Introduction
Losing weight is often a slow process that depends on multiple factors. Healthy weight loss usually takes a lot longer than we might want it to, but you shouldn’t be discouraged. However, sometimes, despite all your efforts, you can fail to notice any results.
There could be many reasons ranging from an inappropriate workout routine, consuming too many calories, lack of sleep, poor habits, or rarely – having a medical condition. Some factors may be more evident, while others can be more subtle but hinder our progress nonetheless.
Keep on reading to learn more about the most common reasons why you fail to notice considerable weight loss. This way, you can reassess your strategy and ensure you’re not committing any mistakes that can interfere with your weight loss journey.
8 Most Common Reasons Why You Aren’t Losing Weight
1] You’re Underestimating Your Portion Sizes
All things considered, we should start with the most obvious and prevalent mistakes that people make when trying to lose weight. As you probably know, to shed weight, we need to be in a calorie deficit. That means that you should be consuming fewer calories than you can burn.
Therefore, unless you’re tracking your calories daily, it may well be that you’re underestimating your calorie intake and eating more food than you’d like.
A crucial weight loss tip is to estimate your energy needs using a calorie calculator online. You can then consult with a nutritionist to help you establish a balanced and appropriate diet to make sure you’re not making any mistakes.
2] You’re Overestimating Your Calorie Burn
Alternatively, the next most common mistake after overeating is not being physically active enough. While it’s not as groundbreaking as dieting, being physically active is also crucial for losing weight. When you’re first starting, you might not be that well familiar with the principles and prospects of the various workout programs.
Aim for at least an hour of physical activity a day to ensure you’re making progress. Additionally, avoid sitting and lying in front of the TV for long periods. Instead, take walks, stretch, and try to stay as active as possible during the day. You can also find tons of workout tips and information on making the most out of your exercises on the Health Web Magazine.
3] Being Impatient or Setting Unrealistic Goals
Well, you might be following the proper diet and workout routine, but losing weight takes time, and you need to be patient to start noticing results. Patience is key to many things in life, but it’s also one of the best weight loss tips you can ever get.
Healthy weight loss often takes at least eight weeks to start noticing results. In this sense, it’s also critical to set realistic short and long-term goals to avoid any disappointment.
4] Feeling Under Pressure All the Time
Stress can take a toll on our bodies by leading to a cascade of hormonal and physiological changes. Chronic stress can become a contributing factor to high blood pressure, diabetes, weakened immune system, and more.
What’s more, according to a 2018 study, the constantly elevated cortisol levels accompanying chronic stress can play a significant role in developing obesity and being unable to lose weight.
5] Missing Out on Dietary Supplements
While it’s true that a nutritious diet and an individualized workout routine are the main culprits behind weight loss, there is also a way to speed up your progress. Sometimes, opting for research-backed dietary supplements can make the difference between slow results and actual weight loss.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity. For a starter, check out some One Shot Keto reviews and see what other people think.
6] You Could Be Hitting a Plateau
When you’re first starting on a weight loss journey, you may be noticing quick results even if your diet and exercise routine aren’t that well-polished. However, as time passes, everyone can reach a weight loss plateau.
That usually happens because your body has gotten used to the load and starts burning significantly fewer calories. Eventually, your progress can decline or even stop altogether.
One of the main reasons behind a weight loss plateau is doing the same workout over and over for more than several months. Other rare causes could be exercising too much or, contrary to your expectations, not eating enough calories to sustain your physical activity.
Don’t forget to check out the best weight loss supplements available. Sometimes they can help you break a plateau.
7] You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep.
According to a randomized trial from 2018, not getting enough sleep can significantly slow down fat loss, thus adversely affecting your body composition. Additionally, other studies show that sleep deprivation can contribute to obesity.
Therefore, if you’d like to lose weight, you should make sure you’re getting at least seven hours of sleep every night. Not only will that make your journey much easier, but it will also bring other positives to your life. Getting enough sleep will regenerate your body, strengthen your immune system, regulate your blood glucose, and make you healthier overall.
8] Having a Medical Condition and Taking Medications
Sometimes, having an underlying medical condition or taking medications can hamper your weight loss progress or even cause you to gain weight despite strictly adhering to a healthy diet and workout routine. Some of these include thyroid gland disorders, diabetes drugs, taking steroids, SSRI antidepressants, beta-blockers, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants. Consult with your doctor, do any lab tests if necessary, and reevaluate the drugs you’re taking at the moment.
Final Advice
Losing weight is never easy, but sometimes we may fail to notice any progress. The eight common reasons for slow weight loss we’ve mentioned will give you a great place to start investigating the roots behind your concerns.
Most importantly, make sure you’re burning enough calories and not overeating – as these are some of the most common reasons for not losing weight.
Also, don’t forget to check the best weight loss supplements available on the market to get some extra nutrients.