Why Am I Not Losing Weight?
Are you working hard but still not losing weight? Before you read on, read part 1 of this series, Why am I gaining weight?
Everyone is different and for each individual, weight loss resistance might have a different root cause. Here are the most common reasons I see clients fail to lose weight:
Your goals are unrealistic. Goals are an essential part of weight loss but many people have goals that are unrealistic. Many clients think they can lose a lot of weight in short period of time. Many clients don’t realize the amount of perseverance it takes and give up when they begin to feel overwhelmed. Instead, set realistic, short-term goals that get you moving out of your comfort zone. Each time you reach your goal, set another one. Over time, these small steps add up to serious results.
Self talk. You can’t heal a body you loathe. Have you ever stopped to consider the things you believe or think about yourself? If not, do it. Write these things down. Notice the pattern—do you believe you’re unworthy? Do you believe you don’t deserve to be happy? These are lies. You deserve happiness, health, love, and success.
Emotional eating. Eating food should be an enjoyable experience but when you use food as a tool to cope with sadness or stress, you might not even realize you’re eating or what you’re eating. Begin to deal with getting a handle on the emotions that drive you eat compulsively or mindlessly (research out of Cornell says we make about 200 mindless food-related decisions daily!). Learn to sit with and observe your emotions and thoughts to begin to break the cycle of emotional eating.
Quick fixes. The pills and the teas, the DVDs, and the books that all promise a quick fix need to go. They do not work. Accept the fact that there are no quick fixes. Begin by making positive lifestyle changes and commit to sticking with the changes and making them habits.
Malnutrition. Are you eating too little in an attempt to lose weight? I’ve been there so trust me when I say, it does not work and in the long run, it causes you to store more fat, especially around the mid-section. By restricting food, you tell your body that it’s in survival mode. In survival mode, your body looks out for you and stores fat. This is the opposite of what you want. For your body to fully nourished, you need to consume sufficient amounts of high quality, nutrient dense food. It takes energy to make energy.
Prioritizing weight loss over health. Weight loss and health are not the same thing. Losing weight does not mean you’re healthy. I have clients that are thin and suffer from high blood pressure, reflux, etc. Remember, weight gain is a symptom of a bigger issue that we need to discover the root cause of. I work with clients to discover their root cause. By addressing the root cause and bringing the body back into a state of balance and optimal health, weight loss will be a natural byproduct.
Underlying root causes include adrenal fatigue, gut dysbiosis, hormonal imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, and toxicities. Every single one of these can work against even the most dedicated person. If you’re struggling with one or more of these issues, even the healthiest food can contribute to weight gain.
Read part one in this series, Why Am I Gaining Weight?
I work with clients to uncover underlying issues and root causes that lead to weight loss resistance. By finding your root cause and addressing the underlying symptoms, we work together to heal your mind and emotions, heal your gut, rebalance your hormones, and ultimately restore your health and rebalance your body. Want to learn more about your own health? Get in touch to set up your free 15-minute consultation. I offer in-person, phone, and virtual consultations.