How Naturopathy can help with Weight Loss and Motivation

When you’ve tried diets and exercise and it didn’t work, it might be time to visit a Naturopath!

Naturopaths start by identifying the root cause of weight problems and prescribe a treatment plan based on individual needs. This comprehensive approach is effective as weight gain may signal unresolved issues impacting not only body composition but overall health.

Some studies have shown that up to 95 percent of weight-loss diets fail, and most people regain the weight they had lost within a five-year period. This can be due to a failure to address the patterns and behaviours that caused the weight gain in the first place. Optimising your health and wellbeing is an ongoing way of living, not something that’s done for a few weeks and then stopped. Our naturopaths will work with you to create a plan that involves “real life” recommendations to help you lose weight at a consistent and steady pace. This will also involve giving nutritional recommendations and teaching you the principles of healthy eating so you can develop a healthy relationship with food and a happier, healthier body.

Carrying excess weight impacts both our physical and mental well-being.

Weight loss should be easy but for many people it has become so hard that they feel like giving up.

What factors can contribute to weight gain?

Several factors contribute to weight gain, and managing it involves navigating through a complex web of biochemical reactions tailored to individual body compositions. Achieving a healthy weight extends beyond numerical scales, calorie counting or clothing sizes. It can be more intricate than merely adjusting diet and exercise. Some underlying causes of weight gain include:

• Insulin Resistance:
  Unlocking the secrets of weight loss often involves understanding factors like insulin resistance, where cells don’t respond effectively to insulin, the hormone that manages blood sugar levels. This resistance can lead to elevated glucose levels, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle choices, such as staying active and maintaining a healthy weight, play crucial roles in managing insulin resistance. Minerals such as Chromium are essential to Glucose Tolerance and herbal remedies like Gymnema, Fenugreek and Cinnamon which can be life changing when prescribed individually.
• Thyroid Dysfunction:
• Your thyroid, the metabolism maestro, plays a pivotal role in weight management. Has your doctor told you that your thyroid is normal? In some cases a more in depth study of your blood tests can reveal a sub-clinical underactive thyroid impacting energy levels and making fat burning so much harder than it should be. Natural solutions to a healthy thyroid are the domain of the Naturopath using functional medicines and herbal remedies to restore function naturally. We work together with your doctor where medications are required and ensure safety and compatibility with our treatments.
• Pituitary Gland Disorders:
  The pituitary gland, a tiny powerhouse in your brain, influences various hormones crucial for weight regulation. Disorders affecting this gland can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance, potentially impacting weight. Exploring lifestyle changes and seeking medical guidance are essential steps in addressing pituitary gland disorders for effective weight management.
• Stress:
  The impact of chronic stress on weight loss is undeniable. Stress management techniques, combined with a healthy lifestyle and supportive natural treatments make an enormous impact on your ability to live a happy and healthy life with resulting hormonal and metabolic benefits, not to mention a natural desire for better eating habits and a normalizing of appetite.
• Hyperglycemia or Imbalances in Blood Sugar Levels:
  Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels is a key player in fat burning, muscle health and weight loss. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is often linked to diabetes and can hinder weight loss efforts. A tailored healthy eating plan designed to balance your blood sugar, resistance exercise combined with cardio training and mindful eating can help keep blood sugar levels in check for effective weight management.
• Metabolic Syndrome or Insulin Resistance:
  Metabolic syndrome occurs where a range of factors like insulin resistance, obesity, and high blood pressure occur together. Addressing each component through personalised naturopathic care which can vary greatly for each person and brings us great pleasure.
• Hormonal Imbalances:
  Understanding the impact of hormonal imbalances on weight management is crucial. Factors like pregnancy, perimenopause, chronic stress and insomnia can throw hormones out of whack. Tailoring treatments to address specific hormonal challenges can be a game-changer in your weight loss journey.
• Fatty Liver:
  A healthy liver is vital for effective weight loss. Fatty liver disease can hinder metabolism and contribute to weight issues. Incorporating liver-friendly foods and reducing refined sugars go a long way. The right herbal medicines take it to another level.
• Toxicity:
  Detoxifying the body can be the missing link for some people, where diets and exercises have failed. Toxins can be ingested, breathed in, absorbed via the skin or produced within the body. A toxic body will often resist weight loss. A Naturopathic program focusing on gut and liver detox is important. But don’t forget the kidneys as they play an important role in fluid and acid/alkaline balance.
• Inflammation:
  Chronic inflammation is a silent enemy of weight loss. You don’t need to have a condition like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease to have chronic inflammation. Inflammation is a factor in almost all illness and prioritizing an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle together with some very powerful natural anti-inflammatory nutrients can help quell inflammation and support your health and weight loss goals.
• Elevated Cortisol Due to Prolonged Stress:
  Long-term stress can sabotage weight loss by elevating cortisol levels. Implementing stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation and regular exercise, gratitude and focusing on developing healthy relationships or healing past trauma can greatly help manage cortisol levels and promote a more conducive environment for weight loss.
• Anxiety:
  Weight loss is not just about the body; it’s also about the mind. Managing anxiety with the support of a trained caring practitioner who understands your unique needs and takes the time to listen and create a safe space sets the stage for successful weight loss.
• Low Motivation, Low mood and Depression:
  When we feel Joy and Happiness we naturally gravitate to a healthy lifestyle. Addressing this important mental health component is often an unexpected side effect of seeing results.
• Appetite Regulation:
  A healthy diet should be enjoyable and satisfying, A trained practitioner can help you by focusing on foods that you love while eliminating only the worst foods. Focusing on better sleep and energy goes a long way to helping to regulate appetite naturally.

Given the complexity of these factors, seeking guidance from a naturopath is advisable to come up with a personalised weight loss plan to help you reach your goals; once having gotten to the source of the problem.