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Unintended weight gain: What causes it — and how we treat it

We go deeper than calories. Here’s how we approach weight gain through hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and daily rhythms.

Updated this week

If you’re gaining weight despite doing “everything right,” it’s not your fault — and it’s not in your head.
We take unintended weight gain seriously and approach it with curiosity, science, and compassion.


🧪 What we assess:

We dig into possible drivers like:

  • Insulin resistance or prediabetes

  • Thyroid function and reverse T3

  • Hormone shifts (estrogen, testosterone, leptin, cortisol)

  • Sleep quality and recovery

  • Inflammation and gut health

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction and nutrient depletion

  • Medications known to promote weight gain (SSRIs, antihistamines, beta blockers, OCPs, etc.)


⚖️ Our 5-pillar strategy:

🥗 Nutrition

  • Blood sugar balance and satiety cues

  • Real food + flexible patterns (e.g., protein-first, fiber-rich)

  • Glucose-aware meal timing

  • Tools to reduce decision fatigue

🏃 Movement

  • Daily activity and resistance training (not punishment)

  • Post-meal walks for insulin sensitivity

  • Pacing and fatigue-aware support if you’re burned out or chronically ill

😴 Sleep

  • Sleep timing and circadian rhythm anchoring

  • Screening for apnea, insomnia, perimenopausal shifts

  • Strategies for deeper, longer recovery

❤️‍🩹 Emotional Resilience

  • Stress-related weight gain is real (via cortisol and coping loops)

  • Trauma-informed support: somatic tools, therapy referrals, or journaling

  • Nervous system regulation is part of your metabolic plan

💊 Medications & Supplements

Medication options may include:

  • Metformin — for insulin resistance or PCOS

  • GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists (tirzepatide, semaglutide) — for appetite regulation and metabolic reset

  • Bupropion — especially if weight gain overlaps with mood or motivation challenges

  • Naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave) — in select cases

  • Zonisamide or topiramate — when weight gain relates to appetite dysregulation, sleep, or mood

  • Spironolactone — for androgen-driven weight gain or PCOS

We choose meds based on your mechanisms — not the latest trend.

Supplements are chosen based on labs and symptoms, and may include:

  • Inositol, berberine, magnesium, chromium, NAC, and adaptogens


🧠 This is about systems, not willpower

Unintended weight gain is often a downstream effect of upstream imbalances — not a failure of discipline. We focus on mechanisms, data, and long-term strategy — not shame, restriction, or one-size-fits-all plans.


📦 Want to track progress at home?

Here’s a smart scale guide we trust:
👉 The Best Smart Scales – Wirecutter


Let us know if you're ready to explore this. We’ll meet you with context, clarity, and a real plan.

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