First thing’s first: If you are eating healthy, hopefully you’re feeling better! Getting rid of processed foods and feeding your body real nutrients is so important for your overall health. (So you’re already ahead of the game!)
But even though the quality of your food choices has improved, there are still several other reasons why you might not be losing weight despite eating healthy.
So, if you’re eating healthy but not losing weight, the following are 10 factors you may not be taking into consideration.
Calorie Intake
Even healthy foods have calories, and quantity does matter!
You won’t lose weight if you consume more calories than your body needs. Make sure you’re in a calorie deficit — meaning, you’re burning more calories than you’re consuming.
Portion Sizes
Even healthy foods can lead to weight gain if you’re eating large portions! Be mindful of portion sizes and try not to overeat, even if the food is healthy.
Hidden Calories
Be aware of hidden calories in sauces, dressings, and other condiments. They can add up quickly and sabotage your weight loss efforts.
Exercise
While diet is crucial for weight loss, exercise also plays a significant role. Make sure you’re engaging in regular physical activity to burn extra calories and improve your overall fitness.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can make it harder to lose weight. If you suspect a medical condition might be hindering your progress, consult a healthcare professional.
Stress and Sleep
Chronic stress and lack of sleep can interfere with your body’s ability to lose weight. Both can disrupt your hormones, making it harder to shed pounds.
Muscle Gain
If you’re also exercising, you might be gaining muscle mass, which is denser than fat. This could make you leaner and healthier without a significant change in weight.
Water Retention
Sometimes, your body retains water, especially if you’ve recently changed your diet or exercise routine. This can mask weight loss on the scale. It’s essential to look at trends over time rather than focusing on daily fluctuations.
Metabolic Rate
Your metabolic rate, influenced by genetics and muscle mass, affects how many calories your body burns at rest. Some people naturally burn more calories than others.
Lack of Patience
Weight loss takes time. It’s not always a linear process, and there will be periods where you might not see the scale move despite your efforts. Be patient and focus on overall health improvements.
In my 35 years of experience as a personal trainer and health coach, if you want to lose weight, tracking your calories and tracking your exercise minutes can be very eye-opening. Stay the course — you didn’t gain the weight overnight, and you can’t lose it overnight either!
With persistence, patience, and hard work, you’ll reach your weight loss goals.
9 Blue Zone Foods to Increase Longevity
Blue Zone foods promote longevity while giving you serious health benefits in daily life.
How do we know? The truth is in the numbers! The longest living social circles of people use healthy habits mixed with the Blue Zones diet.
The following nine foods are found in the diets of people who are outliving the rest of us.
9 Blue Zone Foods to Increase Longevity
Strength Training for Women Over 50: 11 Best Moves
There are many factors involved in maintaining good physical and mental health as you age, but one of the most important things to consider as you grow older is weight training.
These strength training exercises are proven to get results for women over 50!
Strength Training for Women Over 50: 11 Best Moves
Sugar Detox: How To Quit Sugar In 6 Steps
It’s hard to find the best way to quit sugar when it’s in so many of our foods! That’s why it’s important to cut back in a smart, sustainable way since doing it cold turkey can be pretty jarring for your body.
Here, we’ll take a look at some of the sugar basics, why you crave it, and how to quit sugar without making yourself totally miserable.
Sugar Detox: How To Quit Sugar In 6 Steps