If you’ve ever wondered why can’t I lose weight, you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of Americans are currently trying to lose weight. More women than men are attempting to drop pounds at any given time and many people report having trouble getting to their goal.
Losing weight gets even harder as you get older and your hormones change but there are many reasons why you may be unable to lose weight. Understanding why can help you overcome the hurdles and finally get where you want to be.
You Have a Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones play a role in successful weight loss, particularly for women. If you suffer from PMS, irregular menstrual cycles, or are fatigued, your hormones may be interfering with your goals. Likewise, if you are going through menopause, you may find that you have a harder time dropping the weight. Talk to your doctor about ways you can shift extra pounds.
You Always Do the Same Workout
If you can’t lose weight, but you’re going to the gym and eating right, it might be time to have a look at your workout program. If you always do the same things in the same order for the same amount of time, chances are your body has gotten used to them and you aren’t getting as much benefit.
The best thing to do is to vary your workout with many different activities to keep your body working. Be sure you’re doing cardio and weight training for the best results.
“Why Can’t I Lose Weight?” Because You Don’t Have a Food Journal
Keeping track of your food intake is an integral part of successful weight loss. If you cannot lose weight, it could be because you’re eating more than you realize.
By keeping careful track of every bite that goes into your mouth with a food diary, you have a better sense of where you might be overdoing it and where you can make healthy adjustments to better control your calorie intake.
You Skip Meals
You might think skipping meals is an easy way to drop some pounds. However, when it comes to reasons you cannot lose weight, this is one of the biggest. When you don’t feed your body every couple of hours, you’re actually putting it into starvation mode, which means you hold onto body fat rather than burning it. By eating regularly, you encourage fat burning, so stop skipping meals.
You Drink Too Many Calories
Many people forget to take into account the calories and fat they get from their drinks. Soda, cocktails, smoothies, juice, milkshakes, and sweet tea all contain sugar which means calories. Too many calories and you’ll have a hard time dropping that weight.
If you’ve made healthy eating and exercise choices and still don’t see the number on the scale going down, take a look at what you’re drinking. Stick to water, sugar-free seltzer water, or unsweetened tea to get things under control.
Summing Up
If you keep asking “why can’t I lose weight?” there are many lifestyle changes you can make. Cutting calories, limiting sugar, increasing fiber and protein, and getting plenty of exercise are steps you should be taking for success. Let the Frank Institute help you reach all of your health goals with tips and advice you can use every day.