Hi Carol:
I can't do justice to the book and this could really put me in the "hot-seat", but here's a very simplified reason according to Dr. S. (not me
). Hormones are hugely complex so I haven't even scratched the surface.
It's about balancing cortisol, adrenaline and insulin, the 3 major hormones in the body. Cortisol and adrenaline are "using up" hormones whereas insulin is a "building" hormone. Insulin is a good hormone, contrary to much of what you hear. Too much isn't good for obvious reasons. It's about keeping an appropriate balance between the 3 major hormones. Not too high, not too low.
Low cortisol levels make it impossible for you to burn off fat weight. So do low adrenaline levels (burned out adrenals). But low adrenaline levels become low from chronic high adrenaline levels, which can be caused by a number of things that are stressful to the body. High thyroid levels is one of them. I mention this b/c you are on thyroid meds. Too few carbs is another (b/c decreasing low insulin means increasing adrenaline and cortisol).
If your adrenal glands are burned out, losing weight becomes very difficult. In fact, it's likely that you will gain weight on Dr. S.'s healing program. The adrenals can shut down while insulin tries to repair the damage. There are ways to avoid it as much as possible that she explains in the book (ie. cutting back on sat fat). But it's likely to happen before your metabolism heals and gears itself to burn fat.
The only way for you to determine if your adrenals are burned out is to have a cortisol saliva test done (Jinxy has some listed on this site). Fasting insulin tests should also be done, but you can get that one done at your doctor's office.
Clear as mud?
Wanda