Why can't i lose weight? 7 possible reasons
I can't lose weight! It is typical to panic when despite all the precautions, we are unable to lose weight. But why does this happen? If we are following a diet and do sports at least 3 times a week, when the weight does not drop it is very frustrating. the reasons are there and we explain them to you below. But first, there is a video useful to understand what the shape of the body is.
1 - You have started a wrong diet
Not all diets are the same and most importantly not all types of diets are suitable for any individual. When we decide to get in shape and lose weight, choosing a diet that suits your body is an important first step to be able to lose weight.
Probably one of the first reasons why you can't lose weight is the wrong diet. Many times it happens to be attracted to a diet that is in fashion or is promoted by a famous person, or we found it independently on the web. But it is wrong to believe that you can lose 10 kilos in a month: you run the risk of immediately regain all the lost kilos and it is a vain promise!
A diet that works is first and foremost a diet that matches your lifestyle, your food preferences and nutritional needs. Decreasing calories, yes, but without depriving yourself of any nutrients because, in that case, the diet would be unbalanced.
The Mediterranean diet is a model of healthy eating that includes the right amount of:
- carbohydrates (energy needed for everyday activities)
- proteins (to build and regenerate the cellular apparatus)
- fats (essential for metabolic functions)
Only the Mediterranean diet harmonizes all these macronutrients, enriching them with fruit and vegetables and using high quality fats such as extra virgin olive oil.
This type of nutrition works not only because it is a diet, but because it helps you change your eating habits in the way that suits you best. Being tailored to your physical characteristics, it helps you regain shape by losing up to 1 kilo per week (gradual weight loss).
Therefore, ban on drastic diets, yes to a diet that helps you lose weight without stressing the body. Choose a diet that you can continuously adapt to your lifestyle, your age and your psychophysical state.
2 - You make too many cheats
What kind of diet would it be? The problem, however, arises when the cheats become many more than in the real diet days. Indulging in a whim every now and then is right as well as necessary, often in many diets nutritionists insert one or more "wild card" meals in which you can decide what to eat. The important thing not to be underestimated is that one should not take advantage of these meals to avoid losing all the progress made previously. If you have noticed that you have gone too far, that you binge on too much calorie foods, do not fast, it is not the correct solution. Rather, proceed normally with the other meals of the day, making the fiber prevail.
3 - Sports activity is not adequate
Unfortunately, most people have a sedentary job that forces them to sit at their desk for many many hours. It follows that physical activity is almost zero. If we then think that we often use the car or public transport to get to the workplace, the situation worsens. For example, what you could do is avoid the elevator in any situation, preferring the stairs to facilitate some movement. If, on the other hand, you manage to carve out an hour after work or in the morning, it is better to dedicate yourself to a brisk walk that will have a positive effect on mind and body. Sport in general, in addition to facilitating weight loss, will help speed up the entire metabolism.
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4 - You don't drink enough water
The amount of water to drink in a day depends on many factors. The ideal would be to drink at least 1.5 / 2 liters of water a day to help drain fluids. Natural water is preferred, avoiding carbonated water which is harmful to the stomach.
The daily amount of water also affects weight loss because it helps eliminate excess fluids that often stagnate making it difficult to lose weight. Some experts suggest drinking before meals to have a greater sense of satiety. Others argue that often when we are hungry it is actually simply the dehydrated body that "wants to drink", so before we grab a random snack, let's try drinking a nice glass of water.
5 - You have a sluggish metabolism
The metabolism in the course of life becomes physiologically slower, but this is an aspect that affects everyone, both men and women of all ages.
Very often the problem is the many nutritionally unbalanced diets that have somehow "confused" the organism that now no longer responds.
To accelerate the sluggish metabolism and resume regular weight loss, it is important to rely on a healthy diet and do a lot of movement, taking advantage of all possible opportunities to get some exercise.
It may seem absurd, but even skipping meals or reducing the calories of meals on your own can block the metabolism, so be careful not to take the wrong steps, it would be counterproductive.
6 - The role of the psyche
Emotions play a fundamental role throughout our life and also affect weight.
Being attracted to certain foods is a drive orchestrated by a zone of the brain called the hypothalamus.
Often, therefore, the smell or sight of a particular food makes us relive the moments and emotions connected to it, leading us to eat it even if we are not actually hungry.
Our unconscious relationship with food is very complex and that is why we often eat to fill a sense of loneliness or anguish. We establish the relationship with food since childhood, when we are given a bottle to calm the pain, or a candy to comfort a whim when we are a little older.
It follows therefore that food takes on a consoling role for us and we will turn to it whenever we want consolation. Emotional hunger takes over biological hunger.
7 - The influence of hormones
Surely among the reasons that lead to say "I can not lose weight", there are hormonal changes. Hormones are regulated by the thyroid, but often for a whole series of factors (age, genetics, etc.) they can undergo changes especially when the thyroid gland is malfunctioning (hypothyroidism); therefore it is difficult to lose weight and, even if you eat little, you get fat.
Hormones are also involved during the menstrual cycle which can lead to significant weight changes. It would be good to avoid weighing yourself during the days of menstruation, because the weight could be increased and this would only make us fall into despair. Physical upheaval during menopause can also be one of the factors why people tend to put on a few pounds despite following a low-calorie diet.
I can't lose weight: other aspects to consider
The needle of the balance is motionless and just does not want to go down, you cannot understand why, but what you can do is contact the doctor who may decide to investigate with specific tests. In addition to all the aspects already mentioned above, there are other events to consider that can play a fundamental role in the path to regain the line.
- The sleep
Getting enough sleep helps you lose weight because it regulates the production of leptin, the hunger and satiety hormone. Those who sleep less than 6 hours may find it more difficult to lose weight. The ideal would be to sleep at least 8 hours a night, without interruption, in order to wake up fresh and rested in the morning.
- Muscle mass
Each individual has a percentage of lean mass and fat mass in the body. For example, two women of the same age and height can eat the same thing, but while the one with the most developed muscle mass will not have major consequences on the scale, the second, with a tendency to gain weight, will have undergone weight gain. This is because the basal metabolic rate (resting energy expenditure) is higher.
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Effective remedies to start losing weight right away
There is a technique called "mindful eating" which can be an effective tool or aid for weight loss.
It is simply about eating without distractions, savoring each bite, listening to the signals that the brain send when the sense of hunger has been satisfied.
Mindful eating can help you lose weight and reduce the tendency to frenzy and uncontrolled eating.
Here are some rules to follow for a perfect fit mindful eating:
- eat without allowing yourself distractions (television, cell phone, etc.)
- eat slowly and chew your foods well. Try to smell and recognize flavors
- when you feel full, stop eating and drink some water.
As you can see, it takes very little to eliminate excess body fat and return to your ideal weight.