The challenge of losing weight becomes compounded for those people who experience resistance to weight loss. Certain medical conditions, such as Cushing's syndrome and hypothyroidism, not only cause weight gain but make losing weight nearly impossible. For some people, the physical and psychological impact of chronic stress reduces their chances of successful weight loss. For others, weight loss becomes more difficult after shedding pounds and finally hitting a dreaded weight loss plateau.
Cushing's Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome occurs because the body's level of the hormone cortisol becomes highly elevated. The extremely elevated cortisol level leads to fat deposits and weight gain, particularly around the midsection, the upper back and the face. Other symptoms include acne, slow wound healing, easy bruising, muscle weakness, fatigue, depression, high blood pressure and headache. Cushing's syndrome may be caused by the use of corticosteroid medications or by a cortisol-excreting tumor on the pituitary or adrenal gland. Losing weight with Cushing's syndrome often requires medical treatment of the condition itself.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland, located at the front of the neck, releases hormones that control metabolism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland ceases to produce enough of these hormones. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include unintentional weight gain, depression, fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain and constipation. The slowed metabolism that accompanies hypothyroidism also makes it very difficult to lose weight with diet and exercise alone. Treatment with thyroid-stimulating medications to regulate metabolism often helps facilitate weight loss.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress may inhibit weight loss for some people. Physically, chronic stress causes elevated levels of cortisol, to a lesser extent than Cushing's syndrome. The chronically elevated cortisol leads to slow weight gain, particularly around the midsection. Psychologically, chronic stress may lead to depression and impulsive choices when it comes to diet. Physical activity and exercise may fall by the wayside for someone who is suffering from chronic stress.
Weight Plateau
Weight loss plateaus occur for some people after a period of steady weight loss. During weight loss, both fat and muscle are lost. Because of the loss of lean muscle mass, the body's metabolism begins to slow down, which finally causes weight loss to stall. Following the same routine will maintain the weight, but it won't force the body through a weight loss plateau. Increasing activity and decreasing caloric intake is the only way to restart weight loss.
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