If you feel like you’re carrying enough extra weight to qualify for a Strongman Competition, don’t despair. You may have dieted faithfully, and nothing seemed to budge them. Even though those excess pounds may be stubborn, the problem may be a hormone imbalance. Some imbalances come from medical issues, so get a complete physical first. Treating the issue can take care of the problem. You can realign hormones naturally by eating the right food and exercising.
Most people think of sex hormones when they hear the word.
Hormones are messengers and guide all types of functions. Some of those are sex hormones, but there are so many others that can be out of balance. Insulin is one of the hormones. It tells the cells to open and uptake energy. Another hormonal pair that can affect your weight is the leptin/ghrelin hormones. Leptin makes you feel full, and ghrelin makes you hungry. Lack of sleep can cause an imbalance by increasing ghrelin and reducing leptin production. Cortisol is a stress hormone that prepares your body for fleeing or fighting. Both insulin and cortisol excess can cause weight gain. The weight gain is in a specific area, the belly. Exercise and a healthy diet can help rebalance both.
Thyroid hormones may be causing your body to burn fewer calories.
You often hear people say they have a thyroid problem that slows their metabolism. In many cases, unless they’ve consulted medical experts, it’s not the case. Besides weight gain, other signs of an inactive thyroid include constipation, sensitivity to heat or cold, fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, and an irregular heartbeat. Even if the problem exists, there are still ways to help. Cut out highly processed food and food with added sugar. Learning meditation and other stress relievers can help. So can regular exercise. Always follow your healthcare professional’s advice before starting any fitness program.
Diminishing stress hormones can cause weight gain.
Women go through many hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause. Men also have a similar reduction of testosterone around the same time. Both can cause the accumulation of belly fat. You can even help those imbalances with exercise and diet. Both males and females benefit from increased exercise, particularly strength training, a healthy diet with slightly more protein, stress management, increased sun time or vitamin D, quality sleep, and less alcohol.
- Genetics help determine whether you’ll lose muscle mass faster as you age. You can’t change genetics, but you can slow the loss of muscle mass with strength training.
- Focusing on core training can help prevent belly fat. It can also help maintain posture and reduce the loss of height that comes with aging.
- Exercise can help you sleep. Adequate sleep can reduce your appetite by maintaining your ghrelin and leptin hormone balance. If you constantly snack, eat healthy options like fruits and vegetables.
- Stress can do more than cause weight gain. It can increase blood sugar levels and release stress hormones that change how insulin works. That can cause insulin resistance, which leads to diabetes and weight gain.
For more information, contact us today at VIP Fitness Center