You’re eating healthy, you work out every day, yet you still don’t seem to lose weight, in fact sometimes it even feels like you might be gaining weight! Does this sound familiar? You are not alone. Many people struggle with weight issues, especially around their waistline.
This can be terribly frustrating, especially when you feel like you’re doing all the “right” things. The good news is that this may not be your fault, believe it or not! The body stores excess fat in the abdomen for many reasons. One reason can be poor blood sugar control; another can be a hormone imbalance. Yet another reason is something causing your metabolism to not function properly… and these are only a few. If any of these reasons are the case, then all the exercise and dieting in the world – is NOT going to change your body composition and get rid of your belly fat.
There are many things that affect metabolism, and unfortunately just counting calories isn’t the only answer in many cases. If your hormones are out of balance, or your adrenal glands are fatigued, or your body can’t absorb the nutrients – you will actually gain weight. This can be because the liver and gut are backed up and you’re eating foods that spike the blood sugar. There are a host of other issues, all of which can and do affect your metabolism.
So, what can you do? There is hope! Many people are finding answers through functional medicine. This comprehensive approach helps patients get to the bottom of what’s causing their condition. Once the underlying causes are determined, your practitioner can recommend safe and effective care that will not only help you control your belly fat and lose weight, but it may also improve your overall health.
If your hormones are imbalanced or your adrenal system is fatigued, you will not be able to achieve the results you are looking for with diet and exercise alone. Functional medicine allows you to partner with your practitioner and learn about your condition so that you are empowered to take charge of your own health for the rest of your life. The goal is not to keep you as a lifelong patient, but rather teach you the skills and the lifestyle changes necessary for you to reclaim your health.
It’s time to get back to the activities you love. Don’t let a hormone imbalance set you on the sidelines…it’s time to take charge of your health and overall wellbeing. Contact a functional medicine doctor today.
-Dr. Ashley Woyak, Forward Natural Medicine