Weight loss part 1
I’ve been chronically ill since I was 13. A few years ago I decided to start on a wellness journey, but spent years in so much frustration becuase despite working out and eating clean I was gaining more weight than ever before! Despite seeing so many doctors, I could never get a diagnosis because I was “perfectly fine” despite years of pain and extreme stomach symptoms. Earlier this year I saw a functional medicine doctor and everything changed.
🍓 I was finally given a GI mapping test, and showed why most of my bloods were good. I had stomach infection with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and I also tested my cortisol (responsible for fat and weight gain) for the first time and it was double the healthy limit!🥲 I went to a gastroenterologist to treat my Infection, and have been waiting for my endocrinology appointment.
🍓 the gastro told me I need to have at least 1 soft poop a day to help with clearing bacteria and gas overgrowth which made me pick up weight and stay bloated! As someone who only went 2 times a week, miralax is a life saver!
🍓drinking more teas has medicinal benefits and anti inflammatory properties! Your body also likes to stay warm, and can relax the stomach promoting digestion.
🍓 Cutting out all sugars that are not honey or agave, since they cause SO much inflammation and feed the bad bacteria in your gut especially h pylori. As a LITERAL sugar fiend this was sooo hard but now I hardly ever have cravings and it’s life changing
🍓eating more variety - trying to get 20-30 different fruits, vegetables and legumes in every week. I naturally went into a calorie deficit because I was eating more Whole Foods, “no sugar” unprocessed and unrefined foods, also more fiber to keep me fuller longer! This feeds each different type of healthy bacteria in the gut and promotes the growth of new strains.
🍓 walking as my workouts! Heavy and intense exercise actually increases fat and weight gain in someone with high cortisol!! Low intensity, easy workouts like walking actually burn so many calories and lower stress on the body helping you loose weight!
Part 2 coming soon!! Leave your questions below, and my DMs are always open!🤍
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When traditional weight loss methods felt like an uphill battle, I realized my body needed a different approach. It wasn't about pushing harder; it was about understanding and healing from within. This is how my weight loss journey became surprisingly 'passive' once I addressed underlying issues. My first major revelation came from understanding my gut. Discovering an H. pylori infection through a GI-MAP test was a game-changer. This infection wasn't just causing stomach issues; it was fueling inflammation that made my body hold onto weight. Addressing it meant not just medication, but supporting my gut microbiome. That’s where cutting out refined sugars came in. As a former sugar fiend, I learned how processed sugars fed the bad bacteria, contributing to inflammation. Switching to natural options like organic agave felt less like a sacrifice and more like nurturing my gut. Over time, my intense sugar cravings vanished, making healthy eating feel effortless and truly passive. Then there was cortisol. Learning my cortisol levels were double the healthy limit explained why intense workouts often left me more exhausted and even contributed to weight gain. It felt counterintuitive, but swapping high-intensity exercise for gentle movement, like daily walking outdoors, made a profound difference. This wasn't about burning maximum calories; it was about reducing overall stress on my body. Lowering my cortisol allowed my body to feel safe enough to naturally release excess weight. This shift felt incredibly passive because I was working with my body, not forcing it. Eating a wider variety of whole foods, especially those colorful fruits and vegetables, also played a crucial role. Instead of restrictive diets, I focused on nourishing my body with diverse fibers, aiming for 20-30 different plant foods each week. This naturally led to feeling fuller, having more sustained energy, and a gentle calorie deficit without constant tracking. It taught me that when you feed your body what it truly needs, weight loss becomes a natural byproduct of improved health. And let's not forget the power of simple daily habits. My gastroenterologist emphasized the importance of daily, soft bowel movements to help clear bacteria and reduce bloating. For someone who struggled with irregularity, incorporating something as simple as Miralax daily, as advised, made a huge difference. This seemingly small change contributed significantly to reducing internal inflammation and supporting overall gut health, further aiding that passive weight loss. Even simple rituals like sipping from a warm tea mug filled with anti-inflammatory teas became a comforting way to support digestion and relaxation. It truly felt like my body knew how to reach a healthy weight once I gave it the right environment to heal. By addressing root causes like gut imbalances and hormonal stress, weight loss transformed from a constant struggle into a more natural, passive, and sustainable journey.
I had h pylori numerous times it’s just terrible. It comes and goes over the years but my gastro never told me it feeds off sugar. Thank you, I’ll be cutting that out. I knew coffee but not sugar