Why am I not losing weight after 40?
I can remember back to my twenties when indulging in a daily muffin and coffee didn't seem to have any impact on my weight. But now I'm in my forties and it's a different story. If I want to stay healthy, I have to watch my diet more carefully and be mindful of the choices I make at every meal - then I get hungry lol. Exercise is on my daily "to-do list" but I never seem to find the energy or time to check it off.It's no secret that healthy eating and exercise are key components of any weight loss plan. But did you know that your gut health is also closely linked to your weight loss journey? It's true: the health of your gut is essential for losing weight, and improving it can make all the difference when it comes to reaching your goals.
Your digestive system, which includes your stomach, intestines, and colon, plays an important role in breaking down food and absorbing essential nutrients. A healthy gut helps you absorb more nutrients from the foods you eat, so you get more out of each meal and snack. It also helps keep unhealthy bacteria at bay, which can lead to bloating and other digestive issues that can sabotage your efforts to lose weight.
In addition to encouraging nutrient absorption, a healthy gut may also have an effect on how quickly or slowly you burn calories. Studies suggest that certain species of beneficial bacteria in the gut help regulate our body's metabolism and energy balance. This means that maintaining a healthy level of these bacteria may help boost your metabolic rate, allowing you to burn more calories throughout the day.
Finally, studies have found a link between poor gut health and leptin resistance—a condition where the hormone leptin (which signals fullness) doesn't work as it should—leading people to overeat despite feeling full. Fixing your gut health could reduce this resistance, helping you stay fuller longer so you don’t feel inclined to reach for unnecessary snacks or treats throughout the day.
The takeaway? Taking care of your gut health is essential if you’re trying to lose weight. Eating a variety of fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains will help feed the good bacteria in your digestive system while promoting regular bowel movements. Fermented foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut are also great sources of probiotics—live microorganisms that help keep bad bacteria in check while supporting a healthy environment for beneficial microbes in the gut. Finally, be sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water throughout the day; dehydration can quickly lead to constipation which can throw off balance in your digestive system and cause discomfort or even illness.