Weight Gain & Hormones
 During pregnancy a mother’s immune system limits it’s clout to prevent the body from rejecting the foetus. After childbirth the system simply turns itself back on but there can be rebound effects as this takes place. "It is almost as if your system is making up for that lost 9 months of time and now it is twice as powerful, developing antibodies that attack normal tissue", says naturopath Narelle Stegehuis.
Narelle is leading the way in the natural treatment of this age old challenge. In medical circles this immune over reaction is referred to as an auto immune response and is a major reason why women tend to be more prone to hormonal disorders leading to weight gain and other unhealthy symptoms after pregnancy.
My Story:
Almost eight years ago, I gave birth to more than just my first child. The arrival of baby Anna also delivered a set of challenges I hadn’t bargained on.
Burdened by a post-baby bulge that wouldn’t budge despite a determined diet and exercise regime, I embarked on a mission to find out why I, and so many of my clients couldn’t lose weight after having a baby.
Previously I had always been a healthy body weight, with an impeccable diet and regular exercise. Now I was having so much trouble sleeping, which further added to my frustration. Quite simply, I was weighed down!
As a consequence of the changes in my immune system I had developed a thyroid condition, which was not picked up by my doctor’s blood test (sadly, this is often the case).
This puzzling challenge fuelled my initial research into the connection between weight gain and hormones. My specialised research gave ‘birth’ to MassAttack, a personalised health program that addresses hormonal imbalance leading to weight gain or poor health.
Common post pregnancy symptons
* Stubborn Weight
* Cravings
* Irregular Periods
* Tiredness
* Cellulite
* Bloating
* Mood Swings
* Enlarged Breasts
* High Cholesterol
So who’s in charge of your health, your hormones or you?
The more I delved into it, the more I realised that we’ve got the whole weight loss thing upside down. We treat the symptom, which is the weight gain, instead of treating the cause, the reason why we are gaining weight.
All of these 'supposedly normal' post pregnancy symptoms can be linked to hormonal imbalance and these distress signals should not be ignored.
The 20,000 hours I have spent uncovering this topic through research and clinical trials set me on the path to developing a holistic naturopathy program which supports women in the regaining of their optimal health while taking into account their individual differences and needs.
Because my program targets the weight gain’s underlying problem, I encourage my patients to stop dieting.
As Mandy found, losing weight is not as simple as eating less and exercising more! It is a complex matrix of diet, lifestyle, hormonal and emotional factors that determine the personalised action plan that is appropriate for you.
You may be surprised - even generally accepted ‘healthy’ foods can worsen hormonal imbalances.
 Mandy, pictured right, had been on the diet rollercoaster all of her adult life. Things got quite out of control after the birth of her three children. After careful analysis of her symptoms, Narelle developed a holistic natural health program that addressed her underlying ovarian disorder and saw her go from a size 24 to 12.
"Fresh energy to keep up with the kids, better sleep and losing weight in places I’ve never been able to budge" says Mandy.
And that’s why, for many woman, generic diets just don’t work! It is imperative to understand your body’s specific needs and thus be able take control of your own health.
"We are all different and what may work for Kirsty Alley may not in fact work for you!"
MassAttack is now available online. Mothers can complete the comprehensive health questionnaire, receive their individualised program and communicate regularly with Narelle on their progress from the comfort of their own home or office.
"Motherhood is such a challenge in itself, the online program has meant that mothers can access their program, additional information and support at times that suit them."
This article is courtesy of Narelle, she is a recognised leading specialist in naturally treating hormonal imbalances. She is a professional member and supporter of the Australian Thyroid and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Associations and enjoys developing winning health programs for even the most complex health challenge.
For more information, or to join MassAttack log onto www.massattack.com.au or call 1300 133 536. |