When Willpower Isn’t the Problem
We’re often told that losing weight is simply about “eating less and moving more.” But for many people, that advice doesn’t work, at least, not for long. If you’ve been doing “everything right” yet still struggle with your weight, it might not be your fault.
1. Check Your Thyroid
Your thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped organ in your neck, plays a huge role in metabolism. When it’s underactive (a condition called hypothyroidism), it can cause fatigue, sluggish digestion, water retention and unexplained weight gain, even if your diet hasn’t changed.
At The Wellness we recommend blood tests to check thyroid hormone (TSH, T3, T4) levels if you experience these symptoms. Treating an underactive thyroid can restore metabolic balance and energy levels.
2. The Problem with Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)
Ultra-processed foods, think packaged snacks, sweetened yoghurts, meal replacements and many “healthy” cereals, can disrupt appetite regulation. Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH, 2019) showed that people eating a diet high in UPFs consumed about 500 extra calories per day compared to those eating minimally processed foods, even when the meals were matched for nutrients.
UPFs tend to be engineered for “bliss points”, a perfect mix of fat, sugar, and salt that lights up your brain’s reward system and overrides natural fullness signals.
3. Stress, Cortisol and the Body’s Alarm System
Chronic stress keeps your body in a low-level fight-or-flight mode, releasing cortisol — a hormone that can promote fat storage around the abdomen and increase cravings for high-energy foods.
Short-term stress is normal, but long-term stress can confuse the body’s hormonal balance, affecting sleep, digestion and weight regulation. Meditation, walking, and consistent sleep patterns aren’t “soft” solutions, they are biochemical resets.
4. Not Knowing What Your Body Really Needs
Every body has its own blueprint, genetics, hormones, gut microbiome, sleep cycles and stress responses all play roles. Yet most of us are flying blind.
Many people don’t know their blood glucose variability, inflammatory markers, or even how their gut bacteria affect appetite and energy. Personalised nutrition is emerging as one of the most promising areas of metabolic science, it’s about understanding what your body responds to, not following generic diet plans.
The Takeaway
If you’re struggling with weight, it’s not a moral failing, it’s biology, chemistry and sometimes, medical oversight.
Start by getting a thyroid check, minimise ultra-processed foods, manage stress intentionally, and listen to your body instead of punishing it. The goal isn’t just weight loss, it’s metabolic health, energy, and long-term wellbeing.
The Wellness
email us at team@thewellnesslondon.com