We all know that watching your diet and hitting the gym are the most important parts of your weight loss journey. But did you know that the hormone levels in your body also play an important role?
Many people get frustrated with little or no weight loss after weeks and months of diets and exercises, this might be due to the hormonal imbalance in your body, especially the level of estrogen in females. Both lower and higher level of estrogen is associated with obesity and overweight.
So, before getting discouraged and completely abandoning your goal of losing weight, read this article to learn more about the correlation between hormonal imbalances and weight gain. We will also discover effective ways, how to reset female hormones to lose weight.
Female Hormone And Weight
The main sex hormones in females are estrogen and progesterone. They are responsible for regulating – body weight, metabolism, hair growth, and bone and muscle development. So, it is quite natural that imbalances in sex hormones can lead to health problems including unexplained weight gain.
High levels of estrogen, are often seen in people with obesity. It is also seen to increase the risks of certain cancers as well. On the other hand, lower levels of estrogen may affect body weight and body fat and also increase the risks of some chronic ailments.
Multiple natural factors can influence the fluctuation in female sex hormones including pregnancy, nursing, and menopause but some lifestyle choices and underlying health conditions like the use of pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol abuse, liver diseases, and stress can also be a reason.
People with high estrogen levels often experience weight gain and fat deposits around the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and back. The symptoms may also include trouble sleeping, low libido, mood swings, and changes in menstrual cycles.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, consult a doctor for further diagnosis. They can help you strategize more personalized ways to tackle your specific condition.
How To Reset Female Hormones For Weight Loss? Possible Ways
It could be disappointing to see no or very little weight loss even after months of eating right and exercising. In that case, the underlying female hormonal imbalance might be the problem. But do not worry, because there are some things you can do to still lose weight. Let’s see what they are.
1. Consult a Healthcare Professional
If you are experiencing unexplained weight loss, that you can’t just shake off from your body, then the first thing to do is to consult your doctor. Examining your condition and medical history, they can order tests to diagnose the specific reasons and may prescribe effective treatments and medications.
2. Stay Hydrated and Avoid Processed Foods
Though hormonal imbalances can make your weight loss process hard, it is best not to lose focus and keep on following a balanced diet that includes plenty of leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Drinking enough water to avoid dehydration is also important because proper hydration can improve the metabolism and support weight loss.
3. Try Stress-Reducing Techniques
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), psychological stress may aggravate natural falls in estrogen during the menstrual cycle, which can lead to several health conditions.
You can try proven techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing techniques, and limiting time spent on social media to manage your stress levels and maintain a relaxed and peaceful mind. Managing stress may help reset your hormone levels.
4. Follow a Healthy Bed Time Routine
Sleeping is one of the most important aspects of keeping a healthy hormonal balance. Maintaining a healthy bedtime routine is important to ensure you are getting enough sleep.
Aim for the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep by making your bedroom dark and cool, avoiding drinking caffeinated beverages before bedtime, limiting screen time before bed, and wearing an ear muff if needed to block external noises.
5. Exercise
Exercise may help maintain healthy levels of estrogen in the body. Increasing physical activity is also essential for weight loss. You can start with light movements such as walking, jogging, stretching, and home workouts and slowly work your way up to more intense workouts.
Overall, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise can help reset female hormone levels in your body and can support your weight loss goals. However, you may have to resort to hormone-regulating medications for intense conditions.
Conclusion
Irregularities in female hormones, especially estrogen may lead to unexplained weight gain. Many reasons including natural life cycle and lifestyle choices can cause hormonal imbalance.
In this article, we have explained some ways that can help you reset the female hormones and support weight loss. These methods include consulting a healthcare professional, eating a balanced diet, managing stress, aiming for the recommended sleep time, and exercising.
