Struggling to Lose Weight? Here’s What Might Be Going Wrong

Weight
loss
can
feel
like
an
uphill
battle,
full
of
unexpected
twists
and
turns.

If
you’re
finding
yourself
stuck,
it
might
not
be
for
lack
of
effort
but
perhaps
because
some
essential
aspects
of
your
routine
need
tweaking.

Let’s
break
down
some
common
pitfalls
that
could
be
hindering
your
progress.

Struggling to Lose Weight
Struggling
to
Lose
Weight,
infographic


You
Might
Be
Overdoing
the
Cardio

cardio

Cardio
might
make
your
body
hold
on
to
energy
instead
of
burning
fat.


Cardio

is
a
pillar
of
any
fitness
regimen,
lauded
for
its
benefits
for
heart
health,
disease
prevention,
stress
reduction,
and
sleep
improvement.
However,
when
it
comes
to
weight
loss,
there
can
be
too
much
of
a
good
thing.

Excessive
cardio
might
cause
your
body
to
hold
onto
energy
reserves
rather
than
burning
fat,
especially
if
you’re
not
consuming
enough
calories
to
support
your
energy
expenditure.

According
to
the

American
Heart
Association

(AHA),
the
general
recommendation
is
to
stick
to
150
minutes
of
moderate
exercise
or
75
minutes
of
vigorous
exercise
per
week,
with
potential
increases
up
to
300
minutes
for
those
who
feel
up
to
it.


Skipping
Weightlifting
in
Your
Routine

Weightlifting
isn’t
just
for
bodybuilders.
Incorporating
strength
training
into
your
routine
is
crucial
for
boosting
metabolism
and
building
lean
muscle
mass,
which
burns
more
calories
even
at
rest.



If
your
workouts
focus
solely
on
cardio,
you’re
missing
out
on
these
benefits.

Aim
for
at
least
two
sessions
of
moderate
to
high-intensity
strength
training
each
week,
integrating
weights
into
exercises
like
squats
and
arm
raises
to
maximize
fat
loss
and
muscle
gain.


Neglecting
Proper
Recovery

Neglecting Proper Recovery

Rest
is
just
as
important
as
activity.


Without
adequate
recovery
,
your
body
doesn’t
have
the
chance
to
repair
and
strengthen
itself.
This
oversight
can
lead
to
decreased
performance
and
stunted
progress.

To
maximize
recovery,
vary
your
workout
focus
daily,
mixing
in
days
dedicated
to
different
muscle
groups,
light
cardio,
or
complete
rest.
This
strategy
helps
prepare
your
body
for
more
intense
workouts
ahead.


Prolonged
Sitting

Prolonged Sitting

Our
modern
lifestyle
often
involves
long
periods
of
sitting,
which
can
counteract
your
weight
loss
efforts.

Even
regular
workouts
might
not
fully
mitigate
the
health
risks
associated
with
extended
sedentary
behavior.

To
combat
this,
integrate
movement
into
your
routine
wherever
possible.
Stand
periodically,
take
walks,
or
perform
light
exercises
throughout
your
day
to
keep
your
metabolism
active
and
avoid
the
pitfalls
of
a
sedentary
lifestyle.


Not
Modifying
Your
Diet

Weight
loss
fundamentally
relies
on
creating
a
calorie
deficit—burning
more
calories
than
you
consume.
However,
simply
eating
less
isn’t
enough

what
you
eat
matters
significantly.



To
achieve
and
sustain
weight
loss,
focus
on
a
balanced
diet
with
a
healthy
mix
of
macronutrients.

Limit
your
intake
of
simple
sugars
and
saturated
fats,
and
choose
a
variety
of
proteins
and
complex
carbohydrates
instead.


Cutting
Out
Essential
Macronutrients

Some
diets
promote
the
elimination
of
entire
macronutrients,
like
carbohydrates
or
fats,
but
this
can
be
detrimental
to
your
health
and
weight
loss
goals.
Each
macronutrient
serves
important
functions
in
your
body,
so
instead
of
cutting
them
out,
opt
for
healthier
choices.

Include
unsaturated
fats
and
lean
or
plant-based
proteins
in
your
diet,
and
prefer
complex
carbs
that
provide
longer-lasting
energy.


Overeating
Healthy
Foods

It’s
easy
to
think
that
as
long
as
the
food
is
healthy,
you
can
eat
as
much
as
you
want.
However,
overeating,
even
healthy
foods,
can
contribute
to
weight
gain.
Foods
high
in
healthy
fats,
such
as
avocados
and
nuts,
are
particularly
calorie-dense,
making
it
easy
to
overconsume.

Pay
attention
to
portion
sizes,
eat
slowly,
and
listen
to
your
body’s
hunger
cues
to
avoid
consuming
more
calories
than
you
need.
Using
smaller
plates
and
bowls
can
also
help
control
portions
without
feeling
deprived.


You’re
Not
Drinking
Enough
Water

  • Water
    is
    crucial
    not
    just
    for
    hydration,
    but
    also
    for
    maintaining
    efficient
    metabolic
    processes.
  • If
    you’re
    not
    drinking
    enough
    water,
    your
    body
    can’t
    operate
    optimally,
    which
    may
    impede
    your
    weight
    loss
    efforts.
  • Staying
    well-hydrated
    also
    helps
    in
    controlling
    hunger,
    as
    sometimes
    thirst
    is
    confused
    with
    hunger,
    leading
    you
    to
    eat
    when
    you
    actually
    need
    water.

As
stated
by

CDC
,
aim
to
drink
at
least
eight
glasses
of
water
a
day,
or
more
if
you
are
active
or
live
in
a
hot
climate.


Insufficient
Sleep

Lack
of
sleep
disrupts
hormonal
balances
that
control
appetite,
often
leading
to
increased
hunger
and
calorie
intake.
Ensuring
you
get
enough
quality
sleep
is
as
important
as
your
diet
and
exercise
routine
in
achieving
weight
loss.

Chronic
sleep
deprivation
may
also
slow
down
your
metabolism,
making
it
harder
to
lose
weight
even
if
you’re
eating
well
and
exercising.


*Try
to
establish
a
regular
sleep
schedule
and
create
a
bedtime
routine
that
promotes
relaxation
and
sleep
readiness.


Chronic
Stress
Leading
to
Weight
Gain

Chronic Stress Leading to Weight Gain

Stress
releases
cortisol,
a
hormone
that
encourages
fat
accumulation,
especially
in
the
midsection.


Stress
triggers
the
release
of
cortisol,

a
hormone
that
can
lead
to
fat
storage,
particularly
around
the
midsection.
Managing
stress
through
techniques
like
meditation,
deep
breathing,
or
yoga
can
help
mitigate
its
impact
on
your
weight.

Additionally,
chronic
stress
may
lead
you
to

seek
comfort
in
high-calorie
,
sugary
foods
as
a
quick
source
of
energy
and
emotional
relief,
compounding
weight
gain.

Engaging
in
regular
physical
activity
can
also
be
an
effective
stress
reliever.


Medications
That
Interfere
With
Weight
Loss

Certain
medications
can
contribute
to
weight
gain
or
make
it
difficult
to
lose
weight.

If
you
suspect
your
medications
are
impacting
your
weight,
discuss
alternatives
with
your
healthcare
provider.
Medications
for
conditions
such
as
diabetes,
depression,
and
high
blood
pressure
are
often
culprits.

Be
proactive
in
asking
your
doctor
if
weight
gain
is
a
possible
side
effect
and
what
steps
you
can
take
to
counteract
this
issue.


Health
Conditions
That
Hinder
Weight
Loss

Some
medical
conditions,
such
as
Cushing’s
syndrome,
depression,
or

PCOS
,
can
significantly
impact
your
ability
to
lose
weight.

Addressing
these
health
issues
with
professional
guidance
can
be
crucial
to
progressing
in
your
weight
loss
journey.

It’s
important
to
manage
these
conditions
not
only
through
medications,
but
also
through
tailored
lifestyle
changes
that
can
help
mitigate
their
effects
on
weight.

Regular
follow-ups
with
your
healthcare
provider
can
help
adjust
your
treatment
plan
as
needed.


Hitting
a
Weight
Loss
Plateau

It’s
normal
to
reach
a
point
where
weight
loss
slows
down
or
stalls—this
is
called
a
plateau.

When
this
happens,
reassessing
your
diet
and
exercise
plan
to
introduce
new
variations
can
help
reignite
your
metabolism
and
continue
making
progress.

Adding
new
types
of
physical
activity
or
increasing
the
intensity
can
challenge
your
body
in
new
ways,
which
is
often
enough
to
overcome
a
plateau.
Also,
consider
whether
your
calorie
intake
needs
adjusting
as
you
lose
weight,
since
your
energy
needs
may
have
decreased.


How
to
Solve
This

Explore
Non-Surgical
Weight
Loss
Options
at
Bariendo
Greater
Tampa

Bariendo
Greater
Tampa
stands
as
a
pivotal
hub
for
Central
West
Florida,
particularly
for
those
seeking
non-surgical
weight
loss
solutions.

This
center,
in
partnership
with
BayCare
Hospital
Wesley
Chapel,
offers
a
variety
of
procedures
designed
to
help
individuals
achieve
their
weight
loss
goals
without
the
need
for
surgery.

One
of
the
key
offerings
is
the

non-surgical
ESG
treatment
in
Tampa,
FL
,
which
has
garnered
attention
for
its
effectiveness
and
minimal
downtime.

This
procedure
is
part
of
a
comprehensive
approach
that
includes
personalized
care
plans
and
follow-up
support,
ensuring
that
patients
not
only
lose
weight
but
also
adopt
healthier
lifestyles
for
sustained
success.

Consult
Health
Professionals

Seek
advice
from
a
nutritionist
or
dietitian
to
tailor
a
diet
plan
to
your
specific
needs.

A
fitness
trainer
can
ensure
you
are
performing
exercises
correctly
and
efficiently.
Regular
medical
check-ups
can
help
identify
any
underlying
health
issues
that
may
affect
weight
loss,
such
as
hormonal
imbalances
or
metabolic
conditions.


Final
Thoughts

In
conclusion,
successful
weight
loss
involves
more
than
just
cutting
calories
or
working
out.
Stay
patient,
stay
consistent,
and
most
importantly,
listen
to
your
body.

Sources

1.
Heart


American
Heart
Association
Recommendations
for
Physical
Activity
in
Adults
and
Kids

2.
CDC


About
Water
and
Healthier
Drinks