This is the first full week after our 31-Day Detox. We’re still waiting for the results to come in. Many women have done exceptional on learning how to detox their bodies of sugar and their minds from the toxic thoughts.
This detox has also brought up a number of insights for some people. During the detox, we progressively increased our carbohydrate consumption each week. However, some women found that as they increased their carbs, they also gained weight dramatically.
If you find that you gain weight easily when you consume carbohydrates, you may have what is called ‘insulin or carbohydrate sensitivity.’ Meaning, we have trouble digesting carbs and absorbing nutrients, so we gain weight.
Here’s a very basic explanation of how it works:
Insulin is a hormone that aids in the absorption of nutrients from the foods we eat. When you eat carbs, or other foods, your blood sugar levels increase and the pancreas releases insulin which functions to remove the excess sugar out of the bloodstream and into your muscles where it gets used for energy when your body needs it.
In some people, the more carbs they eat, the less sensitive their bodies get to insulin, so they need to keep producing more and more insulin in order to stabilize their blood sugar levels. The more insulin the pancreas has to produce, the less sensitive we get to it until, eventually, the pancreas stops being able to absorb insulin properly. The end result is that we will have difficulty digesting carbs and absorbing nutrients and we gain weight.
This is not the case for everyone. Some people just eat too many sugary foods, or eat too much food in general. But if you find that you’re eating within your boundaries and as soon as you increase your carbohydrate consumption (even healthy carbs), you start gaining weight, then you could be insulin sensitive. Take this online quiz to help you determine if you are insulin sensitive ——> Carbohydrate Sensitivity Test <——-.
Then talk to your doctor and let him/her know what’s going on; but remember, you know your body best. So if they tell you ‘you’re fine’, then take matters into your own hands and get to work to learn your body.
Can you guess why there are so many diet books out there?—high fat, high carb, high protein, low fat, low carb, intermittent fasting, ketogenic, etc. It’s because there are so many different people, and different bodies tolerate foods differently.
Not everyone can eat the same amount of carbs despite what ‘myfitnesspal’, or other tools might tell you. Your eating plan should be individualized according to all your food sensitivities, preferences, level of activity, and your health and weight goals. This will require lots of trial and error; lots of patience, and of course, lots of prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what foods are best for your body; chances are, you already know. Then learn how to live within your new food boundaries. Use your body’s reaction to different foods as a tool to help you learn more about your body and what it needs.
P.S. if you are tired of circling the same mountain over and over and want a Christ-centered approach to lasting weight loss without feeling guilty, deprived, or overwhelmed, be sure to sign up for our video course program right away at cathymorenzie.com
2 Comments
I ranked high on the insulin sensitivity test. Although I wasn’t surprised and had already realized this, I was surprised to see “dairy” mentioned several times. In general, my consumption of grains, fruit, high carb vegetables is low . . . however, I love my dairy (yogurt, cheese, and cream in my coffee) . . . I wonder if this is holding up progress also.
This is right along the same concept of Trim healthy Mama which has changed my eating philosophy! Too high carbs (even healthy ones) and high fat meals are sure ways to pack on pounds. Curious about your take on this, Cathy.
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