Weight loss resistance can be closely linked to feeling unsafe in your nervous system because of the complex interaction between stress, emotions, and biology. When the body perceives threat—whether physical, emotional, or mental—it activates the "fight or flight" response. This is a protective mechanism that prepares the body to handle perceived threats. But when chronic or unresolved, it can have a negative impact on hormones, metabolism and often causes unwanted weight gain, or weight loss resistance.
Excess weight is a symptom not the problem. While many look at weight as the problem, it belongs on the list along any other symptom like high BP, insomnia, headaches, chronic pain etc
Here’s why:
Cortisol and leptin: Chronic stress often leads to elevated cortisol levels, a hormone released by the adrenal glands. High cortisol levels can make it more difficult to lose weight because it promotes fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area. Long-term stress can lead to an imbalance in other hormones like leptin, insulin, and ghrelin, which regulate hunger and fullness. The body can become leptin resistant leading to overeating, poor fullness cues, and difficulty using fat for fuel.
The Body's Perception of Safety: If you don’t feel safe—whether physically, emotionally, or in your environment—the body may hold onto fat as a protective mechanism, meaning weight loss might be resisted because the body thinks it needs fat stores to survive.
Metabolic Function: When under stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, and the parasympathetic nervous system is suppressed, hindering the body’s ability to digest, absorb nutrients, and properly process food, leading to metabolic disruptions.
Emotional Eating: When feeling unsafe or emotionally triggered, many turn to food for comfort, leading to emotional or stress eating. This can sabotage weight loss efforts, as the body may be in a heightened emotional state, making it harder to make good, healthy food choices. It can increase appetite, and cravings for unhealthy processed foods, especially those high in sugar and fat. This all an attempt to regulate the nervous system when other tools aren’t known. The emotions/stress is perceived as the threat, and eating is the go-to method to self-soothe and attempt to bring the nervous system out of survival mode.
In essence, the body needs to feel "safe" to lose excess weight. Weight is only a symptom. Addressing chronic/unresolved stress and creating a sense of safety through various practices can help you break through weight loss barriers.
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