Weight loss is one of the most common goals patients bring up in my St. Louis practice. Many people feel frustrated after trying diet after diet, exercising regularly, and still not seeing the scale move. While some assume it’s just a matter of “willpower,” the truth is far more complex.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we look beyond calories in and calories out. We uncover the hidden reasons why someone struggles to lose weight, so we can create a plan that actually works.

The Complex Nature of Weight Loss

Weight is not controlled by just one factor—it is influenced by metabolism, hormones, gut health, stress, sleep, and genetics. For many patients, it’s not about a lack of effort but about underlying imbalances that make the body resist weight loss.

Common Reasons People Struggle to Lose Weight

1. Insulin Resistance

One of the most overlooked causes of weight struggles is insulin resistance. When cells become resistant to insulin, the body produces more of it to try to regulate blood sugar. Unfortunately, high insulin levels tell the body to store fat rather than burn it.

Signs of insulin resistance include:

• Belly fat that won’t budge
• Fatigue after meals
• Sugar cravings
• Skin tags or darkened patches of skin

Addressing insulin resistance through nutrition, lifestyle, and sometimes supplements is key to unlocking fat loss.

2. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones play a powerful role in metabolism and weight regulation.

• Thyroid hormones regulate metabolic rate. Low thyroid function slows calorie burning and often causes weight gain.
• Cortisol, the stress hormone, can lead to fat storage around the abdomen when levels remain elevated.
• Estrogen and progesterone imbalances, especially during perimenopause and menopause, can cause weight changes in women.
• Low testosterone in men and women reduces muscle mass, making it harder to burn fat.

Through our functional medicine program, we test hormone levels to identify and correct these imbalances.

3. Gut Health Issues

An unhealthy gut microbiome can make it harder to lose weight. Dysbiosis (an imbalance of good and bad bacteria) promotes inflammation and can alter metabolism. In addition, poor digestion and nutrient absorption may trigger cravings and overeating.

We often find that patients with bloating, constipation, or frequent indigestion have underlying gut health issues contributing to stubborn weight.

4. Chronic Stress and Poor Sleep

Stress and sleep are often overlooked, but they’re critical for weight regulation.

• Stress: Chronic stress increases cortisol, which drives cravings for sugar and comfort foods.
• Sleep deprivation: Lack of sleep raises ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and lowers leptin (the fullness hormone), making it difficult to resist overeating.

Even if you’re eating well and exercising, stress and poor sleep can sabotage your results.

5. Inflammation

Chronic inflammation disrupts metabolism, increases insulin resistance, and promotes fat storage. Conditions like autoimmune disease, food sensitivities, or even environmental toxin exposure can trigger inflammation that interferes with weight loss.

6. Nutrient Deficiencies

Low levels of vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins can slow metabolism and reduce energy. Without addressing these deficiencies, weight loss often stalls no matter how disciplined the patient is.

Why Traditional Diets Fail

Most fad diets focus on short-term restriction rather than long-term metabolic health. While you may see initial weight loss, the body often rebounds once the diet ends. This cycle of “yo-yo dieting” not only damages metabolism but can also harm self-confidence.

Our approach focuses on restoring balance so the body naturally moves toward a healthy weight—and stays there.

A Functional Medicine Approach to Weight Loss

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we take a root-cause approach:

• Comprehensive testing – hormones, insulin resistance, nutrient levels, gut health
• Personalized nutrition – tailored to your metabolism and health needs
• Lifestyle guidance – stress reduction, sleep optimization, movement plans
• Advanced therapies – red light therapy with PEMF for fat metabolism, and regenerative medicine support for overall vitality

This approach allows us to go beyond calorie counting and finally address why the weight is not coming off.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been struggling to lose weight despite doing “all the right things,” know that it’s not your fault. Weight loss resistance is usually a sign that your body needs deeper attention—whether it’s hormones, gut health, stress, or nutrient deficiencies.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) in St. Louis, we specialize in uncovering these hidden factors and creating personalized strategies to help patients achieve lasting results.

👉 Call today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward weight loss that lasts.

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