Don’t you just love (insert eye roll) when people (going to ruffle some feathers here… mainly men) boldly state that it is strictly CICO (calories in vs calories out) when it comes to weight loss.
They are usually the ones who also state that there is “no such thing” as adrenal burnout.
Well, if we can just burst their little cushiony bubble for a moment – I’d like to remind them that CICO and the adrenals not having much to do with weight loss makes sense when we are dealing with HEALTHY individuals.
But guess what, the healthy individuals are NOT the ones that need the intervention! The populous we are speaking to that actually need the help, and that are beyond simply telling them to be in a true caloric deficit – those are the ones that need real help.
So, respectfully – keep helping the healthy individuals that just need more willpower. And leave the real help to those who go to the depths to help the ones who truly need it.
Where does this train of thought (and frustration) come from?
I’ve had many women come to me from male (and female) coaches embarrassed and feeling defeated because they were told again and again to keep cutting cals and carbs and do more cardio and they must be LYING in their check-ins!
Nope, you just had an uneducated coach that took your money to tell you week after week to stress your body out more.
Let me explain.
For some, it’s true… you are could work harder in the gym and be far more dedicated to your nutrition and lifestyle changes needed. There are 100% some people that when you say stop using 1 tbsp EVOO to cook your veg per meal… they for some reason cannot give it up and are adding roughly 120 cals and 14 grams of fat PER MEAL… then wondering why they are not getting results (multiply that tbsp by 4-5 meals a day and, well – there’s your answer).
Now, onto the people who actually listen and they want to see results; it is NOT that these people are not trying. It might be from HPA axis dysregulation.
What is HPA axis dysregulation?
It is Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis dysregulation and many people simply refer to it as “Adrenal Fatigue”. Truthfully, the term Adrenal Fatigue is often used to describe a collection of symptoms like fatigue, stress, sleep issues, brain fog, etc. But the term not a medically recognized condition.
What they are really explaining is a host of symptoms that occur when there is a disruption in the adrenal hormone system. IMO… call it what you want – if we are both referring to the same issue who TF cares!
So, HPA Axis Dysregulation is where the communication between the brain and adrenals becomes dysregulated (think broken telephone!)
When this dysregulation occurs, if affect the systems that play a critical roles in regulating stress responses, mood, digestion, immune system, energy levels, and more.
To make it easy to remember, think of it like this…
The HPA axis is primarily activated during times of stress! It helps the body adapt to stressors by increasing alertness, energy, and metabolic functions.
It does this because in times of stress we would typically need to be able to run, fight, make critical decision making calls and more all at the drop of a hat.
Well, these days our stressors do not always come in the form of fighting of tribes, predators and other life and death scenarios (thank goodness!) But… our stressors might look like financial distress, careers pressures, over-exercising, malnourishment in terms of major nutrient deficiencies, and more.
These current day stressors might go undetected because we have normalized them or called them trendy names like “veganism” or “intermittent fasting”… I warned you I was going to ruffle some feathers!
Since they can go undetected, they can get ignored to the point they lead to chronic stress.
Chronic stress (or just prolonged stress) can lead to dysregulation of the HPA axis and can result in elevated cortisol levels, which may contribute to health issues like anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.
The HPA axis is also interconnected with other systems (think endocrine systems and nervous systems) and can either help or hurt in regulating various hormones and physiological processes in the body.
Now, think of being chronically stress from large nutrient deficiencies (we need certain nutrients to help perform systems and functions in the body, so without optimal nutrients those systems and functions suffer and that IS stressful on the body), or maybe you are chronically stressed because your lifestyle consists of running off coffee, energy drinks and hours of cardio, maybe you are stressed because you carried a growing baby inside you for months; giving lots of your nutrients to baby then going to labour and then breast feeding which gives even more of your nutrients and calories to baby, and you are left nutrient-devoid! Oh, and your sleep is near non-existent! Hmmm… yeah – that would do it!
Solution time!
How do you know if you’re experiencing symptoms of HPA dysregulation (aka. adrenal burnout)?
There are a range of symptoms to look out for to suggest your adrenals are working overtime. Common symptoms to watch for, which can indicate that you’re body is under a lot of stress, can include:
Extreme fatigue and tiredness, especially in the afternoon
Difficulty in waking up, even after a long sleep
Reliance on caffeine and stimulants to get through the day
Salt cravings or feeling compelled to eat salty foods
Decreased stress tolerance
Weakened immune system and increased illnesses
Difficulty in concentrating or brain fog
Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
Mood swings and irritability
Acne and other skin problems
Depression
Low sex drive or libido
Poor memory
Irregular periods (here’s how stress can impact your periods)
Increased PMS and menopausal symptoms
Dizziness, feeling light-headed, or having “head rushes” when rising from a lying or seated position
Muscle weakness
Blood glucose (sugar) imbalances
I am sure that for many of you reading this… that list is describing you or someone you know!
Now, imagine dealing with those symptoms, listening to your “coach” tell you to diet harder, do more workouts and cardio, take stimulants so you can keep pushing on… and then being told you must just not be following the plan.
Can you feel the frustration?
This is why I created PHOCS!
I am so sick of healthy people who never worked with UN-healthy people tell these unhealthy people to blame themselves!
How about offering a solution?!
If you want to know more, send me a message or book a call.