6 Hidden Reasons You Can't Lose Weight
Are you trying hard but you just can’t seem to budge any weight and are left wondering if the extra kilos will ever come off?
Hidden reasons you can’t lose weight
There are many reasons why you may find it difficult to lose weight. In this article, we jump into 6.
You are stressed out
Persistent stress is a significant factor in the progress of weight loss.
When the body is stressed out it's in a constant state of ‘fight or flight’.
In this state, the hormone cortisol increases which increases appetite and may also ramp up motivation in general, including the motivation to eat!
We also tend to make poorer food choices such as high sugar or fatty foods when we are stressed and this can lead to weight gain.
You aren’t getting enough sleep
You may think that cutting back on sleep to get to the gym on time is a great choice for your health and fitness however if you don’t get enough sleep it can cause you to gain weight. Sleep deprivation messes with your metabolism and causes it to slow down.
It can also increase ghrelin the hormone that stimulates appetite, making us reach for that secret food stash more often than we should! Getting enough sleep will help reduce stress and control your appetite.
You exercise but don’t address your diet
I exercise so I can eat anything I want, right? Umm, unfortunately, this isn’t the case. If you continue to eat an unhealthy diet it can be counterproductive. It’s important to make changes to your diet and portion sizes to assist your weight loss.
Writing down everything you eat and drink for a week can make you very aware of the choices you are making and how much you are eating and drinking.
You are eating too little
While eating too much is generally associated with weight gain, it may seem a little strange to ask if you are eating enough. However, if you don’t eat enough food or you skip meals your body will naturally protect itself and go into starvation mode.
This will cause the metabolism to slow down and store food as fat. As a result, it will make it more difficult to lose weight.
Too many sugary drinks
When changing our diet we sometimes forget to assess the fluids we are drinking. Picking up your morning coffee which has 2 sugars in it, the coke you have with lunch or those cheeky alcoholic beverages on the weekend can add a lot of additional sugar into our diet without realising it.
It’s important to remember that some juices and smoothies which are marketed as ‘healthy’ can also add a lot of additional sugar into your diet, affecting your waistline.
You have a medical condition
Some medical conditions such as a thyroid imbalance or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can cause you to gain weight and make it harder to trim down. Also, hidden food allergies or intolerances can make it difficult to lose weight.
Speak to your health care professional and ask for further testing to make sure you don’t have any hidden conditions or intolerances.
Do any of these hidden reasons you can’t lose weight show up in your world?
When it comes to losing weight there are no short cuts. It takes time, patience and perseverance. Avoid trying a quick fix as you have the potential to do more harm than good when trying to lose weight. Combine a fresh whole food diet with exercise, sleep, stress reduction and also go to your health care professional to discuss your individual needs.
Pam Hird helps women and men prioritise their health and wellbeing.
As a naturopath, nutritionist and personal trainer she helps them take control of their mental health and various health conditions through natural medicine and healthy lifestyle changes.
She gives realistic ways to help create a happier and healthier life.
When she isn’t running her business, you can find her on the hockey field or creating some delicious food for her kids.