You know those people who can seemingly eat an entire pizza, wash it down with a milkshake, go out for dessert, and still stay slim? One of my close friends has the eating habits of a young teenage boy, but is the skinniest person I know! I used to think I was just doing something wrong. That somehow, I wasn’t trying hard enough or I wasn’t disciplined enough. I spent YEARS beating myself up over this. Watching my portions, exercising regularly, doing all the “right” things, only to see minimal results on the scale. Sound familiar? Well, I’ve since done my homework, and I’m here to spill some truthful tea about why weight loss is such an uphill battle for some of us- and why it’s not your fault!
1. Thanks, Mom and Dad (It’s in Your Genes!)
No joke – up to 70% of your weight could be influenced by your genetics. SEVENTY PERCENT! When I learned this, it was like a lightbulb moment. All those times I compared myself to naturally slim friends? Turns out I was literally fighting against my own DNA!
Real Talk: If your family has a history of weight struggles, you’re not imagining things. Your genes really can make weight loss more challenging. It doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but it does mean you might need different strategies than your naturally slim friends.
2. The Hormonal Hustle
Hormones are key players in regulating your metabolism, appetite, and fat storage. As someone with hypothyroidism, I can tell you firsthand how hormones can throw a major wrench in your weight loss efforts. At the beginning of my journey, my untreated condition was messing up my metabolism and hiding me back. And it’s not just hypothyroidism – things like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and insulin resistance can make losing weight feel like trying to run through quicksand.
What Helped Me: Getting my hormones checked was a game-changer. If you’re doing everything “right” but still struggling, please talk to your doctor about checking your hormone levels. These can be great indicators of what is happening with your body. Knowledge is power, friends!
3. It Could Be Your Medications
Certain medications can cause weight gain or make it harder to lose weight. Common culprits include antidepressants, corticosteroids, beta-blockers, and some diabetes medications. These drugs can increase your appetite, cause fluid retention, or slow down your metabolism.
Pro Tip: Never stop your medications without talking to your doctor! But if you suspect they’re affecting your weight, have an honest conversation about alternatives or additional strategies to help manage any weight-related side effects.
4. The Stress Eating Conundrum
Let’s be real – who hasn’t reached for comfort food after a rough day? I used to think the dangers of stress eating was just about a lack of willpower. Now I know better. Stress releases cortisol, which literally tells your body to hold onto fat, especially around your middle (hello, stubborn belly fat!). If stress and emotions are a big factor in your eating habits, addressing them through stress management techniques or therapy might be crucial for your weight loss journey.
What Also Helps: I’ve started keeping a mood journal with my food diary. It’s eye-opening to see how stress and emotions influence my eating patterns. Sometimes what I really need is a hot bath or a good cry, not that bag of chips!
5. Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
I know, I know. It’s hard to try to get a full night of sleep in this day and age. But,here’s something I wish I’d known years ago: lack of sleep can seriously mess with your weight loss efforts. It’s not just about being too tired to exercise – poor sleep actually messes with your hunger hormones. No wonder I used to crave all the carbs after pulling an all-nighter!
Game Changer: Making sleep a priority has been huge for my weight loss journey. It may seem simple, but I make an active effort to make sure that I am planning for at least eight hours of sleep. Those 8 hours are just as important as my workout time!
The Light At the End of the Tunnel
Here’s why I’m sharing all this – I want you to know you’re not crazy, lazy, or weak. Weight loss IS harder for some of us, and that’s just a scientific fact. It’s why medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have been such game-changers for so many people. They’re not “cheating” – they’re tools that help level the playing field.
But here’s the most important thing I’ve learned: understanding these challenges doesn’t mean giving up. It means being kinder to yourself and maybe adjusting your approach. It means celebrating small victories and finding strategies that work for YOUR body, not someone else’s.
