Why Your Body Could Be Resisting Weight Loss

Learn about the weight “set point” theory, hunger hormones, and holistic strategies for sustainable weight loss beyond dieting.

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How many times have you found yourself shedding pounds only to regain the weight despite your best efforts? The endless cycle of losing and regaining can feel like an exercise in futility.

But what if your body has a predetermined “set point” for weight governed by an innate drive for homeostasis?

The theory suggests that our bodies are hardwired to resist significant deviations from a specific range of weight or fat mass, with compensatory mechanisms working tirelessly to maintain this equilibrium.

Delving into the weight set-point concept could unveil the complexities behind sustainable weight management and offer insights into the uphill battles faced by those striving for lasting change.

The Starvation Mode Trap

According to the set-point theory, when the body doesn’t receive sufficient nutrients, it activates mechanisms to conserve energy. This “starvation mode” slows metabolism, increases hunger, and compels overeating.

While calorie reduction may lead to temporary weight loss, prolonged undereating can cause metabolic slowdown as the body strives to conserve energy.

The Minnesota Starvation Experiment, a pioneering study on the effects of food deprivation on the body, demonstrated the severe physical and psychological consequences of inducing starvation mode.

Despite initial weight loss, participants’ metabolic rates plummeted, and they regained weight—predominantly as fat—upon resuming normal eating because of their sluggish metabolisms. Many also developed obsessive thoughts about food, mood swings, and an intense fixation on eating.

The Hidden Culprits Behind Weight Struggles

Louise Digby, a nutritional therapist, advocated for a nuanced approach emphasizing nourishment over deprivation, as well as gentle dietary and exercise adjustments. Extreme calorie restriction or intense workouts can backfire, triggering stress responses that undermine weight loss efforts, she told The Epoch Times.

The effect of cortisol and stress on weight gain, especially during midlife, challenges the traditional view that excess weight is solely caused by overeating or insufficient exercise.

When the body is deprived of essential nutrients, calories, or carbohydrates, it interprets this as a threat and can enter a state of heightened stress, Ms. Digby noted. Undereating can drive cravings for carbohydrate-dense foods and lead to elevated cortisol levels, disrupting hormones, insulin regulation, and weight management, according to a report published in Brain Research.

Heightened cortisol levels prompt the body to mobilize glucose from muscles for immediate energy, ultimately leading to the accumulation of fat, particularly around the abdomen.

The Biological Saboteurs of Weight Loss

When the body detects a lack of food, the hunger hormones ghrelin and leptin play a crucial role in regulating appetite. Ghrelin, dubbed the “hunger hormone,” increases to stimulate appetite when food is scarce. Leptin, released by fat cells, suppresses appetite and increases satiety.

Hunger acts as a defense mechanism against weight loss, orchestrated by the hypothalamus in the brain, according to Dr. Andrew Jenkinson, a bariatric surgeon and author of “Why We Eat (Too Much).”

Leptin signals the hypothalamus about energy reserves. High leptin levels induce satiety, suppress appetite, and boost metabolism to maintain weight within a designated range, Dr. Jenkinson noted. Conversely, when weight is lost, declining leptin levels trigger increased appetite, diminished satiety, and reduced resting metabolism, effectively stalling further weight loss. Consequently, when food becomes plentiful again after a period of scarcity, weight gain occurs because of the body’s adaptive responses to fluctuating energy reserves, he said.

While this regulatory system may have served an evolutionary purpose in dealing with food scarcity, he pointed out that the weight set point doesn’t necessarily align with modern health ideals.

Environmental cues can influence the brain’s perception of what constitutes an advantageous weight.

For instance, if the brain anticipates potential food scarcity, such as an impending famine, prolonged winter, or the imposition of a low-calorie diet, it may signal the body to accumulate more fat reserves in preparation for perceived shortages or stressors.

This adaptive response underscores the intricate interplay between biological mechanisms and environmental stimuli in shaping weight regulation.

Factors Overlooked in Weight Set-Point Model

The scientific community lacks consensus regarding the existence and mechanisms of the weight set point, according to Nicola Mostert, a registered dietitian and the founder of 4Life Living Dieticians in South Africa.

Prevailing theories often overlook critical factors such as behavior, environment, and social influences, which play pivotal roles in weight regulation, she told The Epoch Times. The set-point theory fails to explain why some people can sustain significant weight loss over the long term while others struggle, she said.

While the concept of a weight set point offers a valuable framework for understanding certain aspects of weight management, it represents just one facet of a multifaceted puzzle. Acknowledging the inherent complexity of our bodies, Ms. Mostert said effective weight management involves navigating myriad interconnected factors beyond a simplistic set-point model.

Ms. Digby echoed this sentiment, noting that people’s propensity to gravitate toward a familiar weight isn’t solely dictated by physiology; it’s heavily influenced by lifestyle choices and habits.

Despite efforts to enact change, we often revert to familiar patterns over time. To break this cycle, she encourages focusing on habit formation when striving for long-term transformation. By conscientiously addressing and reshaping habits, we can mitigate the tendency to return to our weight set point, thereby fostering lasting change, she said.

How to Avoid Starvation Mode and Lose Weight for Good

Ms. Digby advocated for a holistic approach to lasting weight change. This approach involves modifying internal mechanisms such as rebalancing hormones, reducing inflammation, and restoring gut bacteria equilibrium. This can enhance fat metabolism and overcome barriers to sustainable progress.

She emphasized replenishing energy reserves with nutrient-dense whole foods rich in protein, carbs, fiber, and diverse nutrients instead of solely counting calories. This signals adequate nourishment to the body.

Ms. Digby and Ms. Mostert warned that inadequate, poor-quality sleep can stress the body, disrupt hormone balance, and hinder weight-loss efforts due to inflammation. Sleep deprivation leads to high cortisol, leptin resistance, heightened ghrelin levels, increased appetite, and cravings for energy-dense foods, according to Dr. Jenkinson.

Fostering a positive mindset and self-compassion are also crucial for sustainable weight management, as they help people navigate setbacks and stay motivated, Ms. Mostert said.