And Stop Them From Blocking Your Weight Loss
If your female hormones are out of balance, you may be struggling with mood swings or PMS. You may crave food, particularly chocolate or carbs premenstrually. Or you may be approaching menopause and have symptoms such as low mood, less energy, hot flashes or increased belly fat. (As we approach menopause we are more likely to store fat around our bellies as this fat can produce oestrogen, to boost declining levels).
As you rebalance your female hormones, you reduce these symptoms and it becomes easier to lose weight.
Here are 7 steps that will help balance your female hormones
#1 Balance your blood sugar levels
Hormones don’t act in isolation, they have a knock on effect on other hormones. Balancing your blood sugar levels helps balance your female hormones.
Read the blog 5 Steps to balance your blood sugar to stop giving your body the message to store fat.
#2 Support your liver and gut
Your liver and gut clear old hormones from your body, helping to balance your female hormones.
Increase fruit and vegetables as they contain antioxidants that support your liver and neutralise toxins.They also contain fibre to keep everything moving through your gut. The longer old hormones stay in your gut, the more likely they are to be reabsorbed.
Wholegrains also contain fibre which helps support detoxification. And remember to drink plenty of water.
#3 Include phytoestrogens
Some plant substances, known as phytoestrogens, can help balance your oestrogen levels whether they are high or low.
Some of the best forms of phytoestrogens are fermented soy (such as miso and tempeh) and legumes (lentils, chickpeas and other beans).
# 4 De-Stress and relax
Stress affects your female hormones. Many of us are so overloaded, we don’t even realise how stressed we are. It is important to address the stresses in your life and prioritise time to relax.
#5 Eat the right fats
Omega 3 and omega 6 fats produce hormone-like substances that help hormone balance. Include nuts and seeds for omega 6 fats. It is important to make sure you have the right balance of omega 3 to omega 6 fats and many people are low in omega 3 fats. These fats are found in foods such as oily fish, flax and chia seed and walnuts.
#6 Reduce exposure to environmental oestrogens
Environmental oestrogens are stronger than the oestrogens produced by our bodies. They can therefore disrupt your female hormone balance. They are found in plastics, cleaning products, sanitary products and toiletries.
To reduce your exposure, avoid wrapping food in plastic and use as natural and organic products as possible, particularly phthalate-free products.
#7 Exercise
Exercise has benefits for your whole body including regulating your female hormones levels. It improves your bowel functioning so you eliminate ‘old’ hormones.
To learn more about how to bring your body into balance to make it easier to lose weight get the book - The Body Effect: Discover what’s triggering your cravings and belly fat. Reveal your unique path to lasting weight loss.