Part 2: The Real Reason You Can’t Lose Weight—It’s Not the Carbs (2025)
- Aug 9
- 5 min read

Most blood sugar advice starts with carbs and sugar.
“Cut the bread. Skip dessert. Try keto. Fast longer.”
And for a while, maybe it “works.”But if you’re like I was—eating clean, working out, doing all the things—yet still feeling inflamed, craving sweets, waking up wired at 2–4 a.m., and crashing hard by 2 p.m.—it’s not your carbs.
It’s your cortisol.
It's your nervous system.
Because here’s the truth: If your body doesn’t feel safe, it will keep your blood sugar unstable—no matter how perfect your diet is. Table of Contents:
Why This Matters for Fat Loss

Blood sugar isn’t just about food—it’s about how your body decides whether to store or burn energy.
And one hormone is in charge of that decision: insulin.
Think of insulin as the “traffic controller” for energy.
When things are smooth, insulin waves your food into the right lanes: energy now, storage later.
When things are chaotic (stress, overwork, lack of sleep, emotional overload), insulin panics. It sends everything to storage—just in case there’s danger ahead.
That means:
Belly fat piles on even with “healthy” meals
Energy drops mid-day
Cravings feel stronger than your willpower
Fat loss stalls
And here’s the kicker: Stress spikes blood sugar—even without food.
How I Learned This the Hard Way

When I was building my business, working 60+ hours a week, and pushing through workouts, I thought I was being “disciplined.”
I tracked macros. I fasted. I cut carbs.
And still… my body felt inflamed, my legs heavy, my energy gone.
It felt like I could gain weight just breathing.
At night, I’d crave something sweet—not because I was hungry, but because I was wired and tired.
That sugar gave me quick dopamine and serotonin—the brain chemicals that made me feel calmer, more grounded, even if just for a moment.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that sugar activates the brain’s reward system in the same way certain addictive substances do, increasing dopamine and serotonin levels—chemicals linked to feelings of pleasure and reduced stress. (nida.nih.gov)
I didn’t know it then, but my cravings weren’t weakness. They were survival signals.
In fact, the CDC notes that stress-related hormonal shifts, particularly elevated cortisol, can trigger cravings for high-sugar, high-fat foods because the body is seeking fast energy and emotional relief.(cdc.gov)
My body wasn’t fighting me—it was protecting me.
The Science in Plain English

When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol—a hormone that tells your liver to release stored sugar (glucose) into your blood so you have quick energy to “fight or flee.” This is great if you’re running from a bear. Not so great if you’re running from emails, deadlines, or emotional stress all day long.
According to the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism (Kaur et al., 2011), chronic cortisol spikes not only raise your blood sugar but also suppress thyroid function and encourage fat storage—especially in the belly.
Constant cortisol = constant high blood sugar.
And when blood sugar is high all the time, insulin stops listening.
This is called insulin resistance.
Symptoms of insulin resistance you might be ignoring:
Midsection weight gain
Crashing after meals
Waking up in the middle of the night
Needing caffeine to get going
Feeling “hangry” between meals
PMS that feels like emotional whiplash
The Bigger Problem: Emotional & Spiritual Disconnection

Here’s what most experts leave out: Blood sugar instability isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and spiritual, too.
When your nervous system is dysregulated:
It’s harder to feel connected to your body
You’re more likely to feel guilt and shame around food
You start to believe your body is “the problem”
I’ve been there.
I’ve asked myself: “What is wrong with me?”
But there was nothing “wrong.”
My nervous system was doing its job—keeping me safe the only way it knew how.
And if you’ve ever buried yourself in work, over-managed your schedule, or avoided slowing down because you didn’t want to feel what was under the surface… you know what I’m talking about.
Stillness can feel unsafe—so we keep moving.
But healing doesn’t happen in overdrive.
It happens in presence.
A Different Way Forward

You don’t fix blood sugar by punishing yourself with more restriction or more intensity. You fix it by creating physiological safety.
Physically:
Eat within an hour of waking
Pair carbs with protein, fat, and fiber
Walk or move after meals
Do strength training that calms, not depletes, your system
Breathe with intention while you move
Emotionally:
Catch “I blew it” moments before they spiral
Ask: "What need was I trying to meet with food?"
Spiritually:
Ground yourself in prayer, journaling, or time in nature
Remember: your body was never the enemy—it was always trying to protect you
Download my 7-Minute Nervous System Reset HERE—my free guide to nervous system-based movement that lowers cortisol levels so you can lose weight.
And it’s not just the physical. Emotional safety matters, too. That means catching those “I blew it” moments before they spiral into shame, and asking instead: “What need was I trying to meet with food?”
For High-Achievers

If you’ve ever scaled a business, you know you can’t just chase sales without systems. You need stable operations, a clear process, and a solid foundation—or the whole thing collapses under growth.
Your metabolism is the same way.
You can eat clean, track perfectly, and work out daily—but if your foundation (nervous system and blood sugar regulation) isn’t stable, your results will collapse under stress.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that chronic stress interferes with insulin’s ability to move glucose into your cells, which can lead to weight gain—even when your calorie intake and exercise are on point (niddk.nih.gov).
Think of it like running a company where the accounting software is broken. You can have amazing marketing, talented staff, and a top-tier product—but if the financial system can’t track revenue correctly, your growth stalls.
Want to Lose Weight Without Spiking Insulin?

You don’t have a willpower problem. You have a safety problem.
When your body feels safe:
Insulin starts listening again
Cravings soften
Energy returns
Fat loss feels effortless
Your body isn’t broken—it’s wise. It’s been protecting you all along.
That’s exactly why I created the 7-Minute Nervous System Reset that I give to all my 1:1 online clients—a simple, reset you can do anywhere.
It’s not about burning more or cutting more—it’s about giving your body the signal it’s been waiting for: You’re safe now.
Download it free today and watch how much easier your results become when your body is finally on your side.
Get Your Pain-Free Blueprint HERE
Click HERE to download the 7-Minute Nervous System Reset NOW and begin your weight loss journey.
Contact Information
Email us at support@lumi-soul.com
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You’ve tried willpower. Now try safety—because sustainable results start with a regulated system.
Reference
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Chronic stress triggers prolonged activation of the body’s stress response, which can disrupt immune, digestive, and reproductive functions. nida.nih.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Stress can lead to unhealthy weight gain by affecting eating patterns, hormone levels, and fat storage. cdc.gov
Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why stress is bad for your brain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 6(10), 20-28. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, promotes visceral fat storage, and impairs glucose metabolism. PubMed Central
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): Insulin resistance from chronic stress and poor blood sugar regulation increases the risk of weight gain and metabolic disorders. niddk.nih.gov
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