When Weight Won’t Come Off, Here’s What Could Be Going On

Why Your Liver Might Be the Reason You’re Not Losing Weight (Even if You’re Eating Clean)

If you’ve been trying to eat better, move more, and still feel like your body is hanging on to extra weight… you're not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong.

The truth is, weight gain (or the inability to lose weight) isn’t just about calories, carbs, or discipline. There’s something deeper going on in the body, and it often starts with an overworked organ that doesn’t get enough credit: your liver.

Let’s break this down in a simple, non-shaming way, so you can actually feel empowered to support your body and start moving in the direction you want to go.

The Liver’s Role in Weight (and Why It’s So Overlooked)

Your liver does a LOT. It filters toxins, balances hormones, breaks down fat, stores nutrients, and helps your body digest food. It’s like your internal clean-up crew, and it never stops working for you.

But when your liver gets overwhelmed (which is super common in our modern world), it can’t keep up. This is what’s known as a sluggish liver. And a sluggish liver has a harder time processing fat efficiently, so fat and toxins start to build up, often around your waistline.

This can happen even if you’re eating well and exercising. It’s not about how much you’re eating—it’s about how well your liver is able to handle what you’re putting in.

What Slows the Liver Down?

There are a lot of things your liver is up against, like:

• Processed foods, additives, and hidden chemicals

• Toxins we breathe, eat, or inherit from past generations

• Heavy metals (like mercury, aluminum, and copper)

• Viral load from things like Epstein-Barr or strep

• Medications, alcohol, caffeine, and high-stress lifestyles

• High-protein, high-fat diets (yes, even “clean” fats)

Over time, all of this builds up. Your liver gets bogged down, your bile (which breaks down fat) weakens, and the body starts to store fat instead of using it. And that shows up as stubborn weight gain, fatigue, acne, bloating, and more.

What Helps? (This Part is Hopeful)

Here’s what you can start doing to give your liver some relief:

🍃 Skip the fats in the morning.
Give your liver time to do its clean-up work first thing in the day. Start with hydrating fruits, juices, or smoothies instead.

🌿 Celery juice, daily.
Yes, it works. 16 oz on an empty stomach in the morning can help your liver flush out toxins and get back on track.

💧 Hydrate more than you think you need.
Lemon water, cucumber juice, coconut water, and juicy fruits like melon are all amazing.

🥬 Lower overall fat intake.
Whether you eat animal protein or are plant-based, reducing fat gives your liver a break and lets it focus on healing.

🌱 Add healing foods.
Think: leafy greens, wild blueberries, papaya, apples, potatoes, herbs like cilantro and parsley.

It’s Not About Being Perfect, It’s About Supporting Your Body

Sometimes weight loss doesn’t happen right away, even when you’re doing everything “right.” That’s because healing the liver takes time. But the more you give your body what it truly needs, the more it can let go of what it no longer needs to hold.

This is deep, beautiful work. And it’s worth it.

Want to Learn More?

Much of what I’ve shared here comes from one of my most trusted resources:
🌀 Liver Rescue by Medical Medium (Anthony William)
This book dives deep into all things liver health, how it’s connected to weight, hormones, skin, fatigue, digestion, and so much more. If this post resonated, you’ll find so many ah-ha moments in those pages.

You can check it out here or find it wherever you get books.

You deserve to feel at home in your body again. It’s not just possible, it’s your birthright. And it starts with supporting the part of you that supports everything else: your liver.