The Root Cause Revolution: A New Approach to Everyday Health
I’m Stephanie Solaris, owner of Solaris Whole Health and creator of the BRAND NEW Root Cause Revolution. As a seasoned functional wellness professional with 15 years of transformative guidance, I’ve empowered over 5,000 clients worldwide, including 90 pro and semi-athletes. ? My expertise spans menopause, stress, fatigue, weight management, hormone balance, sleep harmony, gut health, allergies, and even libido. 25 years ago, I embarked on a personal transformation that forever changed my life. I lost 100 pounds and, even through menopause, I’ve maintained that weight loss and continue to feel fantastic. The best part? I wasn’t just following conventional methods—I was my very first client! I grew weary of the yo-yo dieting, constant hunger, and persistent health symptoms that never seemed to improve. This frustration inspired me to create The Root Cause Revolution, a movement designed to address the underlying causes of health issues rather than merely masking symptoms. Unlike traditional healthcare, which often focuses on quick fixes, the Root Cause Revolution delves deep to find and address the root of the problem. Through advanced testing, personalized nutrition, supplements, lifestyle changes, and mindset shifts, we tackle the core issues to achieve lasting, sustainable health. The Power of Functional Wellness Many people don’t realize that the symptoms they experience—such as chronic fatigue, digestive issues, brain fog, or weight gain—often stem from deeper imbalances in their lifestyle and health. Functional wellness addresses these imbalances by considering the whole person and identifying the root cause of their issues. Unlike traditional methods that often only treat symptoms with medication, functional wellness seeks to find and fix the underlying problem. Have you ever experienced cravings that you just couldn’t shake? I certainly have! Giving in to those cravings didn’t help my health or waistline, so I developed the concept of Better Bad Choices. What Are Better Bad Choices? Instead of battling your cravings, honor them by making smarter choices. This approach, which I call “crowding out,” involves substituting healthier alternatives for your cravings. If you’re craving something sweet, opt for a nutrient-rich treat that satisfies your craving without derailing your progress. Swap out a greasy burger for a juicy turkey burger, or choose air-popped popcorn over buttery movie theater popcorn. By making these “Better Bad Choices,” you can enjoy your favorite flavors while still staying on track with your health goals. The 30-Day Cravings Challenge I’m thrilled to introduce the FREE 30-Day Cravings Challenge as part of the Root Cause Revolution! During this challenge, we’ll confront cravings, reset your diet, and learn to make Better Bad Choices—tasty, healthier swaps that keep you on track without sacrificing satisfaction. We’ll embark on this journey together, and by the end of the challenge, you’ll feel great, lose weight, and address symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and brain fog. Our approach also incorporates the 4 Pillars of Health: nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep. By focusing on these key areas, we ensure a comprehensive approach to wellness that supports long-term success and vitality. By making small, manageable changes—one choice at a time, one bite at a time—you can progress toward your wellness goals without feeling deprived. Through the Root Cause Revolution, we’ll achieve your health goals with a balanced, holistic approach that’s tailored to your needs. Join me on Facebook, Instagram, and now TikTok, where each week I’ll be posting great videos that I know you’ll be able to relate to! Let’s kick those symptoms to the curb—let’s eat better, live better, and feel better so you can live the life you desire. Click here to learn more about Solaris Whole Health and to schedule your FREE consultation directly with me, Stephanie Solaris.
8 Hormones Responsible for Weight Gain in Women
Hormones play a huge role in how our bodies function and look. If you’ve been struggling with sudden weight gain or find it difficult to shed those extra pounds, it might not just be about your diet or exercise routine—your hormones could be at play. Hormonal imbalances can make it hard to lose weight, even with the best efforts. So, getting your hormone levels checked could be the key to finally seeing the results you want. Hormones help maintain homeostasis, which is the body’s way of keeping everything in balance. This balance is crucial for managing weight, regulating metabolism, and maintaining reproductive health. Most women experience hormonal imbalances at some point due to factors like age, genetics, pregnancy, and menopause—all of which can lead to weight gain. But which hormones are the main culprits? Let’s dive into the key hormones linked to weight gain and how they control hunger, satiety, and metabolism. Which Hormone Imbalances Lead to Weight Gain? Weight gain can be frustrating, especially when it feels like you’re doing everything right. But did you know that your hormones might be to blame? Let’s break down the key hormones that, when out of whack, can cause those extra pounds to stick around. 1. Thyroid Hormones The thyroid gland is that small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck, and it plays a big role in how your body’s metabolism works. Thyroid hormones—mainly T3 and T4—help regulate how quickly you burn calories and use energy. When everything’s working fine, your metabolism hums along at a normal pace. But if your thyroid isn’t producing enough of these hormones (a condition known as hypothyroidism), your metabolism can slow down, leading to weight gain and fatigue. Signs your thyroid might be off: If you’re dealing with unexplained weight gain, fatigue, feeling cold all the time, constipation, dry skin, thinning hair, or depression, your thyroid could be the culprit. How to manage it: A simple blood test can check your thyroid levels. If needed, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, diet adjustments, and regular exercise can help get things back on track. 2. Leptin Leptin is sometimes called the “satiety hormone” because it helps control your appetite. It’s produced by your body’s fat cells and sends signals to your brain to let you know when you’ve had enough to eat. But if your brain doesn’t get the message (a condition known as leptin resistance), you might end up feeling hungry all the time, leading to overeating and weight gain. Signs your leptin might be out of balance: Constant hunger, overeating, difficulty losing weight, especially around the belly, and fatigue are common signs of leptin resistance. How to manage it: Focus on a diet full of whole foods, reduce processed foods and sugar, and keep up a regular exercise routine. Stress management is also key since stress can mess with leptin sensitivity. 3. Insulin Insulin is produced by the pancreas and helps regulate your blood sugar levels. It allows your cells to take in glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream to use for energy or to store for later. But when your body doesn’t respond well to insulin (known as insulin resistance), your blood sugar stays high, which encourages fat storage—especially around your midsection. Signs your insulin might be off: If you’re feeling constantly hungry, gaining weight (especially around your abdomen), experiencing frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, or noticing dark patches of skin, insulin resistance could be the issue. How to manage it: Lower your sugar and refined carb intake, increase your fiber intake, and get regular exercise. These changes can help improve your insulin sensitivity, and in some cases, medication might be necessary. 4. Ghrelin Ghrelin, also known as the “hunger hormone,” is produced mainly in your stomach and signals your brain when it’s time to eat. Ghrelin levels naturally rise before meals and drop after eating. But if your ghrelin levels stay high even after eating, you might find yourself constantly hungry, leading to overeating and weight gain. Signs your ghrelin might be out of balance: If you’re always hungry, overeating, and finding it tough to lose weight, your ghrelin levels might be to blame. How to manage it: Maintain regular eating patterns, manage stress, get enough sleep, and avoid crash diets, which can disrupt ghrelin production. 5. Estrogen Estrogen is a key female hormone involved in reproductive health, bone health, and even fat distribution. High estrogen levels can cause your body to store more fat, while low levels—especially during menopause—can lead to increased fat storage, particularly around the abdomen. Signs your estrogen might be out of balance: High estrogen can cause weight gain in the hips and thighs, bloating, irregular periods, and mood swings. Low estrogen, on the other hand, can lead to abdominal weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. How to manage it: Hormone replacement therapy can help during menopause, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Foods rich in phytoestrogens, like flaxseeds and soy, can also help balance estrogen levels naturally. 6. Cortisol Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone” because it’s released by your adrenal glands in response to stress. It helps regulate metabolism, immune responses, and inflammation. But if you’re stressed out all the time, your cortisol levels can stay elevated, which promotes fat storage, especially around your belly. High cortisol levels also increase cravings for sugary and fatty foods, making it even harder to keep weight off. Signs your cortisol might be off: Weight gain (especially around the abdomen), thinning skin, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, anxiety, irritability, and trouble sleeping are all signs of high cortisol. How to manage it: Try stress reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. Regular physical activity, good sleep, and a balanced diet low in sugar can also help keep cortisol levels in check. 7. Testosterone Testosterone isn’t just important for men—it’s also produced