A woman sitting before her laptop and questioning something while her hand is on her chin.

With 2023 here, many people have made the age-old resolution to start losing weight and live healthier lives. While weight loss resolutions are a great start, they often prove harder than people expect. Going from an unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy one overnight is tough. As a result, people often get frustrated when struggling to lose weight quickly.

If you’ve determined to lose weight this year but are frustrated by the slow results, you’ve come to the right place. This article will look at the five most common reasons people struggle to lose weight, even though they’re trying their hardest. We’ll look at things you should do differently to help you accomplish your weight loss goals.

5 Common Reasons Why You Are Not Losing Weight 

Before you get too frustrated that you aren’t losing weight, understand that it’s a prevalent problem. Rather than giving up, however, the key to weight loss is to adapt and find out what works for you. Once you know what you need to do differently, weight loss will seem much more achievable.

Here are five of the most common reasons why people struggle to lose weight.

1. Poor gut health 

An obese woman pulling her extra belly fat with both of her hands.While there are dozens of potential reasons why you aren’t losing weight, gut health is typically at the top of the list. Unfortunately, when people think of gut health, they simply think it means eating and drinking healthily. However, gut health is more complicated than that. While eating and drinking low-fat, healthy foods help with weight loss, your overall gut health is just as important.

To maintain a healthy gut, you must have enough healthy bacteria to keep things clean and flowing. Healthy bacteria include probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, collectively known as your microbiome. Eating foods with these beneficial bacteria, such as yogurt or fermented foods, makes you more likely to lose weight.

2. Inconsistent habits

You can eat all the vegetables you want, but if you don’t exercise and drink lots of sugary drinks or alcohol, you may struggle to lose weight. At the same time, if you exercise regularly but eat junk and fast food, you may not meet your weight loss goals.

Therefore, it’s essential to have a concrete plan with habits that work in tandem with each other. This means having a healthy diet, a list of things to avoid or gravitate to, an exercise plan, and any prescription drugs or medicines you may need along the way.

3. Not meeting healthcare basics

A group of women exercising and stretching while being outside in a park.The basics of healthy living, such as getting a good night’s sleep and staying hydrated, are vital to losing weight. Everything inside and outside your body is connected, meaning every aspect of your lifestyle will affect your ability to lose weight. Here are some of the basics to keep in mind.

  • Drink lots of water
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Maintain an active lifestyle if you sit all day for work
  • Don’t overdo the alcohol
  • Find ways to reduce stress in your life
  • Medications, pregnancy, thyroid problems, and menopause can disrupt weight loss attempts

4. Diet and eating habits

If you don’t have any other health issues or conditions and still can’t lose weight, it often comes back to your eating habits. Common mistakes people make regarding food include overeating, eating too often, eating the wrong foods, or not thinking about what they’re eating.

5. Too many cheat days

We all love a good reward for hard work. However, if you’re serious about losing weight, you’ll have to keep the food and drink rewards to a minimum. Too many cheat days and rewards can undo your hard work and make it extremely difficult to lose weight.

A Doctor’s Guidance Is Key

A certified female dietician holding a skinfold caliper that measures body fat percentage.In addition to each of the reasons listed above, it’s also possible that your mental or physical health is preventing you from losing weight. From depression to thyroid problems, several medical conditions can have a detrimental effect on weight loss. Therefore, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor if you’re struggling to lose weight. Medical professionals can also offer advice or refer you to a dietician.

Finally, a doctor can prescribe Wegovy to assist you with your weight loss goals. Wegovy is an FDA-approved medication1 that helps control your appetite and promote feelings of fullness, making it easier to stick to diet changes. Even if Wegovy isn’t right for you, seeing your doctor is important if you’re trying to lose weight.

How Can I Accomplish My Weight Loss Goals?

Above all, it’s important not to get discouraged if you’re struggling to lose weight. After all, maintaining a healthy weight is a marathon, not a sprint. By implementing the advice in this article, seeing your doctor, and coming up with a sustainable weight maintenance plan, you can achieve your weight loss goals.

Reach Your Weight Loss Goals With Semaglutide

Semaglutide (the same ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic) is recognized for its success in helping people achieve sustainable weight loss. Medical weight loss medications can help you on your journey toward your ideal weight.

Book a convenient online consultation and health check followed by a lab test. Eligible individuals will receive a medical weight loss prescription with medications delivered directly to your home.

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References

[1] Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M. - Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management. J Investig Med. 2022 Jan;70(1):5-13. doi: 10.1136/jim-2021-001952;