We often get asked, “Why can’t I lose weight?” While we wish there were a simple answer, it’s rarely that straightforward. Here’s a look at some reasons you might struggle with weight loss and how to address them.
Many people have tried fad diets or crash diets and failed to lose weight. Some of you might be exercising regularly but see no change on the scale. It can make you wonder if you’ll always be overweight and if there’s any hope for change.
If this sounds like you, you might be experiencing weight loss resistance.
A significant portion of the population, about 65%, is overweight, which increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic conditions. Yo-yo dieting also contributes to weight gain, and chronic diseases often have a nutritional aspect to them.
Diets often fail for various reasons. Many people I see want to diet for a short time and then go back to their old habits. Unfortunately, those habits are often what led to weight gain in the first place. Others look for quick fixes or pills and don’t want to make lasting lifestyle changes.
I tell my patients that if it took a certain amount of time to gain the weight, it will take a significant amount of time to lose it properly.
In my practice, I’ve observed that failing to identify underlying issues, repeatedly dieting, and not addressing behavioral or psychological factors can all interfere with weight loss.
To put it simply, weight loss resistance is when you can’t lose weight despite your efforts. Studies show that 95% of people on diets regain all the lost weight within five years.
Weight loss resistance involves much more than just counting calories. Several factors could be at play, including high stress, poor sleep, neurotransmitter imbalances that cause cravings, food sensitivities, digestive issues, insulin and leptin resistance, thyroid problems, toxins that slow metabolism and increase fat retention, and hormonal imbalances.
Conditions like diabetes can also impact your body’s ability to metabolize fat and build lean muscle. Many of these issues are tied to our fast-paced, high-stress society, but there is hope.
In my practice, I use a comprehensive approach to weight loss, starting with a personal health assessment, body measurements, diet history, and a three-day diet recall. Based on this information, we identify potential areas of resistance and use lab tests to confirm our findings.
We set goals tailored to each individual’s needs. Lab testing can involve traditional tests or functional tests, which examine metabolism and how different systems in the body interact.
Lab testing helps pinpoint why you might struggle to lose weight. Every person has a unique metabolism and stress factors. Functional lab testing can include a range of assessments, depending on the suspected issues.
Without lab testing, figuring out why you’re not losing weight can feel like guessing in the dark.
Treatment strategies can vary based on the test results and may include targeted supplements, specific exercise plans, stress management techniques, sleep strategies, switching to non-toxic products, behavior modification, and psychological strategies.
If you feel like you can’t lose weight, remember that everyone’s situation is unique. A combination of different strategies might be needed based on individual assessments and test results.
