Maybe you know what it takes to lose weight, and have made major changes to your diet. You're exercising regularly. But despite your best efforts, those love handles just won't shrink, and you haven't seen the numbers on the scale drop. You still feel flabby instead of toned, and your clothes are still too snug. There are a number of factors that can thwart your weight-loss efforts, some of which may be out of your control.
Hidden Calories
You try to limit your calories, but it's possible you're taking in more than you think. Calories can hide in everything from your morning cup of coffee to your nightly glass of wine, including the handful of little candies or the few potato chips you swiped. If you're eating large portion sizes, you're taking in even more calories than you think you are. All those calories can add up quickly and counteract your weight-loss efforts. Keep a daily journal of everything you eat, and total your calories each day to make sure you're within the limits you set for your weight-loss goals.
Skipping Out on Strength
If you can't tighten up that flab and lose excess fat, maybe you're approaching exercise the wrong way. A regular rotation of exercises that includes and alternates aerobic activities, like running or walking, and strength-training exercises is important for building up strength and muscle tone. The more muscle you have, the more toned you'll be and the more fat your body will be able to burn.
Health Conditions
Sometimes a health condition can be at the root of your weight-loss woes. If you're accurately recording your daily calorie intake and exercising regularly without any weight-loss success, you may want to see your doctor for a checkup. Conditions like hypothyroidism -- underactive thyroid -- can cause unintentional weight gain or keep you from losing weight. Polycystic ovary syndrome and Cushing syndrome can also cause you to gain weight, despite a healthy lifestyle.
Lifestyle and Emotional Health
Getting older can make it more difficult to lose weight and fat. Aging slows your metabolism, which makes weight loss a bigger challenge. If you're depressed or anxious, suffering from sleep deprivation or feeling guilty about something, you may also have trouble losing weight. Drinking alcohol and taking some medications -- including lithium, tranquilizers and some antidepressant drugs -- may also make weight loss difficult.
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