Does this sound familiar? You’re striving for optimal health and wellness by eating nutritious foods and working out, but you still haven’t reached your “happy weight.” As a certified nutrition coach, I always remind my clients that weight loss is made up of a variety of components of a healthy lifestyle—our bodies are complex. But it’s not just about eating healthier or staying active; it’s about how we feel about ourselves.

With weight loss culture, women are constantly bombarded with fads to help them shed those unwanted pounds. You may have tried all the popular diets and exercise regimens but still aren’t seeing the results you’ve hoped for. You might be frustrated, thinking, “I can’t lose weight no matter what I do!” 

Don’t worry, ladies! I’m here for you and ready to uncover what could be contributing to your inability to lose weight and feel your best. Ask yourself the following questions the next time you put on your fave pair of jeans and can’t get them up. It’s time to get to the bottom of this!

Is Your Body in Prime Condition for Weight Loss? 

Some things are simply out of your control and can lead to difficulty losing weight. You may have hormone changes, a slowed metabolism, insulin resistance, or something else affecting your ability to lose weight. Certain medications can also interfere with your body’s ability to shed those unwanted pounds.

Another essential factor to consider is insufficient sleep, which can directly affect your body’s ability to lose weight. Aim to sleep seven to nine hours per night to help you reach a healthy weight. Also, consider the importance of gut health, which heavily correlates to losing weight.

Do You Have Any Food Sensitivities or Hormone Imbalances? 

Food sensitivities could be to blame if you’ve been struggling with weight loss! Dairy and gluten are some of the most common food intolerances, so try to identify these first. I work with my clients to determine foods that may trigger a negative response to help discover those food intolerances. Foods your body is sensitive to can cause inflammation in your digestive tract, making weight loss nearly impossible—another testament to the importance of gut health!

Hormone imbalances can be another sneaky reason you struggle to see those weight loss results. Your hormones play a key role in your metabolism, appetite, and energy. When your hormones are imbalanced, you could experience weight gain, cravings, skin issues, brain fog, stubborn fat on your middle section and thighs, and poor sleep. Sticking to a healthy lifestyle can help rebalance your hormones naturally (we can work together on uncovering this, too!).

Is Your Stress off the Charts?

A massive part of the inability to lose weight can be due to stress (you can even stress yourself out about being unable to lose weight!). When your stress levels are high, your cortisol levels spike. You’ll see an effect on your metabolism and crave comfort foods. Lower stress levels can help motivate you to meet your daily challenges and goals, but when you’re constantly stressed, that’s where the issue lies! 

Focus on stress-reducing activities such as:

• Breathing exercises
• Meditation and yoga
• Journaling
• Listening to music
• Going for a walk

Stress can lead to changes in your appetite and metabolism, affecting your ability to lose weight. Make stress management a priority for your overall health and wellness journey. Once you focus on this, you’ll be better able to reduce your stress levels and get back on track! 

Are You Maintaining a Balanced Diet for Optimal Health and Wellness? 

Food is medicine! Be sure to balance your plate with protein, healthy fat, and fiber. The goal is to maintain a balanced diet that works for you and your body. Forget about the diet trends and miracle weight-loss solutions. Nobody likes to feel restricted with their diet. You have permission to enjoy your favorite foods on your weight loss journey!

Avoid focusing on quick solutions such as restricting what you eat and counting calories or macros. And if you need a reminder, sweet treats and snacks are fine in moderation! You can also practice the 80/20 rule (eat nutritious food 80% of the time and enjoy your favorite treats the other 20%). When your body and diet are in sync, you’ll see results.

Do You Practice Self-Care and Compassion?

One last thing to remember—and it’s honestly one of the most important things—have some self-compassion as you’re on this weight loss journey. Negative self-talk can affect your mental well-being and won’t help you reach your “happy weight.” You talk to yourself more than anyone else on the planet, so be sure to say the right things.

A crucial part of self-care is being kind to yourself. Remember, you can love your body and still want to change it or improve your physical health. Self-care is about loving yourself NOW instead of waiting for when you lose the desired 10 pounds. You’ll be amazed at how simply switching your mindset will help you on your journey!

Embrace the Components of a Healthy Lifestyle 

Adopt a well-rounded approach that takes all the pieces of your puzzle and fits them together. It’s about improving and healing to reach your version of optimal health and wellness. Focus on preventable care that’ll ultimately change the course of your life. Working on goals such as wanting more energy to keep up with the kids or improving your bloodwork creates a domino effect in your life of better health overall! My approach to weight loss resistance is unique in that I help you find the root cause of your issues and work with you to find a solution. With my Simple Metabolic Reset System program, you’ll take charge of your health in a new way. Book a consultation call with me today to learn more information—I’m ready to guide you every step of the way. Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more healthy tips and inspiration!