Over 40? Here Are 3 Hormones That Are Messing With Your Fat Loss
If you’ve been eating clean and working out and yet you’re still not seeing the results…
It’s probably something else….
Sure, in your 20’s what you’re doing is enough, but when you’re in your 40’s, it’s a whole different level.
That’s because as you age, your hormones start acting up! It’s like they forgot what they’re supposed to do…
And yes, these are the hormones that are making losing fat so much harder!
In fact, hormones are the biggest culprit behind your body’s changes after the age of 40.
Here are the top 3 hormones that are messing with your fat loss goals:
1. Cortisol
Cortisol is a stress hormone.
Women experience a wide variety of stress in middle age. In fact, studies have found that black women in particular bear a heavy stress load.
Now a little stress like the excitement of your child being accepted to college or when you get a raise is okay and temporary.
But when you start stressing about how you’re gonna pay the bills (we’ve all been there), being unemployed or dealing with life changes like starting a business or going through a divorce, it is a completely different thing and can wreak havoc in your body.
When you’re under constant stress, your cortisol level remains high which slows down your metabolism, making it harder for you to burn fat, unlike in your 20s.
It also causes your body to store even more fat around your midsection. Not to mention it causes you to crave sugar!
2. Estrogen
As you age, estrogen levels drop which causes you to crave foods high in carbs. This, of course, leads to fat gain that sits on your midsection.
Estrogen levels that are too high or too low can cause weight gain.
High levels of estrogen in the body can irritate the cells that produce insulin in your body, making you insulin resistant and blood sugar levels rise, leading to weight gain.
While low levels of estrogen can also cause weight gain, which often happens during the menopausal period women go through later in life. The body produces less estrogen so the body starts looking for estrogen elsewhere. One source is fat cells. So what does the body do to put things back in balance? It starts converting all extra energy sources into fat, leading to weight gain, particularly in the lower body.
Combat this by adding lean protein to each meal. Check out the protein supplements I use here. (Tip: Use the code TRUDIE20 to get 20% off)
3. Insulin
Insulin is the hormone that helps carry glucose into your body’s cells so it can be used as energy or stored as energy reserves for later within your fat cells.
When your glucose is regulated and well-balanced, you don’t crave sugar, but as you hit the 40’a club, insulin starts to forget about its job and will have you craving all sorts of foods.
Food like bread, sugar, and pasta cause insulin to be secreted so stay away so you don’t make it worse.
Over-consuming processed foods and fruit, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and snacking on unhealthy foods can lead to insulin resistance, where your cells block insulin, leaving glucose to circulate in your bloodstream, which leads to weight gain, or worse, Type 2 Diabetes.
Overall, to help regulate your hormone levels, make sure you eat the right meals, manage your stress levels through working out or meditation or anything that can help you relax; and make sure you get good, quality sleep every night. Visit your doctor to check if this is something that you’re dealing with.
Want a flat tummy? Check out my FREE cheat sheet for 7 Healthy Food Swaps for a Flatter Tummy.
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