The scale keeps going up even though you’re doing everything right. You’re eating well, exercising regularly, and watching your portions, but your body isn’t responding the way it used to.
Weight gain that ignores your efforts usually points to hormones, not calories. At Modern Gynecology & Reproductive Health in Memphis, Tennessee, Susan Lacy, MD, FACOG, frequently encounters this issue. Women come in frustrated because they’re doing all the “right” things, but their bodies aren't cooperating.
Your hormones control more than you might think. They decide where you store fat, how fast you burn calories, and even what foods you crave. When they’re out of balance, losing weight can be nearly impossible, no matter how hard you try.
Here are three signs that hormones, not habits, are behind your weight gain.
When you cut out snacks, eat smaller portions, and overhaul your diet, it feels like your body is betraying you if the scale keeps going up.
Here’s what's probably happening: your metabolism has slowed down. When your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, your body burns calories more slowly.
Insulin resistance creates a similar problem. Your cells stop responding to insulin properly, so your body stores most of what you eat as fat instead of using it for energy.
This happens frequently during perimenopause when estrogen levels drop. Your metabolism can slow by 200-300 calories per day, which explains why you can eat the same way you did at 35 and gain weight at 45.
Hormonal weight gain follows predictable patterns. High cortisol levels from chronic stress direct fat storage to your midsection. You can do endless sit-ups, but belly fat stays put until cortisol levels decrease.
Some women develop fat deposits between their shoulder blades or notice their face becoming rounder, while their arms and legs remain the same size.
Where you gain weight provides a roadmap to what’s happening internally. Different hormone imbalances create different fat distribution patterns.
Hormonal weight gain rarely happens alone. You might notice your hair thinning, your periods becoming irregular, or feeling exhausted despite adequate sleep.
Intense food cravings, especially for carbohydrates in the afternoon, often signal insulin resistance.
Temperature sensitivity is another clue. Feeling cold when others are comfortable may indicate thyroid problems, while sudden hot flashes or night sweats could suggest changes in reproductive hormones.
Dr. Lacy often sees women who feel like something is fundamentally wrong, but can’t pinpoint what it is. Sleep problems, mood changes, skin issues, and unexplained fatigue, alongside weight gain, usually indicate hormonal imbalances rather than lifestyle issues.
Standard diet advice fails when hormones are the problem. Dr. Lacy doesn’t just recommend eating less and exercising more. She tests thyroid function, insulin sensitivity, cortisol levels, and reproductive hormones to identify the actual cause of the weight gain.
Treatment depends on which hormones are imbalanced. Options might include:
The goal is to work with your body’s chemistry instead of fighting against it. When hormones are correctly balanced, weight management is easier.
If your weight gain follows these patterns, you might need medical evaluation rather than another diet plan.
Contact Modern Gynecology & Reproductive Health in Memphis, Tennessee, today or book an appointment online to discuss comprehensive hormone testing with Dr. Lacy and our team.
