“Normal” But Still Feeling Off? Let’s Talk.

Written By Dominic Schultz

You ever have one of those weekends where everything just feels good? A little sunshine, some great food, a couple drinks, golf with friends, maybe even some pool time. That was me this weekend.

While we were out on the course, one of my buddies brought up something that I hear all the time at work. He said, “I’m doing everything right, but I still don’t feel like myself.” Low energy, brain fog, no motivation, stubborn weight that won’t budge. Sound familiar?

It’s Not Just You

Sure, sometimes motivation slips. We all have those weeks. But more often, this is your body’s way of saying it’s overwhelmed. Too much stress. Not enough recovery. Blood flow isn’t getting where it needs to go. Your system is stuck in survival mode.

And when that happens, your metabolism slows down, not because it wants to, but because your brain and body don’t feel safe enough to go full throttle.

What Your Body Is Really Waiting On

Here’s something to think about. Your body doesn’t just flip a switch and decide to start burning fat and making energy. It needs a signal from your nervous system that says, “We’re good. Let’s do this.”

That green light comes when your cells are able to use fuel efficiently and when blood is delivering oxygen and nutrients to the right places. If either one is off, your body holds back. It’s protecting you. Helpful if you’re being chased by a bear, not so great for everyday life.

The Clues Are In Your Blood

If you’re stuck in that weird zone of not feeling awful but definitely not feeling great, bloodwork can tell us a lot. Here are a few key markers I always look at:

  • Fasting Insulin
    This shows us how hard your pancreas is working, even if your blood sugar looks normal.

  • Triglycerides and HDL Ratio
    If this number is high, it usually means your body is struggling to process fats properly.

  • HbA1c
    This one tracks your average blood sugar over the past three months. Higher numbers make fat loss and clear thinking a lot harder.

  • hs-CRP
    This is a marker of inflammation. High levels can slow down your metabolism at the cellular level.

  • GGT
    Yes, it’s a liver enzyme, but it also tells us if your body is dealing with oxidative stress or toxic overload.

  • AM Cortisol
    Too low and you’ll feel flat all day. Too high and you might be wired but exhausted with trouble sleeping or building muscle.

  • Full Thyroid Panel
    TSH is only part of the picture. We need to know what your Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and antibodies are doing to really understand your metabolic rate.

What You Can Start Doing Now

You don’t need to wait until you feel completely burned out. Try a few of these simple things and see how your body responds.

  • Move Throughout the Day
    Try to hit 8,000 to 10,000 steps. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Walk the dog, take the stairs, stretch between tasks.

  • Cold Exposure
    Start with 30 seconds in a cold shower and build up. Cold helps redirect blood flow and wake up your mitochondria.

  • Zone 2 Cardio
    Think of a pace where you can still hold a conversation. Do this two or three times a week. It’s great for your brain and metabolism.

  • Eat Protein and Fiber With Every Meal
    This combo helps keep your blood sugar stable and supports muscle recovery.

  • Breathe Better
    Use your nose. Slow it down. Make your exhales a little longer than your inhales. This calms your nervous system and improves circulation.

Ready to Dig Deeper?

If you’ve been stuck in a rut and nothing seems to work, it might be time to stop guessing. We can run the right labs, figure out what’s going on under the surface, and build a plan that actually works for your body.

You don’t need to settle for “I guess this is just how I feel now.” We can do better than that. What do you think?

Dominic Schultz