If you have reached a plateau in your weight loss journey,
no matter how much you are exercising or changing your diet, check your hormones
and learn to control and manage your stress. The biggest culprits are cortisol
and unbalanced thyroid hormones.
Thyroid hormones are the masters of our metabolism and cortisol is our primary stress hormone.
Thyroid hormones provide energy, improve thinking abilities, boosts the immune system against infections and cancer, decreases bad cholesterol and lowers blood pressure.
Signs
and symptoms of hypothyroidism (underproductive thyroid):
hair loss,
tiredness/fatigue, hoarse voice, intolerance to cold, weight gain,
constipation, dry skin, headaches, irregular menstrual cycles, and depression.
Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones):
fast heart rate, high blood pressure, shakiness, nervousness, red or bulging
eyes, increased appetite, rapid pulse, and sensitivity of eyes to light.
To regulate your thyroid hormones avoid soy or any soy products. Soy has phytic acid which blocks mineral absorption; minerals such as selenium, zinc, and iodine which are essential for proper thyroid function.
Foods that have lots of these minerals:
- Mixed nuts, especially sunflower seeds and brazil nuts
- Salmon
- Yogurt
- Beef, lamb
Signs of excess cortisol are moodiness, weight gain, decreased libido,
acne, muscle weakness, irregular menstruation, poor sleep, and frequent
infections.
How to lower cortisol levels:
-
No caffeine intake or limit the amount
-
Healthy well balanced diet with lots of veggies
and fruits
-
Drink plenty of water
-
Take B-Vitamins, multivitamin/mineral supplements,
and antioxidant support
-
Have longer and deeper sleeps
-
Exercise regularly
-
Have social connectivity (lack of personal
connection has often been linked to unhappiness and Valliant's study found that
people with close friends and family were the happiest and that those lacking
social connections were the unhappiest)
-
Meditation
-
Music or laughter
