The Secret to Lasting Weight Loss + 4 Tips to Keep It Off For Good!

Now that the New Year is in full swing and it’s almost time for spring and the {dreaded for some} bathing suit season, many well-intentioned dieters-to-be get caught in the same trap of seeking out weight loss solutions that end up doing nothing but leaving them “hangry”, a cross-between hungry and angry.

This is not a good combo, just ask Darren who can attest to this if he gets me during that sweet spot of after a workout and before I’ve had breakfast. It’s not pretty.

One of these strategies is the age-old weight loss solution {insert finger quotes} of counting calories. This is flawed and the reasons are simple:

• There is no consideration given to how stress and the hormones produced from stress control metabolism.
• Calorie restriction causes metabolic stress.
• The quality and nutrients in the food you eat has a significant impact on how hormones regulate metabolism.

In a perfect world, when we got our sweat on from an intense romp on the elliptical, we would burn calories from stored fat in our bellies and bottoms. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Our bodies burn calories from fats, carbohydrates, or proteins and we have no way of knowing which of the three it is whilst kicking our own ass at CrossFit. The worst scenario of these three is burning calories from protein {our lean muscle tissue}.

The body is designed to burn calories from fats, as opposed to carbs and proteins, but most people who struggle with their weight are usually burning more calories from the breakdown of carbs and proteins, not fats. Sure, they’re burning lots of calories, but they’re not burning calories from stored body fat.

Whaddup with ‘dat?

Contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with the amount of calories you eat or burn, and more to do with what regulates your metabolism. More specifically, what hormones regulate your metabolism.

Hormones? Yes, but not the ones that give your 12 year old tween “Bieber Fever”.

The hormones I’m talking about are cortisol, adrenaline, insulin, and glucagon, which are stimulated by stress and diet. Too much stress in your life will cause an over-production of cortisol and adrenaline, which can trigger your body to burn carbs and proteins instead of fats. The same is true about insulin and glucagon. Too many carbs and you produce more insulin, which stores fat, whereas glucagon burns fat and is produced when you eat protein.

Get it? Got it. Good.

So how can you tell if you’re burning carbs instead of fats throughout the day? Answer these questions honestly {this is a judgment-free zone}:

• Do you struggle with cravings?
• Are you irritable if meals are missed or delayed?
• Do you skip meals or only eat one or two meals a day?
• Do you eat lots of refined, processed food and drink?
• Do you have a hard time concentrating and staying focused?
• Do you struggle with midmorning/afternoon slumps?
• Do you have difficulty “staying” asleep?
• Do you have to eat every few hours?

If you answered “yes” to at least three of these questions, chances are your body’s calorie burn is fueled by carbs and protein, rather than fats – the “Perfect Storm” for stalled weight loss. Now what? Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Evaluate your stress levels

If stress is constant, you’re likely producing waaay too much cortisol and adrenaline {our “Fight or Flight” hormones}, which is killing your metabolism.  Try de-stressing via breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.

2. Take an honest look at your diet

Are you skipping meals or eating a lot of processed foods? This causes our blood sugar to have major peaks and crashes, causing more stress, and you guessed it – cortisol and adrenaline to be released.

3. Eat balanced

This means good ratio of carbs to proteins to fats at each meal. This helps to slow the release of insulin {that results from that carb bomb of a breakfast} and stimulate the production of glucagon {your fat burning hormone}.

4. Check your digestion

If you struggle with bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn, or other irritable bowel problems, it’s causing inflammation, which triggers further production of cortisol. It’s best to get to the bottom of this by trying an elimination diet or detox {like The Superwoman Slim Down Real Food Lifestyle Reboot – end shameless plug…no} to uncover any hidden food allergies.

Still not sure where to start?

I’ve got your back (I always do). In my fully-supported program, Lose Weight, Feel Great – 8 Weeks to a New You, you will learn just how to do this, easily, deliciously, and without gimmicks, crazy diets, deprivation, countless hours at the gym, or calorie counting so you can lose those last 10-20 pounds and keep them off, while mastering your hormones and metabolism. Pretty sweet, huh? You’ll also reap these benefits:

• Become the master of your metabolism and never again succumb to the old wives tale that “weight gain is inevitable as we age”.
• Melt belly fat for good.
• Understand the causes of weight gain and what prevents you from losing weight.
• Enjoy going out with your friends and loved ones without stressing over “what am I going to eat?”
• Never. Diet. Again.

You want in? Check it out here. The calorie counting officially ends NOW!

Join me

What other popular tactics have you tried to {unsuccessfully} lose weight? I’d LOVE to hear! Please leave a comment.