It’s the beginning of the year and many of you have New Year Resolutions to lose weight so you can look and feel great! But how do you stick to your resolution? You need goals and the proper functional medicine guidance to help make it possible. Most of us think that weight loss is the simple equation of limiting the number of calories and increasing the intensity and frequency of exercise and this equals weight loss. If it’s that simple, then why are so many people plateaued at their present weight or in fact gaining weight while eating better than they ever have and exercising more?
There are many factors that may be impacting your weight loss and here is an example of some:
- Not eating enough calories per day? Did you know that if you did not get enough calories per day you could actually gain weight? The body see this as starvation and turns on different glands such as the adrenal glands in the body to increase blood sugar that then that gets turned into fat. Do you know what your calorie intake per day should be? More than filling out an equation that can lead to false information – Testing your Resting Metabolic Rate will determine your actual needed caloric intake needed to achieve weight loss. This is done medically while measuring your exhaled air over a period of time in a specialized machine.
- Is your metabolism on point? Thyroid optimization is essential to weight loss. An underactive thyroid could sabotage your weight loss efforts. Go one step further in assessing thyroid – by testing the active form of thyroid that so often gets missed in annual exams. Most people only get their Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Tested but if further testing is not done then you may be missing the boat.
- Are your hormones balanced? If you are over the age of 35, then there may be a hormonal component affecting your weight loss. Out of balanced hormones will wreak havoc on your weight and yes females need adequate levels of testosterone. Testosterone for both men and women is not only for libido but for weight loss, increasing metabolism, motivation, and stamina.
- Do you know what heart rate to be training in for successful weight loss? This is more than an equation again for your age. Everyone is different and if you are training at too low of a heart rate or too high then weight loss can be very difficult. We see many people who are in the gym 4-5 days a week “killing it” but have plateaued with their weight loss or have actually started gaining weight. Knowing which heart rate parameters to train in is essential for obtaining your goal of weight loss. This can be done through VO2 max testing. This is a specialized in office test that assesses your heart rate and breathing while on a treadmill to determine which heart zones are best for you to train for gaining endurance, strength or weight loss.
Just as you are unique so is your individual health and weight loss. Let us help you with Functional Medicine to determine how you can be successful with your weight loss and be achieve your New Year Resolution.
