Why Has Your Weight Loss Stalled?
Fitness Magazine|May - June 2017

You diet hard and hit the gym regularly, yet the scale won’t budge.We explore five hidden reasons for stalled weight loss, and how to get back on track. 

Julia Lamberti-Morreira
Why Has Your Weight Loss Stalled?

1 Low-Carb Dieting & Hormonal Havoc

Research indicates that prolonged low-carbohydrate dieting can cause hormonal disruptions that stall weight loss in some women. This may be due to the fact that very low-carb and low-kilojoule diets can adversely affect the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands (known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis), which interact in a complex way to keep hormones balanced.Kilojoule intake, stress and exercise levels can all affect these glands and a diet too low in kilojoules or carbs can act as a stressor on the axis, causing HPA dysfunction (often referred to as ‘adrenal fatigue’). This, in turn, can lead to fatigue and a weakened immune system.

There is also some evidence that low-carb diets can cause increased production of cortisol (known as the ‘the stress hormone’), which can worsen the problem.

Studies also suggest that very low-carb diets can negatively affect thyroid function in some people. The thyroid gland produces the hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are essential for a number of bodily functions, including weight regulation. However, the T3 hormone is sensitive to carbohydrate and kilojoule intake, and research indicates that when either is too low, T3 drops and reverse T3 (rT3 – a hormone that blocks the action of T3) levels increase. Low T3 and high rT3 levels can then slow your metabolism, leading to symptoms like fatigue and weight gain.

This story is from the May - June 2017 edition of Fitness Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May - June 2017 edition of Fitness Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FITNESS MAGAZINEView All
Stuck For Ideas? Try These... Holiday Cardio Workouts
Fitness Magazine

Stuck For Ideas? Try These... Holiday Cardio Workouts

A few quick and simple high-intensity routines will ensure you sustain your fitness levels, and will also help you keep those holiday calories in check.

time-read
5 mins  |
November - December 2018
Thinking Inside The Box - Next-Level Recovery
Fitness Magazine

Thinking Inside The Box - Next-Level Recovery

Training for and competing in CrossFit competitions places significant physical stress on the body, which is why we need to pay special attention to our recovery demands during these phases in our training.

time-read
3 mins  |
November - December 2018
8 Tips To Healthy Holiday Eating
Fitness Magazine

8 Tips To Healthy Holiday Eating

Holidays Are Meant To Be A Time For Us To Unwind, Relax And Enjoy Life, So It’s Okay To Let Loose And Indulge A Bit. Follow These Tips To Not Get Carried Away.

time-read
2 mins  |
November - December 2018
Reduce Injury Risk
Fitness Magazine

Reduce Injury Risk

Picking up an injury is like getting the flu – it stops us in our tracks and derails our normal routine, both in life and in our training.

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2018
Boost Your Value With Short Courses
Fitness Magazine

Boost Your Value With Short Courses

The health and fitness industry is one of the most dynamic sectors in the world. Exercise science and research into nutrition are constantly uncovering new information.

time-read
3 mins  |
November - December 2018
Amber Blom
Fitness Magazine

Amber Blom

How this Bikini pro is paying it forward by helping fitness entrepreneurs succeed in business

time-read
9 mins  |
May-June 2018
Staying Consistent During Winter
Fitness Magazine

Staying Consistent During Winter

Maintaining consistency with regard to your training routine and diet throughout winter can be challenging, even for the most dedicated athlete.

time-read
2 mins  |
May-June 2018
Danielle Van Heerden
Fitness Magazine

Danielle Van Heerden

Swimming teacher & personal trainer, Pinetown.

time-read
3 mins  |
May-June 2018
5 Tips To Survive The 2018 Open
Fitness Magazine

5 Tips To Survive The 2018 Open

Celestie Engelbrecht gives her 5 top tips to gear up to this year’s Reebok CrossFit Open.

time-read
3 mins  |
March - April 2018
Is It Me... Or My Hormones?
Fitness Magazine

Is It Me... Or My Hormones?

Q How do you know if your hormones are out of balance, and do you have any advice on how to balance hormones through food?

time-read
2 mins  |
July - August 2018