Weight Loss Resistance Protocol

Some people cannot lose weight despite eating less and moving more, and blaming them is wrong: hormonal and metabolic factors often get in the way. Thyroid function is one of the first things to check, since low thyroid slows metabolism. Many functional clinicians aim for a TSH well inside the normal range with healthy free T3. Reverse T3 can rise with stress, calorie restriction and inflammation, though how much it matters is debated. High insulin makes stored fat harder to release, so insulin resistance comes first. Leptin, made by fat cells, should signal fullness; with leptin resistance, hunger stays high. Chronic stress and high cortisol favor belly fat and evening eating. Estrogen high relative to progesterone, and low testosterone, change where fat is stored and how much muscle you keep. Years of dieting can lower metabolic rate, and a reverse diet can help restore it. Inflammation, gut problems and some medications add to the picture, and short sleep raises hunger hormones. Test rather than guess, and address the obstacles before adding more diet and exercise. Many people lose weight more easily once thyroid, insulin, sleep and stress are addressed.