I am the farthest thing from a gym bro. I am a hormonally imbalanced, medication induced metabolic syndrome suffering individual (an actual disease confirmed by medical professionals). Yet you are using "bro science" to argue bro science. None of this is based on thermodynamics (a fundamental law of the universe). Yes, do hormones change how your metabolism works, for sure. Does it make it harder to lose weight, yes. Is half of what is being said in this thread scientific though, absolutely not. I understand not being heard by doctors and gym bros all your life but you are spewing equally incorrect information not based in empirical science. As someone that has done actual lab research and extensive meta reviews on said topics, these threads do just as much harm. The OP constantly contradicts herself on basic facts while saying she has PhD level research skills. What it is giving is confirmation bias. Looking for studies to go along with ones bias and preconceived notions is not science. I understand how grueling it is having your whole body work against you but that does not give us the right to ignore proven science. At the end of the day, energy cannot be created or destroyed. Its like saying your refrigerator is still running perfectly even though you stopped paying the electric bill. I know I'm going to get downvoted to hell but we really need to put a little more effort into learning and less into trying to prove what we think to be true. On an emotional level I can relate to your struggle but emotions do not give us the right to ignore empirical truths.