Midlife Solutions with Karen Martel

I spent years chasing different diets: excessive exercise, low fat, high carb, Atkins, veganism, HCG—you name it. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. Even though I wasn’t overweight, I constantly obsessed over my body and struggled with self-acceptance.

Then, the truth set me free.

There’s no one-size-fits-all diet. Your body is unique, and what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. I had to figure out what worked for my body. And after a lot of research and trial and error, I found my personal weight loss code. For me, it was a Paleo-style diet, balanced hormones, managing stress, and learning to love myself just as I am. It was a long, tough road, but that approach has worked for me—and it continues to work.

Now, I’m here to help you find your personal weight loss code.

If you feel like you’ve tried everything and still can’t shed those stubborn pounds, it’s time to look beyond the surface. In my years of working with clients and doing endless research, I’ve pinpointed four of the most common reasons women struggle with weight loss—beyond just diet and exercise. Let’s break them down.

1. Hormones

Mood swings, PMS, menopause, bloating, insomnia, anxiety, weight around your middle (hello, muffin top!), hot flashes, and, of course, difficulty losing weight—these are all signs your hormones might be out of balance.

Our hormones are under constant stress these days. From plastics, household cleaners, pesticides, nutrient deficiencies, birth control, and more—our hormones are getting bombarded. When they're out of balance, everything—including weight—can spiral out of control.

What can you do about it?
Get your hormones checked! Saliva or urine testing is preferred over blood testing. If you’re menstruating, the 21st day of your cycle is the ideal time for testing. Not menstruating? You can test at any time. If you're unsure about your hormone balance, book a free 15-minute consult, and I’d be happy to help.

2. Food Sensitivities

If you suffer from bloating, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, or skin rashes, you could have food sensitivities that are preventing you from losing weight. Food sensitivities cause immune responses in the body, but they’re different from food allergies. Symptoms can take hours or even days to appear, making them harder to identify.

Some foods that trigger sensitivities can disrupt metabolism, leading to inflammation, water retention, and digestive problems—all major contributors to weight loss resistance.

What can you do about it?
Remove the most common offenders—dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, peanuts, corn, sugar, and artificial sweeteners—for at least 4 weeks. After that, reintroduce each food one at a time and monitor your body’s response. If symptoms return, remove them from your diet for good.

3. Your So-Called “Healthy” Foods Aren’t So Healthy

You might be eating what you think are healthy foods, but they could be sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Foods like margarine, vegetable oil, whole wheat bread, brown rice, legumes, oats, soy products, and low-fat dairy are often marketed as healthy. Unfortunately, they can cause blood sugar spikes, leaky gut, nutrient deficiencies, and inflammation—all of which can lead to weight gain and hinder weight loss.

What can you do about it?
Eliminate these foods for a while and see if they’re affecting your weight loss. Margarine, gluten, and artificial sweeteners should be completely avoided in favor of real, whole foods.

4. Stress

Feeling wired but tired? Over-scheduled? Experiencing insomnia, anxiety, or cravings for salty, fatty foods? These are all signs that stress might be wreaking havoc on your body. When stress levels rise, cortisol (your fight-or-flight hormone) spikes, which leads to fat storage, especially around the belly. High cortisol also increases insulin levels, which signals your body to store fat. As if that wasn’t enough, high cortisol raises blood sugar, fueling those sugar cravings.

What can you do about it?
Manage your stress! Take time for yourself, whether it’s through outdoor activities, yoga, massage, or even hiring help around the house. Practice meditation, slow down, and make self-care a priority.