5 Hidden Reasons You Can’t Lose Weight (And It’s Not Your Willpower)

You’ve tried everything. Keto, paleo, intermittent fasting, 1200-calorie diets. You lose 5 pounds, then gain back 8. Meanwhile, your husband cuts out beer for a week and drops 10 pounds.

Sound familiar?

Here’s what I want you to know: **You’re not broken. You’re not lazy. And you don’t lack willpower.**

As a functional medicine nurse practitioner who specializes in women’s health, I consistently see that there’s usually something deeper going on. Your body is actually working against you - and it’s not your fault.

Here are the 5 hidden reasons your weight won’t budge, no matter how “good” you’ve been:

## 1. Your Thyroid Is Your Metabolism’s Brake Pedal - And It’s Stuck

Your thyroid controls your metabolic rate. When it’s underactive (even slightly), it’s like driving with the brake pedal pressed down. You can rev the engine all you want (diet and exercise), but you’re not going anywhere fast.

**The problem:** Most doctors only test TSH. But you need a full thyroid panel including T3, T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies.

**What to do:** Ask for comprehensive thyroid testing. Optimal TSH should be between 1-2, not the “normal” range of 0.5-5.

## 2. Insulin Resistance: Your Body’s Fat Storage Mode Is Stuck “ON”

When you eat, your body releases insulin to help sugar get into your cells. But when you’re insulin resistant, that sugar gets stored as fat instead - especially around your midsection.

**The problem:** You can eat perfectly and still gain weight because your body can’t properly use the food you’re eating.

**What to do:** Focus on protein and healthy fats first thing in the morning. Avoid eating carbs alone - always pair them with protein or fat.

## 3. Cortisol Chaos: Your Stress Hormones Are Sabotaging You

Chronic stress (even low-level stress from being busy) keeps cortisol elevated. High cortisol tells your body to store fat around your middle and makes you crave sugar and carbs.

**The problem:** You might not feel “stressed,” but your body is responding to lack of sleep, skipping meals, over-exercising, or just the general chaos of modern life.

**What to do:** Prioritize 7-8 hours of sleep. Try 5 minutes of deep breathing before meals. Consider magnesium supplementation.

## 4. Your Gut Bacteria Are Working Against You

The bacteria in your gut actually influence your cravings and metabolism. When you have too much “bad” bacteria, they literally send signals to your brain to crave sugar and processed foods.

**The problem:** Years of antibiotics, stress, poor diet, or even birth control can disrupt your gut balance.

**What to do:** Add fermented foods like sauerkraut or kefir. Consider a high-quality probiotic. Focus on fiber-rich vegetables to feed the good bacteria.

## 5. You’re Nutrient Deficient (And It’s Blocking Fat Burning)

Your body needs specific vitamins and minerals to burn fat efficiently. If you’re deficient in things like B vitamins, magnesium, or iron, your metabolism literally can’t function properly.

**The problem:** Even if you eat “healthy,” our food isn’t as nutrient-dense as it used to be. Plus, stress depletes nutrients faster.

**What to do:** Get comprehensive nutrient testing. Focus on nutrient-dense foods like organ meats, leafy greens, and high-quality proteins.

## The Real Solution

Here’s the thing: weight loss isn’t about willpower or finding the perfect diet. It’s about finding out what’s actually happening in YOUR body and addressing the root cause.

In my practice, I see that every woman has a unique combination of these factors. Some have thyroid issues, others have gut problems, and many have a combination of several issues.

**That’s why cookie-cutter diets don’t work.**

## What’s Next?

If you’re reading this thinking “This is me!” - you’re not alone. And more importantly, these issues are all fixable.

In my practice, I use comprehensive lab testing to identify exactly which of these factors might be affecting you. Then we create a personalized protocol to address your specific imbalances.

**Ready to stop guessing and start getting answers?**

I offer complimentary 15-minute discovery calls where we can discuss your specific situation and see if functional medicine might be the missing piece of your weight loss puzzle.

During this call, we’ll:

- Review your health history and current symptoms

- Identify potential root causes for your weight struggles

- Discuss what comprehensive testing might look like for you

- See if my approach would be a good fit for your goals

Book your free discovery call here: functnp.com/discovery

You deserve to feel confident in your body again. And you deserve answers, not another diet that leaves you feeling defeated.

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*Sadie Carlsen, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and owner of FunctNP Functional Medicine in Meridian, Idaho. She specializes in helping women uncover the root causes of stubborn weight gain and hormonal imbalances.*