Functional medicine care
Weight Loss & Metabolic Health
What is weight loss & metabolic health care with Dr. Christine Maren?
Weight that will not budge after 40 is rarely about willpower. Shifting hormones, insulin resistance, thyroid changes, poor sleep and muscle loss all slow metabolism. Dr. Christine Maren tests for these drivers and builds a physician-led plan that protects muscle, balances blood sugar and supports hormones, including medication when it is the right fit.
Calorie counting alone ignores the hormonal reality of midlife. Our physician-led approach treats weight as a sign of metabolic health and addresses the causes, so results last.
What signals a metabolic problem?
- Weight gain around the belly
- Cravings and energy crashes
- Eating well but the scale will not move
- Rising fasting glucose or A1c
- High triglycerides or cholesterol
- Losing muscle and strength
- Poor sleep and afternoon fatigue
- Weight changes with perimenopause
Recognize yourself here? These symptoms are common, but they are not something you simply have to live with.
How does Dr. Maren approach weight loss and metabolic health?
Find the metabolic drivers
Fasting insulin, glucose, A1c, lipids, thyroid, sex hormones and inflammation markers show why your body is holding on to weight.
Protect and build muscle
Adequate protein and strength training preserve the muscle that keeps metabolism high as you age.
Balance blood sugar
Practical nutrition, sleep and stress strategies reduce insulin resistance and cravings.
Use medicine wisely
Hormone therapy and weight loss medications are considered when appropriate and paired with a plan to keep results.
Learn more about weight loss & metabolic health
Dr. Maren has written and spoken extensively on this topic. Start with these articles, guides and podcasts.
- How to lose weight in your 40s and beyond
- Podcast: mastering blood sugar
- Podcast: metabolism, menopause and muscle
- All weight loss articles
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Weight Loss & Metabolic Health FAQs
Why is it so hard to lose weight after 40?
In your 40s, falling estrogen and progesterone, gradual muscle loss, poorer sleep and rising insulin resistance all lower metabolism and shift fat to the belly. Addressing these drivers works better than eating less.
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance means cells respond poorly to insulin, so the body makes more of it to control blood sugar. High insulin promotes fat storage, cravings and fatigue, and it can be measured with fasting insulin and glucose.
Do you prescribe weight loss medication like GLP-1s?
When appropriate, Dr. Maren may consider medication as part of a complete plan that also protects muscle, balances blood sugar and supports hormones, so results are healthier and more durable.
Can hormones cause weight gain?
Yes. Changes in estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormone, cortisol and insulin all influence appetite and where fat is stored. Testing these is a core part of our metabolic workup.
How much protein do women need to lose weight?
Many women do best with roughly 30 grams of protein per meal, adjusted to body size and activity. Enough protein preserves muscle during weight loss and keeps you full.
Is strength training important for weight loss?
Very. Muscle is the most metabolically active tissue and declines with age. Strength training two to three times a week helps protect metabolism, blood sugar control and bone health.
The path to vibrant health starts here
We see patients virtually in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan and Texas. Start with a brief application so we can understand your goals.