Weight Loss With a Dysfunctional Hypothalamus

According to information from Washington University, the hypothalamus is the section of the brain that is dedicated to regulating a number of subsystems within the body, including maintaining blood pressure, body weight, temperature, thirst and hunger. When the hypothalamus becomes dysfunctional, weight loss can become more difficult, as you will no longer be able to trust the biofeedback being provided by your body regarding hunger cues and the like. However, with some diligence on your part, progress can still be made.

Dietary Means

• Diet by keeping meticulous records if you are otherwise unable to trust the information being provided by your hypothalamus. This means eating on a tight and regulated schedule, as opposed to eating based on hunger. Likewise, you will have to pre-regulate your portions as you will be unable to know whether your body is truly satiated from the meal or whether your hypothalamus is simply misbehaving. Set a daily caloric limit for weight loss (normally between 1,500 and 1,800 calories per day) and spread that intake out across five or six meals consumed at two to three hour intervals. For example, if you are consuming 1,800 calories per day in six meals, aim to eat small portions that contain 300 calories every two or three hours, regardless of how your body feels at that time. Each portion should ideally contain a fruit or vegetable, a small amount of whole grains, a small portion of lean protein and some healthy unsaturated fat.

Exercise Recommendations

• Promote additional weight loss despite the presence of a dysfunctional hypothalamus through the use of a regular exercise program. For ideal results while dieting, you should strive to use a blend of cardiovascular work and resistance training. This will allow your body to shed fat at an accelerated rate while enabling you to retain as much lean mass as possible while dieting. Aim to perform three or four cardio sessions (machine work, brisk walking, light running, swimming) of 30 to 45 minutes per week, along with two or three weight training sessions (or any other form of resistance training). During each resistance training session, aim to work the entire body through the use of compound lifts like the squat, lunges, deadlift, bench pressing, overhead pressing, dips, pushups and pullups. Perform three or four sets of six to ten repetitions per exercise, performing at least one exercise per major muscle group (back, legs, chest, shoulders, abs, biceps, triceps and calves).