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Reasons you can't lose weight

Posted by on 28 March 2010 | 0 Comments

You're doing your best to slim down, but the scale doesn't seem to budge. Sound familiar? "Weight loss revolves around all aspects of your lifestyle - sleep, stress, even mood," says Weight Watchers nutrition adviser, Emma Stirling*. "And if you're neglecting one of these, you may be sabotaging your success." Read on to find out if one's affecting you. 1. You're skimping on sleep "If you don't sleep enough, your body looks for another way to find energy," says Stirling. "More often than not, that means you end up overeating just to stay awake." Plus, she adds, when you're exhausted you're less inclined to make smart food choices, and may even reach for 'quick fuel' - think sugar-laden or starchy products like cakes or biscuits. Aim for seven to nine hours of shut-eye a night. 2. You're not combining diet and exercise Working out doesn't mean that you can eat whatever you want. You'll gain muscle, which is great, but you won't see your shape change significantly until you cut back on the kilojoules, too. 3. You're stressed out Stress works similarly to sleep deprivation, in that many people reach for food to cope. Plus, many people avoid the gym when they're anxious or overloaded, thinking they don't have time. But a good workout can be a great stress reliever. 4. You look at food as the enemy "Restricting your favourite foods, or targeting foods as 'good' and 'bad', will only set you up for a binge," says Stirling. "The key to weight loss is overall kilojoule reduction. Include the foods you like, but eat them in sensible portions." And remember that eating after exercise is a must. "Don't skip meals, post-workout, thinking you'll burn even more kilojoules," says Stirling. "Your body is looking to refuel and recover and needs the right combo of carbs and protein." She recommends a balanced snack like drinking yoghurt, that also helps you rehydrate. 5. You haven't tried a new approach Don't give up if your first attempt at weight loss isn't successful or you reach a plateau. Mix it up. "Switch your type of workout and include lifting weights or a new class and try following the Simply Filling technique. Try, try again — sooner or later your persistence will pay off," says Stirling. Source: Emma Stirling BSc MHND APD, Scientific Advisor - Nutrition