Maintaining a fitness routine and eating healthy food are only a fraction of what you need for weight loss. Several factors determine your weight, such as genetics, hormones, and stress levels. If you are wondering why you have not been losing weight even after implementing all the strategies that you know, here are five reasons for your fruitless efforts:
1. You have a hormone imbalance
Before you look for weight loss e-books online, you might want to consult your doctor to find out if you have a hormone imbalance. Most overweight people have insulin resistance, which makes it even harder to shed off some pounds. Leptin is responsible for regulating the amount of fat that you store. If you are leptin-resistant, losing weight becomes a challenge because you store almost all the fat that you consume.
2. You do not drink enough water
Besides staying hydrated, water helps with portion control, especially when you drink it before meals. Eating food that has high water content, such as fruits and vegetables, fill you up faster, thus making you eat less. Research suggests that drinking cold water can discourage sugar cravings and boost metabolism.
3. Your weekend diet is too relaxed
Taking a break from your strict diet is recommended, especially during weekends. If you do this, do not give yourself a more extended break than necessary. Remember that a few late night snacks, rich desserts, and night beers can spike your calories if you are not careful.
4. You expect too much too soon
Weight loss is usually a slow process. Therefore, you should exercise patience. Although you can lose weight at the beginning, the progress slows down over time. Thus, have realistic expectations and do not be stressed when the weight doesn’t budge, as this might make it worse.
Most people assume that eating right and hitting the gym are enough for weight loss, but that is not the case. Several factors come into play. If your weight loss efforts are futile, consider these four tips. If the problem persists, consult a doctor because you might be having an underlying medical condition.
