Hormones and Weight Loss – What You Need to Know
Are you struggling with weight loss? The answer might be found in your hormones. When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, hormones play a major role in regulating metabolism, hunger and satiety cues, fat storage, muscle building, and more. Understanding the hormones involved in weight loss can help you make lifestyle changes to jumpstart your journey.
Insulin
Insulin is the hormone most closely associated with weight gain or loss. Released from the pancreas, insulin enters the blood stream when sugar is present, and its primary function is to move that sugar into cells where it can be used for energy. When insulin levels are elevated due to eating too much sugar, it can result in excess fat storage. Eating a balanced diet that limits added sugars and refined carbohydrates helps to keep insulin levels low.
Cortisol
Cortisol is another hormone that plays a role in weight management. Often referred to as the stress hormone, it is released by the body during times of emotional or physical stress. Cortisol increases appetite and can cause cravings for high-fat foods which leads to increased fat storage. To help keep cortisol levels low, try incorporating relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation into your daily routine.
Leptin
Leptin is an important hormone when it comes to maintaining a healthy body weight since it helps regulate hunger and satiety signals throughout the day. Low leptin levels cause us to feel hungrier than normal which makes us eat more than we need and leads to weight gain over time. Eating lean proteins throughout the day helps ensure adequate leptin production and prevents overeating at mealtimes.
Conclusion: While losing weight can seem like an uphill battle sometimes, understanding how hormones affect our bodies can help us make better decisions. Such as decisions about what you eat and how you manage your stress levels on a daily basis. This will help you move closer towards your goals of achieving a healthy body weight. By making small adjustments in your diet and lifestyle habits, you can set yourself up for long-term success.
Physiques Gym has a team of coaches, online or in person, who will work with you to create a plan and will hold you accountable. We will help you reach your goals and keep the weight off for good. What are you waiting for? Schedule an assessment to start changing your habits today!
Physiques gym Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach