Of all the questions I get, this one is the most frequent: Why can't I lose weight?
There are usually one of two things going on in this situation. One: You are losing weight, it just isn't showing up on the scale or it isn't showing up where you expect it to. If you're losing inches, but not losing weight, that's a sign that you're losing body fat and gaining muscle, something the scale doesn't reflect.
The other part of that is that our bodies determine where the fat comes off. Maybe you lose some from your face or your arms or your calves when, all along, you really want to lose it from your abs or thighs. You may think this is a sign of failure, but all it really means is that your body is doing what it's supposed to: It's losing fat and it will get to those stubborn areas in its own good time.
Two: You really aren't losing weight and it's because of your diet, your exercise, your lifestyle or a combination of all of those.
I discuss these reasons and more in my latest FAQ, Why can't I lose weight? and I even offer some ideas for what to do about it in What to do if you're not losing weight.
Hopefully, you'll find some helpful suggestions if you're struggling with this issue and be sure to leave a comment about your own experiences. Do you feel like you can't lose weight no matter what you do? How do you monitor what you're doing to find out what the problem is? Leave a comment and tell us about it.
After losing 125+ lbs in a year, I started gaining weight…sometimes, I would gain up to 20 lbs in 3 or 4 days (not exaggerating). I was still working out, still eating well, etc., but the scale was going up and up. Turns out, my hypothyroidism was not well controlled and my medication needed adjusting. That was 2 years ago. Unfortunately, I am still adjusting my meds, but at least it isn’t as extreme as before. I am able to maintain my weight loss now, instead of gaining it back. However, I am still unable to lose new weight…my thyroid is still off a tiny bit.
When this first happened, I was going crazy. I tried eating less (got down to 100 cals a day…still gained), working out more (2+ hrs a day of intense cardio), different vitamins and suppliments (don’t bother…save your money), etc. I thought it was me…I was doing something wrong.
So…my lesson is this: if you are losing weight, then it stops and you start gaining (without changing anything), go see your doc. It could be your thyroid. Don’t drive yourself crazy.
*1000 cals a day, not 100…eek!
Iam on the road all the time its hard I can’t find anything healthy than a hamburger.do you have any suggestions for me. Also iam trying out p90 x does your body need sweat to lose weight in the ab area ?
Hi I am 21 years old and I have done every diet possible and excercise routine possible…since I was 16 and have not lost any weight! I look at my legs and they are still jiggly, i may have early spider veins, and I am tired most of the time. Almost everytime I come in contact or dust I get swollen glands…almost all the time. I have taken depression and anxeity medication in the pats i.e. depakote…which is extremely close to lithium. What can I do?