Weight gain at a time when you’re trying to shed pounds is infuriating. It can be all the more disheartening when you’ve been putting in time and effort to exercise and diet, yet continue to yield the opposite results. In this case, it’s not you who is the problem, it might be hormonal imbalance.

Hormones facilitate bodily functions involved in metabolism and reproduction. Hormone imbalance is the effect of having too little or too much of a specific hormone. Hormone imbalance can cause weight gain because the body metabolises food and energy inefficiently. 

Apart from weight gain, hormone imbalance can also manifest as headaches, fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, acne, and mood swings. If you’re experiencing a combination of these symptoms, we encourage you to consult with your healthcare provider.

Once you have your doctor’s diagnosis for your type of hormone imbalance, we recommend that you work with a personal trainer who can help you manage the effects with a customised diet and training plan. Alchemy Personal Training is a private gym in Wilmslow that offers 24/ 7 support when you’re enrolled in their fitness programmes.

As experienced personal trainers, we’ve listed the 5 common hormone imbalances we know can cause weight gain. We’ve also provided ways we can help mitigate this problem to assist you in achieving your body transformation goal.

5 Common Hormone Imbalances that Cause Weight Gain

Insulin

Insulin is a pancreatic hormone activated when we eat. The imbalance thereof affects how our body uses and stores glucose (blood sugar). 

Insulin resistance is when you have high levels of insulin in your bloodstream signalling your body to store fat, usually around the midsection (abdominal area). Hormone imbalance due to the excess of insulin causes weight gain because of the body’s incapacity to break down and convert fat into energy.

Thyroid

Hypothyroidism is a hormone imbalance where your thyroid gland is underperforming. People struggling with hypothyroidism can be committed to eating and exercising, yet still, be prone to weight gain. The low-functioning thyroid slows down your metabolism and may lead to your body absorbing fat faster. 

To help people with hypothyroidism, personal trainers like us at Alchemy create a bespoke training plan that is safe for your joints and matches your fitness level. Here, we’ll be working on increasing your fitness levels to boost your body’s ability to burn fat.

Cortisol

When the body is stressed or senses danger, we produce more cortisol which puts our bodies in survival mode. As a result, the energy needed for digestion takes a step back. Moreover, cortisol reduces impulse control, making you more likely to give in to cravings, in the hopes of relieving stress.

Hiring a personal trainer can help with weight loss and manage stress at the same time. Those in Wilmslow can count on us at Alchemy to guide you with the right combination of exercises and diet based on your initial fitness consultation. 

Testosterone

Both men and women can be affected by low testosterone levels. Bodies, in general, need testosterone to build and maintain muscle mass as much as it keeps skin hydrated and elastic.

Low testosterone is a hormone imbalance that can cause weight gain because it decreases your body’s ability to turn fat into muscle. Moreover, it is needed to activate insulin. Low testosterone can then develop into insulin resistance which contributes to belly fat.

Estrogen

For women, the excess or lack of estrogen is a hormone imbalance that can cause weight gain. The improper ratio of estrogen to progesterone leads to the improper distribution and storage of fat. Affected individuals are more likely to turn calories into fat and retain more fat around the midsection.

As personal trainers, we help women regulate their estrogen levels with proper training and diet. At Alchemy, a private gym in Wilmslow, we recommend strategic rest periods as you switch through varying intensities and types of exercise. We’ll also advise you on what to eat so you can sustain energy while burning more calories before they turn into fat.

The Keys to Achieve Healthy Body Transformation with Hormone Imbalance

The right combination of a balanced diet with proper exercise will help you overcome the effects of hormone imbalance. When you’re able to regulate your hormones better, you increase your chances of losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight.

Balanced Diet

All fitness programmes at Alchemy come with a diet plan that helps you maximise the nourishment you get from food. The best part is that we won’t ask you to give up your cravings or any food you like. We just teach you how to enjoy certain foods in moderation–based on their effects on your body. We will also advise you on the ideal portion sizes for each food group.

With a nutrient-dense and balanced diet, you’ll be able to manage your weight better as you learn to eat less of food that aggravates your hormone imbalance. At Alchemy, we’ll personalise a diet plan based on your body transformation goal, be it to be healthy, fitter, or stronger. 

Proper Exercise

Personal trainers at Alchemy are all experts in making structured training plans, making it possible for anyone to achieve a body transformation in as little as three to six months. The importance of proper exercise also translates to proper form which is crucial in preventing injury.

Personal trainers know how to work around injuries and certain health conditions. Our in-depth knowledge of how the body works allows us to recommend the right combination of exercises for your desired results. We’ll enable you to counter weight gain due to hormonal imbalance by finding ways to improve your metabolic rate and increase calorie burn.

Takeaways on How Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Weight Gain

Hormone imbalance can cause weight gain because it derails or disrupts how your body breaks down and utilises food as energy. Being aware of your type of hormone imbalance enables you to seek proper treatment and management to overcome its effects. 

Personal trainers like us can assist with your weight management and help you achieve the body transformation you’ve always wanted. Here, we help you get the most out of efficient workout sessions and nutrient-dense food. We set you up for success with a personalised training and diet plan based on your current fitness level and health conditions. If you’re residing in Wilmslow, you can count on us at Alchemy to provide actionable steps that can help you overcome weight gain due to hormonal imbalance.