7 Key Factors to Losing Weight

The numbers are not in your favor when it comes to weight loss. The obesity epidemic continues to rise, while weight loss programs are only about five percent effective.

With such grim statistics, what can you do to lose weight?

According to Dr. James LaValle, a healthy metabolism is the key to successful weight loss. The author of Cracking the Metabolic Code, Dr. LaValle believes there are seven key factors when it comes to maintaining a healthy metabolism. These findings come from a program he created that was tested on almost 200,000 people. Once they gained control of their metabolisms, the subjects’ bodies were less prone to metabolic inefficiency, inflammation, and chronic disease.

Stress

Stress is perhaps one of the biggest culprits behind difficulty losing weight. As your stress levels rise, your cortisol goes up as well, which in turn increases blood sugar and insulin resistance. The net result is that your body stores more visceral and internal fat, and has a hard time processing insulin.

Additionally, maintaining high cortisol levels can demineralize your bones. Having high stress levels will also make you more prone to rewarding yourself through food, since stress can lead to cravings.

Low Thyroid Function

When your thyroid is not functioning at optimal levels, you don’t burn fat as easily. If you are having trouble losing weight, have brittle nails, dry hair, constipation, low body temperature, and a “flat” mood, you may be showing signs of low thyroid function. It’s incredibly important to rule this out or identify and treat it, so talk to your physician.

Dr. LaValle adds, “High stress also helps shut the thyroid down,” setting you up for a cycle of continued stress and low thyroid function.

Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is absolutely essential to losing weight. Not only will you wake up full of energy, but it gives your body a chance to refill neurotransmitters, regulate your thyroid, and keep your hormones on track. Disruptive sleep can lead to low melatonin, which in turn disrupts how insulin is released throughout the day. The varying insulin release can alter your stress threshold, making it easier for you to become stressed or remain stressed all day long.

Blood Sugar

“If blood sugar is high, you’ll get fat,” explains Dr. LaValle. Eating right is important to keep your blood sugar levels normal, and your body fueled properly. Dr. LaValle recommends increasing fiber, avoiding food allergens, counting carbs, and eating as cleanly as possible.

Gut Health

Avoiding food allergens like dairy and gluten will help prevent possible inflammation in your stomach, which can put you at risk for autoimmune diseases that can attack the thyroid. Also, drink plenty of fluids to make sure your body is retaining enough water to stay hydrated.

Environmental Intoxication

You are exposed to thousands of chemicals in your environment every day. Some of these toxins can alter thyroid function and your body’s ability to regulate glucose. The more fat you have, the more toxins you are carrying in your body, and the higher your risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

Age

Finally, the last main factor when it comes to losing weight is age. As you continue to age, you may find that weight is easier to add on but more difficult to lose. Create and maintain an exercise routine and diet plan that will help you stay on track, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid any unwanted weight gains.

Sudden lifestyle changes can make it easy to veer off path, but remaining focused will ensure your body does not experience drastic weight gain.

In the accompanying audio segment, Dr. James LaValle, author of Cracking the Metabolic Code, joins Wellness for Life Radio to share how important our metabolism is to weight maintenance and also how to keep it healthy.