Why You Can't Lose Weight: What They Don't Tell You
- Mar 1, 2017
- 6 min read
Can't seem to lose weight because the number on the scale never decreases -- or because you can never stick to a "healthy" diet? Do you think losing weight is impossible because you can't even find time for the gym?
If you answered 'yes' to any of the questions above, I have some good news for you.
Let's hear it!
Your weight is just a number. Your weight does not define you. Your weight does not determine how much weight you can lift. Your weight does not determine the amount of sleep you get each night. Your weight does not determine your personality. Your weight does not define you. Your weight is just a number.
Easier said than done, I know. But it is true. And I am going to give you some reasons as to why you cannot lose weight that you have probably not heard before.
Reason #1: You are not losing weight because you are gaining muscle
If you are lifting in the gym (machines, cables, free weights, body weight, etc.), your body is building muscle. Adipose tissue (fat) takes up more surface area than muscle tissue does. Let me say that again for those of you in the back -- FAT TAKES UP MORE ROOM THAN MUSCLE. Please refer to the picture below if you do not understand what I mean.
Which leads me to the next reason:
Reason #2: You are constantly checking the number on the scale
Again, please refer to the picture above. If you weigh yourself every day or even once every week, there is not going to be much change. This is because when you put in the work to lose weight, your body automatically builds muscle.
When you want to see if you are losing the weight (or I prefer- toning the body), check the clothes you are wearing. Your jeans fit a little looser around the waist or the sleeves aren't as snug around your arms.
A couple of my clients have chosen to purchase their ideal jean size (which again... it's just a number), but they claim this gives them motivation to fit into the jean size they want. Every few weeks, they will try these jeans on and can tell they are getting closer and closer to their goal.
Reason #3: You are eating carbs before you workout
Macronutrients are the important parts of any food that you consume. That is: protein, carbs and fat. With that being said, there are different amounts of eat that a person needs to consume on a daily basis and that all depends with what your goals are (stay tuned, I will have a blog about this later).
Recent research has suggested that carb loading AFTER your workout will help with weight loss and sustainability. This is because your body looks for carbs for energy. If you are eating carbs prior to your workout, your body will immediately search for carbs to provide energy for your workout. Instead, if you are in the gym to lose weight, we want your body to find the fat storage to use for energy in order to literally burn off adipose tissue and essentially build muscle.
I understand this may be challenge for the people who hit the gym later in the day. For those people, I would suggest tailoring your macros around the time you lift in the gym. This takes a lot of hard work (stay tuned, I will have a blog about how to make it a little easier in the future), but it is all about MINDSET. And how hard you are willing to work to reach your goals.
Resource: http://theshawnstevensonmodel.com/podcasts/
Reason #4: You are not taking your "inner bath"
Shawn Stevenson from The Model Health Show lives and breathes "your inner bath". This concept is something he designed to cleanse your body of the toxins that build up and are released while you sleep.
"Taking my inner bath is something I do when I first wake up in the morning. I drink about 20 to 25 oz of lukewarm water in order to cleanse my body of the toxins that are released when I sleep." -Shawn Stevenson
By doing this, you are literally starting from the top of your body and as the water runs down your internal organs, it is collecting all the particles that need to be released. This is essentially why you use the bathroom almost immediately after you wake up. Taking your inner bath only helps to collect and rid of the nasty.
Reason #5: You are not getting enough adequate sleep
Studies have shown that people have more success with weight loss when they are getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night. This is adequate sleep, people! You can get 8 hours of sleep a night, but if you are constantly waking up or restless, that is not adequate sleep.
Of course the only way to really track your sleep patterns is by having a professional sleep study done (sorry FitBit). This might be something worth checking into if you are having trouble sleeping.
Reason #6: You are not squatting
SURPRISE. Of course the Queen of Squats is going to tell you that you are not squatting. Buuuuut to back up my reasoning, studies have shown that the fastest way to weight loss is (diet... more on this later) and performing squats.
Side Story: When I first started out wanting to lift heavy, I began with a squat challenge. That meaning that I started out on Day 1 doing 25 body weight squats and increasing by 5 squats each day. I got up to doing 425 squats IN ONE. DAY. The crazy thing is, when I went for a new PR in the gym, I was lifting 215 lbs for 3 reps... And I wasn't even training with weight.
(Granted, I was not trying to lose weight -- I was becoming a powerlifter, but it is the simple fact that I trained without weight and could still lift heavy weight.)
Performing body weight squats that are lower than a 90 degree angle and doing them consistently will speed up the process of toning your lower body.
BUT, please keep in mind that there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to squat stance and other squat performance. Refer to this article for more information.
Reason #7: You are not doing yoga
Studies have shown that yoga is a popular alternative medicine approach to weight loss.
Yoga helps with mindfulness, wellbeing, stress management and control of the body's movements. In turn, this allows for more focus and mental clarity in order to lose weight and to be mindful of your body.
Resource: Patricia A. Sharpe, Heidi M. Blanck, Joel E. Williams, Barbara E. Ainsworth, and Joan M. Conway. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. March 2007, 13(2): 217-222. doi:10.1089/acm.2006.6129.
Reason #8: You are not giving yourself enough credit
Contrary to popular belief (your belief that is), you are killing it. Whether you are an avid gym go-er, the workout-at-home type, devoted cardio lover, or whatever you consider yourself... you are still doing more than the couch potato.
So, pat yourself on the back and don't be so critical. You are only human and IT IS OKAY to make mistakes.
It takes a lot of guts to admit that you need to make a change and it takes even more time and convincing of yourself that this is worth it.
Reason #9: You are not giving yourself enough time for change
Statistics show that it is easier to give up than it is to stick to a plan. Our society expects that eating a salad for dinner, they will wake up with Ryan Reynolds' six pack and Nicki Minaj's ass. But unfortunately, it does not work that way.
It takes dedication, it takes time, it takes blood, sweat and tears. But you can't be successful if you do not put in the effort.
You can't expect a job promotion if you do not excel in your current position; so why would you not excel in building a healthier body? You cannot cheat on your marriage and expect it to work; so why would you cheat yourself?
Change takes time. You know this -- allow yourself that time. Allow your body enough time to adapt. It is easier than you think.
Losing weight is hard. Toning your body is hard.
Shit is hard, do it anyways.
Check out these articles from Bodybuilding.com!
Disclaimer: Read at your own risk. I am not a health professional. You should seek professional advice if you feel your case is immediate. If you have an emergency, please call 911.
If you have questions or comments, please leave them below -- or you can contact me.
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