6 possible reasons you're not losing weight

If you have been struggling with your weight, you have probably asked yourself this question more than once. The answer can be more complex than you would think. But by understanding the causes of weight gain and how they affect your body, you can take steps to avoid them.

The most common reason for weight gain is when you eat more calories than your body needs for energy, called overeating. This can happen when you eat more high-calorie foods.

Aside from that, here are some other causes of weight gain:

1. Lack of physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source . If you are not active, you may not burn enough calories to maintain a healthy weight.
2. Stress: Chronic stress can lead to weight gain Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source by triggering the production of the hormone cortisol, which can increase appetite and cravings for unhealthy foods.
3. Sleep deprivation: Not getting enough sleep can disrupt the balance of hormones that regulate appetite, leading to increased hunger and cravings.
4. Medical conditions: Certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source ), can cause weight gain.
5. Genetics: Weight gain can also be influenced by genetics Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source . Some people may gain weight more easily than others.

There are many reasons you may not be losing weight. Here are six of the most common ones and how you can resolve them.

1. When your calorie input and output are equal

One of the most common reasons for not losing weight is when the calories consumed and burned are equal. A calorie deficit is fundamental for weight loss. This means that you will lose weight if you consume fewer calories than you need. However, if your calorie intake is the same as your calorie output, your weight will not change.

When this happens, you should change your diet and exercise plan. You can do this by understanding how many calories you need to lose weight and restructuring your diet to eat fewer calories.

You should also incorporate healthier foods into your diet (e.g. fruits, vegetables and whole grains). There are also some foods that high in calories that you may not realise. Sugary beverages and certain cooking oils are just some of the foods that may be hindering your efforts.

2. Water retention

Water retention Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source is another common cause of weight gain. It is caused by eating too many salty foods, drinking too much water, and not getting enough exercise. So, if you do not lose weight after putting in the work, water retention may be to blame.

Usually, water retention is common during the first few weeks of a new diet or exercise program, and should go away on its own. Your body will eliminate the excess water as you persist with your weight loss program. If this does not happen, try cutting out excess salty food, reducing your water intake, and speaking to your doctor for more advice.

3. Hormonal changes

Sometimes when people gain weight and can't lose it, it is because of their hormones. This happens to some women. But it can also happen to men. Things that cause hormone changes Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source can include stress, not eating healthy foods, not sleeping enough, and taking certain kinds of medicine. You can ask your doctor if you have a hormone problem.

While there is no single cure for these hormonal issues, there are several options that might help. This includes making some changes to your lifestyle, such as getting better sleep and reducing stress levels.

4. Not Enough Sleep

Sometimes, a lack of sleep can cause weight gain. When you don't get enough sleep, your body produces less leptin (a hormone that controls hunger) and more ghrelin (a hormone that stimulates appetite). This causes you to feel hungry and eat more. In one study Trusted source Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Educational Institution Public Health and Medical Studies Go to source , people who slept less than five hours a night were more likely to be overweight or obese than those who slept six hours or more.

If you're not getting enough sleep at night, try:

• going to bed earlier
• making sure the bedroom is dark and quiet
• avoiding caffeine after noon
• doing some light exercise before relaxing with a book or TV show
• making sure your bedroom is quiet and cool

Medications can also help with short-term sleep problems such as insomnia.

5. You're at your maintenance weight

If you're not losing weight, it could be because you've reached your "maintenance" weight. Your body knows how to maintain a certain weight. If you’re in a healthy weight range Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source , your body will fight to keep you there by increasing your appetite and lowering your metabolism.

If you suddenly drop below your maintenance, your body will counteract this and work to get your weight up. To work against this, you'll have to cut calories further or increase exercise to lose any more weight.

6. You have a certain medical condition

A medical condition can prevent you from losing weight. Some conditions can cause a person to gain weight, while others make it difficult for them to lose it.

If you have any of these conditions, they could be preventing you from losing weight:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source : A condition that causes a hormone imbalance. It causes cysts to grow on the ovaries. The main symptoms are acne and not having regular periods. It also makes it harder to lose weight.
• Hypothyroidism: The thyroid gland makes hormones that help your body's metabolism. Metabolism is how fast your body can use energy. Hypothyroidism Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source is when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough hormones and the person's metabolism slows down. This makes it hard to lose weight even if the person eats healthy foods and exercises a lot.
• Cushing's syndrome: This condition Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source causes your body to produce too much cortisol. This stress hormone affects how your body stores fat which causes weight gain.
• Diabetes: diabetes can cause weight gain. Insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels can make it difficult for your body to shed pounds.
• Depression: It can be hard to lose weight when you're feeling down. Depression Trusted source PubMed Government Source Database of Biomedical Research Go to source can cause low self-esteem and low energy. This makes it hard to keep up with a diet and exercise plan.

If you have any of these conditions, your doctor may recommend medications to treat them.

Some medications Trusted source National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Government Source Biomedical Research and Literature Go to source can cause weight gain as a side effect. They do so by either affecting the appetite or slowing down metabolism.

The key to successful weight loss is making small changes you can stick with. Here are some tips on how to improve your weight loss results:

1. Eat fewer calories than you burn: Eating more calories than you need causes your body to store the excess as fat. Therefore, you need to reduce the number of calories you eat.
2. Exercise regularly: If you are more active, you will burn more calories. Exercise also helps keep your muscles strong, which is important for your metabolism.
3. Get enough sleep: Sleep helps regulate hormones that control appetite. It also helps reduce stress, which can help prevent you from overeating or eating unhealthy foods when you're stressed out.
4. Treat underlying conditions: If you have diabetes, hypothyroidism, or PCOS, weight loss for you may mean treating and managing these conditions because they are directly linked to your weight gain

If you have already tried making lifestyle changes and are still not seeing results, it may be helpful to speak with a healthcare provider or a registered dietician. They can help you make changes that are best for you.

If you are still struggling to lose weight, you may be able to get help from a doctor. euroClinix is an online doctor service that offers clinically-proven weight loss treatments that, alongside a healthy diet and exercise plan, will help you lose weight for good. We can deliver the medicine to you as early as the next day so that you can start changing your life right away.