and 2am. Proper repair and fat utilization requires quality sleep.  One signal that you are getting quality sleep is the recollection of dreams.  People who do not recall dreams at least 4 nights per week are not getting quality sleep, even if they do not wake during the night.  Quality sleep is essential for recovery from stress.  People who cannot sleep will not lose weight successfully! If you are not getting quality sleep there may be numerous reasons why and this is the first condition that will be addressed during a consultation with Dr. Mote.

Exercise:  To reduce levels of accumulated stress hormone it is necessary to engage in some exercise activity daily.  It must be sufficiently vigorous to moderately raise the heart rate.  Walking and yard work are excellent examples.  But most of us have the wrong idea about exercise and weight loss.  Raising the heart rate dramatically (more than 70% of maximum) will trigger a stress response in the adrenals and will actually shift a person into fat storage and tissue breakdown.  When weight loss is stubborn, exercise duration (30 min or more) and frequency (6-7 days per week) are far more important than intensity. 

Adherence to these stress reducers is the starting point for those with stubborn weight gain.  For most it is a good idea to get a test.  To assess your body for an imbalance of breakdown and fat storage versus repair, rebuilding and fat burning Cornerstone Health Services utilizes a Functional Adrenal Stress Profile. The test measures levels of Cortisol and DHEA hormones in your body during a 24 hour period.  Based on this test a tailored protocol of diet and nutritional supplementation can be safely and successfully implemented to augment your weight loss efforts.   For some people, the test will indicate underlying health problems that may need further testing or even medical treatment.
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Stress reduction equals success

Once the body has restored the proper balance of breakdown and repair the weight loss is fairly rapid.  Until this is achieved, no amount of exercise and starvation will force the fat off the body.  If you have been fighting the weight for any number of years, you can expect that it will take roughly that many months to get it off.  For example, a person struggling with an added 30 lbs for nearly 5 years will take 5-10 months to safely lose it. 

The added bonus that comes with this approach is the dramatic improvement in overall health and the reduction or outright resolution of other troubling health symptoms. To begin reducing your stress, losing stubborn weight and regaining your health, call Cornerstone Health Services today and schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Christopher Mote.