Thanks to the media and the complexities the human body, your path to optimal wellbeing will often be littered with missteps and misinformation.
And so it’s no surprise that despite their best efforts, some people never achieve the weight, health and energy results they work so hard for in the kitchen and at the gym.
Don’t be a statistic; be honest with yourself and find out which of the following common yet often-overlooked obstacles could be holding you back from the body you deserve:
1. You’re not eating enough
Everyone knows overeating causes weight gain and an avalanche of health issues.
But there are two more lesser-known scenarios that cause your blood sugar to go haywire, and your body to enter survival mode, where it stores more fat than it needs.
And those are:
A) You’re not eating enough, or…
B) You’re eating at the wrong times.
That’s why you should try to eat something small every 3 hours, and stop eating at least 2 hours before bed. Do your best to consume carbohydrates around exercise, pre-workout and post-workout, so you can build muscle and burn fat more effectively.
2. You’re not sleeping right
Sleep is so important, and we all say we know it, yet for the most part we’re not getting enough of it. Our organs, metabolism, inflammation and our hormones are all greatly impacted by how much sleep we get, and the quality of our sleep in general.
Without deep and sufficient sleep, your body can’t effectively repair itself, inflammation levels go up causing water retention, and your brain has less willpower to make healthy choices. If you need to, set yourself up for a good night’s sleep by having a plan, and even setting an alarm on your phone to get yourself ready for bed. Yin-yoga, stretching, deep breathing or a long walk are all great activities to engage in before you go to sleep.
Sleep is often the last piece of the puzzle that bring a healing or weight loss protocol into action. Once your sleep is dialed in, you’ll find your weight loss efforts that much more effective!
3. You’re stressed out
Stress is probably one of the top reasons we get fat or hold on to water weight. When cortisol spikes, all your other hormones are impacted and this can cause serious health issues that need to be addressed gently.
To lose weight, your body needs to be in a state of relaxation, not on high alert. If you’re in a state of anxiety or stress, your body has to focus on survival and beating a perceived threat – not being slim and fit.
Look to adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha and Rhodiola to support cortisol balance and again, get more sleep.
4. You’re eating food that leads to inflammation, water weight and stress
Corn, wheat, soy, dairy, vegetable oils and grain-fed meats all contribute to inflammation and water weight, as well as allergic responses in the body that many people aren’t even aware of.
Skin problems, weight gain, poor mood and low energy can all stem from a diet that isn’t meeting the body’s primary nutrient needs throughout the day.
Try removing these foods and replace them with fresh water, green vegetables, organic-foods and healthy fats like coconut, avocado and hemp instead. This alone can cause a significant drop in body weight over a period of 30 days.
5. You’re working out too much
Exercise is great for you on so many levels, but pushing it too hard, especially if your body is under stress, will not get you the desire result you’re after. Swap out your daily intense workouts for yoga, a brisk forest walk or swimming and try doing a HIIT style workout 2 times a week instead combined with lifting heavy weights.
This can actually improve your metabolism, boost human growth hormone and help your body build muscle while burning fat. Don’t think you have to bust your butt and exhaust yourself in the gym 7 days a week to get results, sometimes taking it easy is all that’s missing.
6. You have a hormone or thyroid imbalance
Get your thyroid tested and check your hormone levels. If you have a thyroid problem, your weight gain could be interlinked. Without the proper assessment of your hormones, you could be causing your body more harm than good with certain protocols or diets.
Sometimes you need to supplement with iodine or work with your physician to get your hormones and thyroid back to optimal function, and that is when you will see the best results. As always, it’s best to look at your diet first and see how you can help re-boot your body back into action with real food. Without real food as a foundation, you’ll continue to hit roadblocks.
7. You’re not drinking enough water
When you don’t drink enough water, your body can hold on to weight, inflammation levels go up, and your brain has less power to make healthy choices and burn fat.
So drink enough water to ward off unhealthy cravings, boost your energy levels so you can actually get yourself to the gym, and make proper choices.
Aim for at least 8-10 cups of fresh water per day or more if you sweat, and you’ll notice your body begins to release excess weight more easily.
8. You’re not informed on what’s really going on
Sometimes we’re so desperate to get our bodies into shape that we’ll try almost anything the media or our friends show us.
But the truth his, fields like wellbeing and weight loss are constantly evolving.
From game-changing studies that redefine what we think we know about our health, to new environmental challenges and food additives that can make what was once healthy, unhealthy; it’s crucial to stay informed so you can gain the most leverage from your efforts.
Knowledge really is power – and in this case, it could save your life!
You’re Invited to Take the 30 Day Real Food Challenge!
Sheleana Aiyana
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