Natural Weight Loss - 6 Contributing Factors You Need to Know About Losing Weight

Natural Weight Loss - 6 contributing factors you need to know about losing weight

When you look at the huge number of diets out there (and yes - let's face it, there are a many), how do you know which one will suit you, and which one will work?
It is important to use natural weight loss methods for effective weight loss because the focus is on fat loss, as opposed to weight loss. If we start losing muscle tissue, not only does our metabolism actually slow down, but the chance of rebound weight gain is increased.

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It is good to find a health practitioner who will use natural weight loss methods and know what the contributing factors of your weight gain are. Here are 6 of those contributing factors:

1. Body Composition
Our body composition determines how effectively we function metabolically. The more active tissue we have i.e. muscle, the less likely we are to develop obesity or gain excessive amounts of fat. It also affects our ability to produce and maintain energy. It is really beneficial to have your body composition quickly and accurately measured, and then continue to have it monitored over time. This ensures that your weight loss is watched to see that it is indeed fat loss.

2. Insulin Resistance
Insulin is a hormone released when your blood sugar becomes elevated. Insulin is a bit like the key that unlocks the door to the cell, to let in the sugar/energy. When insulin resistance occurs, the door no longer unlocks for the cell to receive energy efficiently. We essentially end up with a starved cell, and high blood sugar (and Insulin). Consistent intake of food with a high glycaemic index and/or a high glycaemic load, which is what predominates the western diet of processed foods, drinks etc, is the major contributor to insulin resistance.

3. Poor Thyroid Function
Our thyroid gland releases numerous hormones that regulate our rate of metabolism. It controls how quickly we use energy, regulates our body temperature and assists in numerous other processes in the day to day functioning of the body. If your thyroid is sluggish then the rate at which your cells utilise energy will also be slow or sluggish. Any excess energy not consumed by our cells is stored as fat. This is why an under active thyroid often leads to weight gain and obesity.

4. Stress
When frequently involved in stressful situations or when exposed to extreme, longstanding or ongoing stress, your body will use up all of its energy resources and the adrenals become exhausted. This in turn causes fatigue, muscle aches and pains, depression and anxiety - certainly not conducive to a good quality of life or to weight loss!

5. Poor liver function or 'Fatty Liver'.
The liver is probably one of the hardest working organs in the body. Its job is to process everything that we smell, touch, taste, put on our skin/hair - as well as filtering our blood and more! When poor diet, leaky gut and bad gut bacteria are present, the livers workload is effectively doubled. This can lead to what's known as a sluggish liver, poor fat clearance and increased systemic toxicity. A sluggish liver and its more serious counterpart 'fatty liver' can both cause weight gain and you may also begin having difficulty losing the weight gained as well.

6. Acid/Alkaline Balance
The balance of acid and alkalinity in your body is also closely associated with toxicity in the body, and a healthy pH needs to be maintained to ensure optimal health is achieved. Increased acidity leads to increased inflammation in the body, which generally leads to weight gain. Increased acidity also reduces the effectiveness of weight loss strategies.

A good healthcare practitioner will address the causes that are affecting you and you will find that, in no time, not only will you be achieving long term weight loss using natural weight loss methods, but your energy will increase, you will be feeling healthy and have a renewed zest for life.