7 Possible Reasons Why You're Not Losing Weight

Sedentary lifestyles are one of the major causes of weight gain and obesity. Also, people with sleep problems have a slower metabolism and their hunger hormones are affected, so they tend to eat more.

Reviewed and approved by the pedagogue in physical education and nutritionist Elisa Morales Lupayante.

Written by Daniela Echeverri Castro

Last update: 05 August, 2022

It’s true that diet and exercise are key to losing weight and keeping it off. However, what isn’t so true is to say that this is the only thing you need to do to achieve your ideal weight. In fact, according to research, there may be other possible reasons why you’re not losing weight. 

If you’re eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly but still are not losing weight, some of the following reasons could be the reason for not getting results. Here are seven possible reasons why you may be struggling to lose weight.

7 possible reasons why you’re not losing weight

First of all, keep in mind that the following keys cannot and should not replace a medical diagnosis. For a personalized treatment of the possible health problem you think you are facing, it’s best to consult a medical professional.

You’re not getting enough sleep

Studies have revealed that people who have trouble falling asleep or sleeping less than five hours have a slower metabolism, and their hunger hormones such as leptin and ghrelin are affected.

Leptin is the hormone that tells the brain when to stop eating. Ghrelin (produced in the stomach) stimulates hunger. To give a solution to this, one of the possible reasons is to have a good sleep routine with at least 8 hours of sleep daily.

You’re not losing weight because you’re consuming hidden sugar

Hidden sugar can be present even where you least think about it. Unbeknownst to you, you may be consuming it in considerable amounts. You do this through energy bars, cereals, rehydration drinks, sauces, and spreads.

To avoid this, it’s very important that you read the label very well before buying your products. You could avoid those containing refined sugar. You can also consult a nutritionist for more specific information according to your goals.

You’re counting calories and not nutrients

Obviously, when we want to lose weight, our calorie portions should be smaller. However, there are many people who are obsessed with this detail. Thus, they forget that there are very important nutrients that should be included in a healthy diet.

In this case, the most important thing is to think about the quality and not rely only on calories, including foods with contributions of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

You spend a lot of time sitting

A sedentary lifestyle is one of the major causes of overweight and obesity. Many times, you may think that there’s no time to exercise, but in reality, there’s really just a lack of interest. The recommendation from the WHO is to do at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, whether that be walking, running, jogging, or cycling, among other things.

You don’t take the time to cook

The combination of a sedentary lifestyle with a poor diet is one of the worst enemies of good weight. Many, due to lack of time, choose to eat frozen food, fast food, or any combination of junk food.

The solution is to start taking more time out of the week to prepare a healthy dinner and, especially, to prepare a good breakfast, which is a very important issue for many reasons.

You’re not losing weight because you’re dealing with a hormonal problem

Many times, you may try everything to lose weight, but on the contrary, you keep gaining it. In this case, the recommended thing to do is to consult a doctor. This is because the weight gain could be the result of a hormonal disorder, such as hyperthyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, and insulin resistance.

By consulting your doctor, he or she will be able to tell you what treatment to follow in order to improve this condition. In addition, if it’s confirmed that the problem is a hormonal condition, it’s a good idea to start including healthy proteins, vegetables, algae, and essential fatty acids in your diet.

You’re not consuming significant portions of essential fatty acids

Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are found in high concentrations in fish.

For many years, meal plans and weight loss diets became enemies of fats. Today, there are many “low-fat” products that promise better nutrition. Despite this, obesity and overweight rates are also on the rise.

One common mistake you may make when trying to lose weight is not including healthy fats in your diet, such as the fatty acids found in flaxseed oil, fish oil, nuts, and seeds. These types of fats have several benefits for the body, such as lowering cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease.