We are so grateful to be able to teach the holistic approach to weight-loss through the DAMY Lean program.

It really is this all encompassing approach that makes the DAMY Lean special.

It can be very difficult to cover each and every possible mechanism for inability to lose weight or stalled weight loss but we’re going to try.

What is the Holistic Approach to Weight Loss:

This term refers to the balanced approach to weight loss that acknowledges weight loss is not only about calories in versus calories out. Organ function, quality of food, hormone balance and blood sugar control also affect metabolism.

Extreme examples of this include:

• hypothyroidism – sluggish thyroid slows metabolism
• type two diabetes – poor blood sugar control causes weight gain
• estrogen/testosterone dominance including fibroids, PMS, PCOS, etc – high estrogen causes fat storage around the hips
• iron deficiency anemia – low nutrients make exercise difficult and slow metabolic function

If these conditions and functional imbalances are discovered their treatments often result in weight loss.

How to practice your own holistic approach:

Through the Portal we have a section called the holistic approach. This is where you will find a do-it-yourself investigation document to cross check your symptoms with weight loss “blocks”. Once you have discovered your imbalance (sometimes with help from your healthcare provider) you are ready to self-correct.

In this section you will find information about protocols, supplementation and lifestyle advice we use to balance hormones, improve thyroid function, raise nutrients, improve digestion, improve sleep, reduce stress, speed recovery, blunt inflammation, boost energy and minimize pain.

And this is the only the beginning.

As the DAMY Lean grows and the program develops more sections will be added. We have started with these blocks because they’re very common.

It is so incredibly common to not be able to exercise because you’re too tired, it’s even more common to be frustrated on a weight-loss journey because your hormones are out of balance. We try to take care of these first.

If you’re very comfortable with the basics of this program and you’re looking to take it to the next level please head over to the holistic approach section of the portal to find where your symptoms fit.

We have broken the sections down into:

• Symptoms – think about your current health state and whether any of your concerns match a specific block
• Workup – how to officially assess this block. Decide whether testing is necessary and either run them with us or your medical team
• Lifestyle changes – what we recommend for balancing this part of your system naturally
• Supplementation – protocol, nutrients, herbs, etc (sometimes medications) for brining healing to this area of your health.

When you check out the section you’ll be able to quickly figure out where your symptoms fit most accurately and how to assess the symptoms. We find it incredibly helpful and very important to get a functional diagnosis when symptoms are presenting. That way you have another marker to assess aside from how you feel when you’re on this journey. This can help you decide if you are doing the right things.

This section covers assessments, lifestyle changes and supplementation protocols we use in each situation. These are not medical advice. These are meant to be a simple form of guidance for where to direct your attention if you have symptoms that fit this imbalance.

Moving forward toward healing:

Knowing that this imbalance can be holding back your weight loss success is empowering. As you improve the organ system function and rebalance the body weight loss is much easier.

Take your time with this section and don’t jump into anything too quickly but know that simple lifestyle changes can be helpful and supplementation is not always required.

*For example, if you’re dealing with a hormone imbalance sometimes simply adding more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale and brussels sprouts as well as ground flaxseed can improve your symptoms.

If your thyroid is out of balance getting an assessment through lab work is the first step towards healing. Once you know your number you’ll know if you need medication or if you can get away with simply taking supplements and making lifestyle changes.

Boosting nutrients can be a simple fix to a slow metabolism but discovering which nutrient that is low can be challenging.

Stress can negatively affect weight loss but diagnosis and management is mostly based on symptoms. When you notice symptoms lifting weight loss efforts will improve.

Knowing your sleeping patterns is important for overall health and it can be essential in weight loss. This doesn’t normally require a work up and supplementation can work very quickly.

When it comes to inflammation, pain and chronic conditions lifestyle changes and supplementation can be a little more complicated and a visit to a functional practitioner or your medical doctor to develop a long-term plan is important. Dr. Duizer is always available for consults with DAMY Lean Members if you need one.

Getting started with the holistic approach today:

The holistic approach to weight-loss means not only eating less and exercising more but taking care of your body as a whole and knowing why your metabolism is slow.

It means optimizing your whole body function so that weight loss and reaching your healthy weight is simply a natural part of your day-to-day life and not stressful.

To implement this module we recommend the following steps:

1. Head over to the holistic approach section of the Portal
2. See if any of your symptoms fit the “blocks” listed
3. Consider a workup through labs with us or your family doc
4. Start to rebalance by adopting the lifestyle recommendations
5. Consider supplementation to speed the process

At a basic level assessing the following presentations can help to decide if this path is required for you.

If anything here resonates with you it is worth a rebalance:

• Not sleeping well
• Irregular cycles
• Racing mind and significant stress
• Major fatigue
• Digestive upset including constipation
• Mood swings with periods of low mood
• Joint pain with aches
• Delayed healing after exercise
• Intense appetite and cravings
• Cold hands and feet
• Hair loss

We hope that this section inspires you to take a hold of your whole-body health.

Weight loss is not as simple as watching the calories you consume. Sometimes simple changes to routine, food choice and nutrient status can make all the difference.

Head over to the holistic approach section to get started when you are ready.