3 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight (and What to Do About It

Many of us find ourselves trying to lose weight only to be met with frustration and ultimately failure. When it feels like you’re doing all the right things, from working out, to eating well, it’s easy to find yourself wondering, “What on earth is going on?” 

Even though you may be convinced you’re doing everything right, sometimes you may be making mistakes you don’t even realize. Beyond that, there may be certain medical conditions or lifestyle circumstances that are hindering your weight loss. If you find that you’re not losing weight as quickly as you would like, here are some of the most likely culprits.

Age

As we get older our metabolism slows down. The same tricks that worked in our 20’s no longer work over the age of 75.  In our younger years the simple act of just being alive all day could burn a considerable amount of calories!  As our metabolism slows down we require fewer calories, and more exercise. It’s a good idea to use a calorie calculator which is often offered for free on apps like My Fitness Pal. 

You’ll be able to find an estimate of what your daily calories consumed versus calories burned should be to help you get a better idea of the steps you need to take. More often than not we’re consuming far more calories than we should be eating for our body type.

Stress

Stress can have all sorts of effects on our well-being, from our ability to sleep to our ability to be productive. Losing weight is no exception. When we’re stressed, our bodies produce excess cortisol. This excess in cortisol can make it more difficult to shed pounds. 

Although we can’t always simply snap our fingers and make stress go away, we can make small efforts to reduce the amount of stress we are exposed to on a daily basis. Perhaps it’s your job or a toxic relationship. Find ways to live a more zen lifestyle and expose yourself less to things that leave you feeling anxious. Your body and mind will ultimately thank you for it.

Not Tracking Your Foods

If you’re having a considerable amount of trouble losing weight, it may be because you’re not staying accountable for what you’re eating. Start keeping track of everything you put in your mouth from morning to evening. Even though those seemingly innocent snacks may seem like they don’t add up to much, over the course of the day, they can equate to an entire meal. Be mindful about what you eat, and keep track of it all in a food diary. At the end of the day add it all up and be honest with yourself about whether you’re eating more than you truly need.