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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 over 2 weeks ago

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

💊 Tests, Medications & Supplements

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

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

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.


🧠 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 get answers. We’ll meet you with context, clarity, and a real plan: get started with a complimentary consult.

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