By Karyn Polewaczyk, Nov 14, 2009

I'm not a doctor or a medical professional by any means, but I know that many medications can alter our bodily functions, including metabolism, as a side effect of their treatments. You might want to ask your doctor if this is the case with the medication you're on.

For example, my body doesn't tolerate synthetic hormones well - this includes the birth control pill, which is often used to treat a reproductive disorder I have. If and when I've taken any form of synthetic hormone, my weight automatically rises, even if I'm not eating or exercising differently; my skin dulls; I become depressed; and generally don't feel so well.

By Lianda Ludwig, M.S., Nov 15, 2009

Despite what people say about your weight being controlled only by calories you ingest vs energy spent, there are many other variables that also have an effect on weight loss. The rate by which we burn calories can be seen when you have a friend who eats everything in sight and never gains weight! And once you've been on a diet, if you can set yourself on the "yo yo syndrome". You lose weight, and then you gain back what you lost, PLUS an additional pound or two.

Stress effects not only your weight, but where you are putting it on! The belly region is the area that expands when our adrenal glands are effected by continuous stress. No matter how much dieting and exercise you do, once your adrenals are exhausted from stress, the weight is not coming off! AND did you know that stress also effects your heart rate variability? You can find out more about Heartmath.org. and write to me if you are interested in learning how you may be able to improve your condition with the Emwave device.

So, some of the things you can do to help are: First, don't get angry at yourself, and realize the frustration is self-defeating (creating more stress, ugh!). Start by thinking about food in a new way: you are eating for health, and enjoyment. Then you can feel good about what you are doing to take care of yourself- that's a positive view, rather than an "I should...". Don't "should" on yourself (lol).

Recent research is showing that eating a diet with plenty of RAW foods can help fill us up - and because it's not digested as well as cooked food, it goes right through us without adding weight. That may be part of the secret of why salads are so good for us! You can listen to a wonderful program about this on Science Friday archives. Here's a linkwww.sciencefriday.co...

there are lots of other excellent programs there about dieting.

Lifting weights to add muscle mass improves our ability to burn calories. And it makes our bones stronger as well. However, don't get scared because the scale will go up once you build muscles. They weigh more than fat; but you look tighter and are fitter; which can also help your heart and your knee! And having more muscle actually burns calories even while you're asleep. How's that for good news?

The major thing I would recommend is make sure you are eating "mindfully". Pay attention and enjoy your food. Don't read, watch TV or talk to others, eat in the car or standing up, when you are eating. You end up eating faster, and eating more than you would normally, and not experiencing and enjoying your food! When you eat fast you don't give your body the chance to tell you: I'm full, stop eating. So slow down, pay attention and even stop before you normally would and see if you're full. Make sure you snack healthfully- with raw vegetables and protein, so you don't get overly hungry at the next meal. Also, don't eat after 8pm at night.

Normally, you only have to cut 90 calories out a day to lose 10 pounds a year. But, as you said, in the case when you're taking medications this may not be the case. Hopefully you'll be able to get off or change that at some near time in the future.

Just remember, you are NOT your body; and after a certain age we will never be supermodels! And that's fine! You're YOU, and that's much better.

Good luck!

from the heart,

Lianda

www.heartfelt-stress-relief.blogspot.com/