Reasons Why the Weight Just Won’t Shift

Times have changed. In the past, losing weight was simply about making sure you burned more calories than you consumed. Nowadays, losing weight is more complicated than it used to be. We are 10% heavier than the past generations, despite the fact that our calorie intake is no different than theirs was. Let’s examine some of the reasons why losing weight seems more difficult than ever.

It’s because you’re obese

Can't seem to lose weight? Here's whyOkay, this is why you want to lose weight in the first place, you might say. The fact is that about two-thirds of the American population, ages 25 and over, are obese and the problem has been escalating for the past two decades. A person with a body mass index (BMI) equal to 30 or higher is obese. Obesity is now plaguing populations of all income levels. Unfortunately, the proliferation of foods that are high in fat and our sedentary lifestyles is causing this troubling trend. To add to this, being obese makes is difficult to shed pounds. Studies on obese people have shown even a 5% loss in weight to be extremely difficult to achieve. Those who do lose weight regain them in a short period of time. Frustrating, isn’t it? But don’t fret, by setting small goals, weight-loss is attainable. Baby steps, if you might say. Each tiny triumph will egg you on to another and help you stick to your program.

You exercise too much!

In general, our lifestyles have become more sedentary, so we push ourselves to exercise.  You have more pounds to shed and you need to burn more calories, so it only makes sense to exercise harder, right?  But spending extra hours working out may not exactly be the answer. Many people tend to over-exert themselves at the gym, only to overeat afterwards. The thing to remember is that exercise and a sensible diet always go hand-in-hand.  Exercise coupled with proper food choices is what you need for steady weight loss.

Can't seem to lose weight? Here's whyYou can’t lose weight because you’re on a diet again

This may seem like a contradiction. But think about it. How many times have you gone on a diet and failed? How many different kinds of diets have you tried? With so many fad diets being promoted on TV and the Internet, you may be jumping from one to another.

The wrong diet and depriving yourself of important nutrients will only make you even hungrier.  A balanced diet with the right amount of exercise is still the tried and tested way to achieve success in shedding pounds.

Blame it on plastic

Industrial chemicals are hard to avoid because they’re in food containers, toys, dyes, metal cans, and even your dental filling. Bisphenol A or BPA  is a hormone disruptor that has been blamed for birth defects, reproductive problems, cancer and obesity. Being exposed to BPA may be one reason why you’re gaining weight even though you’re not overeating. Experts recommend staying away from plastic and plastic-lined containers. Store food in glass bottles or jars, put your water in stainless steel bottles, and bring recyclable eco-bags when you do your marketing. Minimizing your exposure to weight-inducing chemicals can contribute, not only to weight loss, but to overall health management as well.