Have you been working out every day, cutting back on sugar, and stopping yourself from eating too much? Yet you’re still far from your ideal weight? This is a common scenario for a lot of people from all walks of life.
It may be frustrating, but the key here is to work smart. You need to get to the bottom of why you’re not losing as much weight as you want, and from there you can try solutions that will yield better results.
1. Your diet isn’t balanced.
The low- to no-carbs diets seemed like a good idea at first. But then people started eating more bacon, high-fat steak, and other such food items. The result was that most of the lost weight came back and they returned with a whole slew of other health problems.
The key to losing weight is not cutting off an entire food type from your diet. It’s about having a balanced meal. A balanced meal has the right amounts of protein for muscle building, carbohydrates for energy, and fiber for good digestion and a healthy immune system.
Neglecting to consume carbs or fats will not only make it hard for you to lose weight, but it will also negatively impact your health. If you’re unsure what kind of diet to follow and what foods you can eat, it’s best to consult a doctor or a fitness trainer.
2. You may have underlying health problems.
Sometimes, it’s not about what you eat or anything you do. It’s about what’s going on inside you. Some medical conditions make it much harder to lose weight and can even drive weight gain.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), for example, can wreak havoc on your hormones, which makes it hard to manage your hunger. Sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder where you stop breathing for seconds while you sleep, may have the same effect.
Hypothyroidism is also a common culprit. This is a condition where your thyroid is sluggish and doesn’t function as well as it should, resulting in disrupted metabolism. Aside from having a hard time to lose weight, signs of hypothyroidism include constant fatigue, joint pain, dry skin, muscle weakness, hair loss, and even depression. If you suspect that you have this condition, consult your Provo doctor for thyroid treatment.
3. You lack sleep.
Sleeping? How is that related to losing weight? You may be asking these questions right now, but sleeping actually has a central role in regulating your hunger and appetite. When you are sleep deprived, the level of leptin, the hormone that suppresses appetite, drops. On the other hand, the hormone ghrelin, which triggers feelings of hunger, spikes.
If you want to lose as much weight as you can, you have to sleep at the right time for eight hours.
4. Your metabolism has slowed down.
Your metabolism can be slowing down, which is a natural result of aging. When this happens, you have to improve your exercise routines, lift weights, and eat dishes that hasten metabolism.
Achieving your dream body and ideal state of health is never easy for anyone. There may be some things that are hindering you from achieving your results, but with the right support and knowledge, you can look amazing, healthy, and full of life.
