Weight Loss Blues, Reasons You’re Not Losing Pounds

Weight loss is difficult even under the best of circumstances. But, losing the pounds and keeping them off is just about impossible if you neglect certain things. For example, If you sleep more than 9 hours of sleep a night, you may be the envy of your friends, but it could be too much.

And, less than five hours can also be linked to weight gain. Both amounts can throw off the way your body makes the hormones that control your appetite and hunger. And if you don’t feel rested, you may skip your workouts, too.

 

 

 

Weight: Drink Water

Between 2 and 6 cups of clear, plain water each day can help you lose extra pounds. Water has no calories at all, so it satisfies your thirst without adding weight. And when you drink enough water, you may be less likely to grab sodas, juices, or coffee drinks packed with sugar. High calories in sweet drinks can add up to a big pounds gain.

 

Weight: Eat Often And Healthy

When you space out your meals too much, your metabolism slows down and isn’t able to burn off all the calories you eat in your next meal. Those extra calories wind up on your body. And you may overeat because you’re too hungry. Try eating smaller portions, and eat more often.

 

Weight: Brown Bag It

OK, you hate to cook. But if you eat most of your meals at restaurants, it may be harder to keep your weight under control. Even so-called light dishes may have more calories than you realize. And we’re not just talking about dinner, either. People who eat lunch out daily can weigh up to 5 pounds more than those who brown-bag it.

 

Weight:  No Sit, Sit, Sit

Your desk job or TV obsession may make it harder for you to drop those pesky pounds. When you sit most of the time, your body can lose its ability to know when you’ve eaten too much and you overeat and gain weight. Even brief exercise breaks during the day can help you stay healthy. Get up for three 10-minute walks around your daily schedule.

 

Weight: Workout

Exercise is a great way to lose weight as it burns calories and builds muscle mass. Avoid out for high-sugar sports drinks and protein bars, too. While they can help quench your thirst or give you an energy boost post-workout, they are very high in calories.

 

Weight: Avoid Alcohol

Wine, beer, or mixed drinks, alcohol has calories that add to your daily amount. If you often have 3 or more drinks a day, you’re more likely to gain weight or be overweight, no matter what type of alcohol you drink. Stick to light or moderate drinking, like one glass of wine with dinner. That may actually help keep you from gaining the pounds.

 

Weight: Avoid Stress

Stress can kill. One way you might be fighting it, is to eat when you really don’t need food. Get that stress under control.

 

Weight: Sluggish Thyroid

If this tiny gland in the front of your throat lags on the job, you could gain as much as 5 to 10 extra pounds. Your thyroid makes hormones that control your energy level and how your body breaks down food. If you don’t make enough of them, it can be hard to shed pounds. You may also feel bloated because your body holds on to too much water and salt. If you think you might have a thyroid problem, talk with your doctor. Medication can help.

 

Weight: Medications To Blame

Some drugs you take for health problems could make you gain some poundst. For example, steroids can change your metabolism and make you feel hungrier. You then may overeat and gain extra belly fat. Even antihistamines that calm your hay fever could cause a gain. They lower a chemical your body makes to control your appetite, so you may sneeze less but eat more.