Spring is here and shorts and bathing suit weather is just around the corner.  It’s not too late to target those pesky 10-15 pounds but you need to start NOW!  The key to weight loss is identifying your own personal .  You are unique and your metabolism is doing its’ own thing even when we don’t want it to.  There are metabolic processes that slow down your metabolism, there are diet faux paus that slow down your metabolism and then exercise deficits that all contribute.  The key to a successful weight loss program is addressing ALL the areas.

READ ON to learn 5 ways to target your metabolism….

Whether you want to just optimize your health, want to try the prescription medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide or want to wean off of them, we have a weight loss solution for you.

Option 1: Call us for a $49 discovery call

*this amount will be applied to your appointment if you schedule with our providers

Option 2:  You can just jump right in and schedule with one of our providers!  We offer cash pay labs so you don’t have to hassle with your insurance if you desire.  Full weight loss panels can be done less than $200!

  1. Labs. Check for labs that reveal a slower metabolism.
    1. Insulin resistance is at the top of the list and a fasting glucose is just not good enough to uncover this! You need a fasting insulin and hemoglobin A1C at the very least but the test that I use as a true sleuth is the insulin resistance panel that can be done thru Quest/DLO.
    2. Go deeper than just a TSH.  Look at free T4, free T3 and thyroid antibodies.  You want the free T4/T3 in the middle of the reference range.  It is at the bottom your metabolism will be slower.  If you are on medication your dose should be adjusted.  If you are not on medication then look at other culprits that may be dragging the thyroid down.
    3. Stress is a HUGE issue and we just don’t blame this enough for the middle of your waist pooch.  If you are stressed (even if you think you are handling it well), cortisol sends a storage signal to the middle of your waist.  Sleep apnea also raises cortisol and can increase that storage and make weight loss very difficult!
    4. Look at ferritin which is your iron storage tank.  Men need higher levels than women so I aim for 100 for men and 50 for women. My tip:  if you have restless leg then I aim for above 100 in women, too.
    5. Obviously, if you have any chronic disease with inflammation, autoimmune antibodies, etc, your metabolism will be on the back burner because it is trying to help your body heal.
  2. Eating.  Ok. This is such a broad category so let me give you a quick summary. I hear all the time, I don’t eat that bad which unfortunately translated another way means you don’t eat that good either!  When people are constantly on a “diet” or restricting food intake in some way your body gets used to it and slows down the metabolism.  Yikes! The very thing you are trying to avoid!  Here are a few tips to help.
    1. Log your foods. I know, I know the worst thing ever but if you don’t understand your macronutrients (carbs/fats/protein) you will never get the results you want.
    2. Eat enough calories. For weight loss the target is 300-500 calories lower than your basal metabolic rate but not more than that or it can back fire.
    3. Spread your calories out and focus on keeping your carbohydrate count down to less than 30 grams per four hour window for best results (still need good fats/protein in that window, not just carbs)
    4. If you are intermittent fasting then it is even more important that what you are eating is high quality food!
    5. Try Carb Cycling. When you carb cycle you have low carb days of about 15-20% of your total calories (notice %, not grams), follow it with a medium carb day of about 20-25% and then high carb day of 25-30% and then repeat.  When you carb cycle, it revs the engine to start burning fuel and when you drop back down it has no choice but to burn that stubborn fat.
  3. Movement. You cannot sit on your couch and get the best of your weight loss program.  You know this so I don’t need to harp on it.  Take a walk, park farther out from grocery store, take some stairs when available.  Movement doesn’t have to mean a full on exercise class.  With youtube available none of us have an excuse of not doing some home movement!
  4. Supplements. There are a plethora of supplements out there to help with metabolism and muscle preservation.  We currently use a trio of three that are having some great results when used together:
    1. Advanced Fiber: This gem if taken 15 minutes prior to a meal makes you feel full so you don’t eat as much. It comes in pills or powder. In addition, you get one of the best fibers available.
    2. HMB PRO: Maintaining muscle mass is critical because when you start any weight loss program picking off the muscle is so easy and happens first before ever getting to the fat.  You need to protect your muscle from this happening!
    3. Berberine ES: Any little bit of insulin resistance really slows your metabolism so this steps in and tries to wake that system up!
    4. The trio:  order online:  HMB Pro and Berberine ES and you will get 20% off Advanced Fiber Capsules when you enter the discount code WEIGHTLOSS!!  Call us if you would prefer powder and we can honor that discount.
  5. Medications. Yes, the GLP-1 medications are the jackpot for weight loss in most people.  With the recent FDA rulings, manufacturers are all over the place on if we will be able to continue to get these compounded or not.  The latest I have heard is if it is combined with something like a B vitamin, the compounders are going to be continuing to make these medications as there is an appeal out to the FDA to clarify their ruling. Yes, this is different than what we were told literally two weeks ago.  Take home point is if you want to try these medications then now is the time to do it!  Call us as we have a really good supplier that is on the forefront of all the legislation and is currently compounding both.
    1. If you are on these medications and doing great losing all the weight, it is very important that you focus on what you are eating. I am hearing people basically eating nothing healthy because they aren’t full.  Nutrient deficiencies will catch up and this is one of the big reasons people are having issues with these long-term.  Julie, our health coach can do a quick analysis of your diet and guide you in the right direction.
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When you combine all of these together, your weight loss can be done the right way and be sustainable!  Partnering with Julie, our health coach, at least one or two visits can illuminate  where your pitfalls are!

If you want to see if our program works for you call us for a $49 discovery call to see if this is a good fit!

To your health,

 

Laura