For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com Jacie and Barbara discuss how CIRS commonly affects body weight: often causing weight gain and resistance to fat loss, though some people experience extreme weight loss. They'll dig into why weight changes are driven by chronic, multi-system inflammation from biotoxin exposure (such as mold or Lyme), impacting hormones, metabolism, detox pathways, the brain, and the nervous system. It’s not simply “calories in, calories out,” and listeners are encouraged to stop blaming themselves. Key contributors to weight gain include elevated cortisol, hormone disruption (leptin resistance, insulin resistance, altered thyroid signaling even with normal labs, and sex hormone imbalance), nervous system stuck in survival mode, why calorie restriction can reinforce danger signals, and how toxin storage in fat tissue can slow fat loss during detox. They emphasize supportive strategies aligned with the Shoemaker protocol: reduce exposure, calm inflammation, use binders and support detox (including daily bowel movements, sleep, gentle movement, sweating, and lymphatic support), prioritize blood sugar stability, eat adequate protein, sleep, and nervous system regulation. They caution that trying harder through calorie restriction, excessive cardio, and weight cycling can worsen stress signals, and raise concerns about GLP-1s. Focus on healing first: weight often shifts as a side effect of recovery. For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why weight changes are so common with CIRS 01:00 Medical Disclaimer 01:13 Body image issues and bloating: Be comfy and buy clothes that fit 02:12 Inflammation, genetics, leptin, and why it’s not just about calories 05:38 How CIRS causes weight gain: Cortisol, Hormones, and Survival Mode 10:45 Detox, fat storage & the unsexy truth: You’ve gotta poop! 12:11 Sleep, NEAT/BMR, and Exercise: Finding the Right Dose While Healing 15:02 Why “Trying Harder” Backfires: Dieting, Cardio, Weight Cycling & GLP-1s 17:32 Step-by-Step: Heal First to Lose Weight (Reduce Exposure, Detox, Protein, Sleep) 21:21 Real-Life Results, Encouragement, and Where to Get Support For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com HELPFUL LINKS Hashimoto's episode: https://youtu.be/EpmdvcBbsi4?si=Yxq0_lCaW-bXy2Dx Workout episode: https://youtu.be/69Weo6s1FAQ?si=IqJbBdo_upKtTxOJ Order Jacie's book! The 30 Day Carnivore Bootcamp: https://a.co/d/7MgHrRs The CIRS Group: Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/ Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources: Jacie’s book on the Carnivore diet! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivory Blog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/ Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching: Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara Jacie is a Shoemaker certified Proficiency Partner, NASM certified nutrition coach, author, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a business and fitness coach, CIRS and ADHD advocate, writer, speaker, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.