Suffering from an autoimmune disease makes your body vulnerable to various changes, and as a result, you are likely to gain weight. It has been proven that weight gain or weight loss could be an unrequited side effect of suffering from autoimmune diseases, requiring significant changes to one’s diet and lifestyle.
When suffering from an autoimmune condition, you should take good care of your physical health. Being too overweight or underweight can worsen symptoms of autoimmune disease.
As well, the medications prescribed for autoimmune disorders may lead to subsequent weight gain and swelling.
Here are 3 tips you can follow for managing a healthy weight with an autoimmune disease:
Lifestyle shift
Lifestyle, alongside dietary modifications, is important too! Simple things like getting enough sleep, moving your body daily, positive internal self-dialogue and doing things you love will improve the quality of your life! Consider your daily routine. Are you making time for self-care? Plan out your day with your health in mind!
De-stress yourself
Suffering from an autoimmune disease is physically and mentally overwhelming for anyone, and it can trigger feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. It is normal to experience stress with autoimmune; however, you should focus on participating in activities that make you feel relaxed. You can visit a spa, get a massage or go to yoga class to reset your mind and body, which lowers cortisol. When your cortisol is balanced, it is easier to lose weight! Stress also messes with your sex hormones. Stress lowers progesterone and can set you up for estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance makes it near impossible to lose weight. Excess estrogen causes your body to make more fat cells! Especially around the hips and belly.
Ditch the food triggers
You have probably heard that food triggers can trigger autoimmune flares. But did you know food triggers may cause you to gain or lose weight? When you repeatedly eat foods that you are reactive to, it creates inflammation. Inflammation throws the endocrine system into chaos and causes blood sugar imbalance, hormone imbalance and poor metabolism. Keeping inflammation in check is essential.
Does all this sound confusing or overwhelming? You are not alone! I am dedicated to help women gain back their mojo and give them a successful blueprint on how to navigate their autoimmune disorder – I take a holistic approach and look at your lifestyle, stress, find your triggers (which doesn’t have to be food alone), and review your blood laboratory work for nutrient deficiencies. Book a free venture call so we can get started right away. There’s no time like the present.
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