Lesson Summary

Welcome to today's discussion on why you may be struggling to lose weight and what metabolic resistance entails. Many individuals find themselves in a situation where despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, they are unable to shed pounds. This phenomenon, known as weight loss resistance or metabolic resistance, is a stress response within the body's metabolism, affecting various systems including hormones, liver, thyroid, adrenals, gut microbiome, glucose and insulin response, and the brain.

• Weight loss resistance is a stress response of the body's metabolism, impacting fat-burning capacity.
• The interplay of multiple systems such as hormones, liver, thyroid, adrenals, and gut microbiome influences metabolism.
• Chronic stress or inflammation can impair these systems and reduce fat-burning capacity.

Several factors contribute to chronic stress and inflammation within the metabolism, hindering weight loss progress:

• Emotional or physical stress like under-eating or over-exercising
• Metabolic or inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune diseases or high toxin levels
• Health issues affecting metabolic organs like hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue
• Inflammatory diets that create internal inflammation

Additionally, habits like chronic undereating or overexercising can put undue stress on the body, impacting metabolism negatively. These practices train the body to function on fewer calories, slowing down metabolism and encouraging muscle loss over fat loss. Over time, such habits can lead to metabolic dysfunction and weight plateauing.

• Chronic stressors can lead to imbalances in cortisol levels.
• Prolonged stress can increase cortisol levels, eventually leading to diminished levels below the optimal range.
• This state, often associated with terms like adrenal fatigue, can affect adrenal, thyroid, and reproductive gland functions.