3 Reasons You Are NOT Losing Weight

3 Reasons You Are NOT Losing Weight

With summer quickly approaching, many of you are looking to drop a few pounds and get into better shape. Maybe you want to get into that two piece bikini, or wear that pair of shorts you bought a year ago but have always been too insecure to wear, or maybe you want to break out that fitted tank top you recently bought.  Whatever your motivation, we all have a reason to follow our diet and keep up with our strength training and cardio routine .  However, all too often I see individuals who become frustrated with their weight loss process due to the fact that they are not seeing the expected results. You too may be making one of the following mistakes that brings your weight loss to a halt, impedes your progress, and may even lead to weight gain.

• You are taking your calories too low. The calories you consume are utilized as a source of energy. Energy then maintains body functions and sustains physical activity. When the amount of calories eaten is lower than the amount of calories burned, the extra energy is drawn from stored fat. When your body burns 3,500 calories from stored fat, the result is a weight loss of 1 pound. With this being said, reducing your caloric intake will lead to weight loss. However, cutting your calories too low will slow down your metabolism. Your metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories. A lower metabolism results in a decrease in the amount of calories burned. Why does this happen? Your body senses that it may be in starvation mode and begins to conserve energy by slowing down your body’s processes. Be careful not to go too low!!!
• You are eating too much. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight, which is one of the major effects of consuming more calories than what your body needs. Although calories are necessary for providing energy for the body, if you do not engage in physical activity to burn more calories than you take in, the energy is stored in the body as fat. Although healthy eating doesn’t require you to constantly count calories, consuming excess calories can lead to serious health issues. According to the American Dietetic Association, consuming 100 extra calories a day can cause you to gain 10 extra pounds each year. There has to be a happy median and because the number of calories differs for each individual, seeking assistance from a professional will tip the scale in the desired direction.
• Many individuals who are trying to lose weight fail to implement an exercise “routine”. When just beginning, the motivation is there. However, excuses have a tendency to find their way in and it becomes just a good intention. Following a well-balanced meal plan combined with an exercise “routine” both play a significant role in your weight loss success. You can’t do one without the other. Even if you eat a steady, healthy diet with the same amount of calories day in and day out (no significant changes), your waistline may still expand if you don’t move much. Also, if you’re not building muscle to boost your metabolism and burn calories even when you’re at rest, then you will find yourself becoming frustrated with the lack of results you see. People who don’t exercise cannot become physically fit.  It’s the exercise that stimulates change.

Eating too little, overeating, and lack of exercise are obvious reasons that you may not be losing weight. However, not having the right combination of all aspects can impede your progress and lead to frustration as you fight to tip the scale in the right direction. As individuals, we all have different body types, habits, and needs, therefore we must adjust accordingly. To get the best results possible from your diet and workout regimen, get more training tips, or if you’re frustrated with your current level of fitness and are looking for a personal trainer, contact us.