Why Have I Stopped Losing Weight?

When you first started the weight loss journey, everything seemed to be going great but then the progress slowed down or came to a halt. This difficulty  losing weight has you asking yourself, “why have i stopped losing weight”. Below are reasons why your hard work does not seem to be working anymore, and what you can do to get back on track.

Inadequate Protein Intake

Consuming proteins that constitute 30% of your daily calories will boost your metabolism by almost 100 calories, which results in consumption of fewer calories. Having a breakfast rich in protein will make you feel less hungry, reducing the desire to have a snack. It will also reduce cravings and prevent you from adding back the weight you had lost earlier. However, too much protein is known to slow down metabolism, which can affect the rate at which you are losing weight. Visit your nutritionist to get advice on whether to add to your protein intake or reduce it in order to get out of the plateau stage.

Consuming Too Many Calories

Keeping count of your calories looks like tedious work but it plays a huge role in weight management. You can use a calorie calculator or get help from the many online applications and websites available to help you keep track. You do not have to count your calorie consumption every day, but you can do it a few consecutive days a month. This will help you know if you are exceeding the recommended amount or are on track.

How Well Are You Sleeping?

Lack of enough sleep can affect your weight loss progress. Studies show that adults who do not get enough sleep have a high chance of becoming obese. Getting enough sleep is not only good for your physical and mental well-being but also for weight management. Researchers say that at least 8 consecutive hours of sleep every night will give your body enough time to heal and cells to regenerate.

Eating Too Often or Starving Yourself Too Long

Eating many meals, a day may work for others but not for you. This also requires you to have plenty of time to prepare all those small healthy meals so as to keep track of your calories, which may not be convenient for you. You can try intermittent fasting if the above is not working for you. Intermittent fasting lets you fast for a period of time- maybe several hours a day before having your meal. Consult with your doctor or nutritionist before going for this option. On the other hand, if you hit a plateau after observing a specific meal plan for a long time, it’s time to change it. One way you can do this is by adding a few more calories to your intake.

Underlying Health Issue

Some medical conditions like sleep apnea, hypothyroidism and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome may make losing weight harder than it should be and could be the answer as to why you have stopped losing weight. In addition, there are certain medications that can make you gain weight instead of losing it. If you’ve been following an instructor’s directions and your nutritionist’s guidelines to the letter but are still not losing weight, then it’s time to visit your doctor. If you are on medication that is making you gain weight, talk to your doctor about other possible options.