The Weight-Loss Secrets You’re Overlooking
Okay, you’ve got your calorie counts in check, your macros are aligned like the perfect Instagram post, and you’re hopping between every trendy diet that promises to melt away those extra pounds. Keto? Check. Paleo? You bet. Vegan? Oh yeah, you’ve tried that too. And yet, your scale is just not cooperating. You’re stuck in weight-loss purgatory, and you can’t figure out why. Maybe you’ve been pushing yourself harder than ever, cutting carbs, fasting like a monk, and still—crickets.
Let’s get one thing straight: you might be doing everything “right,” but if you’re missing these 5 things, you’re not getting the results you deserve. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Reason #1: Inflammation is Ruining Your Life (AND Waistline)
You’ve heard of inflammation, right? It’s your body’s natural response to injury or infection. I get it. It’s supposed to be helpful. But when inflammation hangs around longer than it’s supposed to, it turns into a big fat problem—and I’m not just talking about your waistline.
There are two kinds of inflammation:
- Acute Inflammation: You stub your toe, it hurts. Your body does its thing, you move on.
- Chronic (aka Silent) Inflammation: This one doesn’t hurt, but it lurks. It sticks around, causing trouble without you even noticing. It’s like the houseguest who never leaves.
Here’s the clincher: Chronic inflammation is playing dirty. It activates inflammatory pathways in your fat cells and starts storing fat like it’s going out of style (1,2). So, if your weight loss has plateaued, it’s time to look at inflammation as your secret villain.
But wait, there’s more. What causes chronic inflammation, you ask? Well, get comfy, because it’s a laundry list of modern life’s delights:
- Food Sensitivities (You think gluten’s your friend? Think again.)
- Gut Dysbiosis (aka your gut is a hot mess.)
- Environmental Toxins (hello, plastics)
- Sedentary Lifestyle (Netflix, anyone?)
- Diet High in Processed Foods and Sugar (whoops, I might have just described your lunch)
- Lack of Sleep (your cat can”t stop walking on your head all night)
- Excessive Exercise (yep, you can overdo it too)
- Medications (thanks, Big Pharma)
- Chronic Stress (hello, real-life stress monster)
I know, it sounds like a list you’d find on the back of a cereal box—but this stuff? It’s real.
Reason #2: Food Sensitivities are Secretly Messing with Your Weight Loss
Ever feel bloated, puffy, or like your stomach’s staging a rebellion after you eat certain foods? It might be because of a food sensitivity (3).
Food sensitivities are sneaky little devils. You won’t even notice them right away. They can take anywhere from 3 hours to 3 days to make their grand appearance after you’ve eaten the culprit.
When those sensitivities hit, your body releases these troublemakers called cytokines and prostaglandins, causing all sorts of inflammation. And that inflammation? It can show up as IBS, migraines, PCOS, Hashimoto’s, Fibromyalgia… the list goes on.
Here’s the surprise: that inflammation could also make you hold onto extra water weight. You’ll know it when your rings start feeling like they’re about to squeeze the life out of your fingers or you start bloating like you’re 4 months pregnant.
AND you’ve gotta know the difference between a food ALLERGY, an INTOLERANCE, and a SENSITIVITY. They’re not the same, and if you want the full breakdown, I’ve got an in-depth analysis for you right here.
Want to figure out if food sensitivities are messing with your body? The MRT food sensitivity test is the best one on the market and it’s the test that delivers results for all of my clients.
But here’s the catch: if weight loss is your only focus, a food sensitivity test isn’t the magic ticket. It’s not just about the number on the scale. If your body’s dealing with inflammation from reactive foods, it’s using up all its energy to fight that battle instead of burning fat.
Bottom line? Don’t ignore what your body’s trying to tell you. It’s not just about the calories—it’s about how food is making you feel, inside and out. When you address food sensitivities, your weight might just start to drop—no calorie counting required.
Reason #3 You’re Stressed, You’re Sleep-Deprived, and It’s All Going to Sh*t
I get it—life is busy. But here’s the cold, hard truth: stress and lack of sleep are a deadly combo for both your health and your weight (4).
When you’re stressed (even if it’s just the low-grade, constant stress of modern life), your cortisol levels shoot up, and that sets off a cascade of problems. Cortisol messes with your blood sugar, spikes your appetite, and makes you crave junk food like it’s the last snack on earth.
And if you’re sleep-deprived? Well, now your hormones are working overtime against you. Ghrelin (the hormone that tells you you’re hungry) goes up, while leptin (the hormone that tells you to stop eating) goes down. This lovely hormonal imbalance sets you up for cravings, overeating, and weight gain (5).
So, what’s the solution? Get. Some. Sleep. Aim for 7-8 hours, and practice good sleep hygiene.
No blue light from screens an hour before bed can make it harder for your body to produce melatonin, the magic hormone that helps you fall asleep (6).
Forget scrolling through your phone or binge-watching until your eyes glaze over. Instead, create a pre-bedtime ritual that actually helps you chill—a hot bath, some quiet meditation, a little yoga, or a deep conversation with your favorite person.
And here’s the secret sauce for better sleep: make your bedroom pitch black. No nightlight, no glowing screens, and definitely no streetlights sneaking in through your windows. Invest in blackout curtains. Trust me, your brain will thank you.
You’ll be amazed how quickly your body calms down, and your metabolism kicks back into gear.
Reason #4: Your Thyroid is Playing Dirty
If you’ve been eating clean, exercising, and still feeling sluggish or gaining weight, your thyroid might be the silent saboteur.
Hypothyroidism (when your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones) can cause all sorts of problems, including unexplained weight gain, low energy, and feelings of coldness that make you want to stay wrapped in a blanket forever (7).
You might also experience:
- Sky-high cholesterol
- Crushing depression
- Constipation that makes you feel like you’re stuck in slow motion
- Dry, brittle hair, skin, and nails
- Freezing cold all the time
- Fatigue, even after sleeping like a log for 8-10 hours
The most common culprit? Autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Around 90% of hypothyroidism cases in the U.S. are tied to this autoimmune disease.
So, how do you find out if your thyroid’s misbehaving?
Most doctors will only order a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test, and then call it a day, even when your thyroid’s throwing a tantrum. They might even base “normal” on outdated numbers.
For years, a TSH range of 0.45–5.5 mU/L was considered fine, but new research says you’re better off with a TSH under 2.5 mU/L to be truly in the sweet spot (8).
But here’s the thing—TSH isn’t the whole picture. It’s like checking the gas gauge and assuming your car’s engine is running great when, in reality, it’s about to die on you.
To get the real story, you need a FULL thyroid panel, and that means testing for at least:
- Free T3 (triiodothyronine)
- Total T3
- Free T4 (thyroxine)
- Reverse T3
- Thyroglobulin
- TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies)
Finding a doctor who’s on board with this comprehensive approach is key, because Hashimoto’s or thyroid issues often go unnoticed without these tests.
And here’s why you should care: the American Thyroid Association estimates that 20 million people in the U.S. are dealing with thyroid disease—and 60% don’t even know it (9). And ladies, you’re 5 to 8 times more likely to have thyroid issues than men.
Getting the full scoop on your thyroid function is like insurance for your health, ensuring you’re not one of those 60% who has no clue their thyroid is sabotaging their health and keeping them holding onto extra weight.
So go ahead, demand that FULL thyroid panel. Don’t settle for just TSH. Your thyroid will thank you.
Reason #5 The Dieting Mindset Is Killing Your Vibe
Alright, ladies—let’s be real. At some point, you’ve probably been on a diet, right? It’s practically a rite of passage. The constant pressure to diet, obsess over your weight, and worry about how you look—it’s exhausting.
But here’s the thing: following a strict diet long-term? It’s more likely to cause harm than good. Studies show that 1/3 to 2/3 of dieters gain back more weight than they lost (11). And most of those studies don’t even dive into how well people maintain that weight loss in the long run. Spoiler: not great.
When you cut calories, your body’s reaction is to slow down your metabolism to maintain homeostasis (hello, survival mode). And then—surprise!—your hunger signals go into overdrive, triggering cravings. The result? A slower rate of weight loss than you expect, or even weight gain in some cases.
Plus, the stress of dieting? It raises your cortisol levels (12). I’m guessing you remember what cortisol does, right? (Cue flashback to Reason #3.) Spoiler alert: it’s not helping your waistline.
How to Change Your Mindset
Now, let’s talk about mindset. Too many people fall into the “Biggest Loser” trap, thinking they’ve failed if they’re not super strict with their diet, working out like crazy, or losing 2 lbs a week.
But research actually shows the opposite. People with a more flexible approach to eating (that means not dieting and not being restrictive) have lower BMIs, lower calorie intake, more self-compassion, less stress and anxiety, and—wait for it—a healthier relationship with food (13, 14, 15).
So, here’s the thing: when you’re constantly stressed about your weight and looking in the mirror with a negative body image, what do you think happens next?
Negative energy is like a magnet—it draws more of the same. Ever heard the quote, “Worrying is like praying for what you don’t want”? When you put all your focus and energy on avoiding something, that very thing tends to show up in your life.
If you’re constantly running from the fear of that dreaded number on the scale, guess what? You’ll likely manifest the very thing you’re trying to avoid.
The fix? Start thinking of food as your friend (not you’re enemy). Focus on balance, self-compassion, and a flexible eating pattern that lets you enjoy life without guilt. So, how about we stop stressing? Give yourself some grace. Real change starts from within. You’ve got this!
Weight Loss: From Frustration to Freedom
So, there you have it: 5 reasons you’re still stuck on the struggle bus with your weight loss despite doing everything “right.” It’s not about cutting more carbs or running yourself into the ground. The key to sustainable weight loss is listening to your body.
Tackle inflammation, figure out your food sensitivities, manage your stress, get some decent sleep, and fix your thyroid. And above all—change the way you think about food and your body. Your journey is yours, and there’s no room for negativity on this ride.
Now, go out there and own it! 💪💃
Since this post, I’ve shifted my focus to my digestive reset program designed specifically for women who’re ready to get serious about their gut health. The program is reserved for those ready to commit to a custom-built gut overhaul. If that’s you, book your assessment call to get started.
References:
1.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2952901/
2.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14679172/
3.) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104727970300053X
4.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3498460/
5.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC535701/
6.) https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170822103434.htm
7.) Kharrazian, D.“Why do I still have thyroid symptoms when my lab values are normal?” Carlsbad, CA: Elephant press, 2010.
8.) https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/90/9/5483/2838749
9.) https://www.thyroid.org/media-main/press-room/
10.) https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2811g3r3
11.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11430776
12.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10336790
