Why Aren’t I Losing Weight? Reasons Why You Are Exercising But Not Losing Weight

This is a question I get asked all the time “Why aren’t I losing weight? I’ve been exercising regularly, doing all the right things but nothing is happening!” I’d say that this is the number one reason why people fall off the exercise wagon- lack of results. So why is it that some people seem to be doing all the right things but still don’t lose weight? I’ve outlined the five main culprits in order of importance. Point number one is, in my experience, the most common reason why people don’t lose weight and keep it off.*

1. You’re not losing weight because you’re eating too much:

Many people begin an exercise program and the increase in activity can make them hungry. However eating more will just counter balance the calories burned, leading to no weight loss at all. Similarly, I have observed a mindset of “Well I just trained so now I can have that hot dog and beer.” If you are trying to lose weight, sorry that just won’t work!

The Biggest Loser TV show is a fine example. Some weeks contestants lost virtually nothing or even put weight on. These people were exercising up to four hours per day, but if their diet wasn’t right no weight loss would occur. Many might argue that muscle gain must be the reason, but we are talking about extremely overweight people who already had strong muscles (due to their size) and who were predominately doing cardiovascular, not strength activities.

My advice: Diet is the key to weight loss. Commit to one full week of counting the calories of everything you eat (calorie King is a good website). Sounds like a chore but it works and educates you. Observe how much you are eating before you start your training regime, and be sure not to increase this amount. If you get hungry, drink more water or herbal tea.

The best thing you can do is determine their basal or resting metabolism (Click here to determine yours), and then use a heart rate monitor with the calorie option to see how many calories they burnt during their workout (this is how The Biggest Loser determine their daily caloric amount). A really rough guide of daily caloric allowance is 1200-1500 calories per day for women and 2000 – 2400 calories for men. Combine that with regular exercise and weight loss simply has to occur.

I would also like to point out that not eating enough can impact weight loss. However in my experience people who are overweight and not eating enough are often in a short term cycle, finding their optimum caloric intake. What led to them becoming overweight in the first place was not a result of not eating enough.

2. You’re not losing weight because you’re not training hard or long enough:

I love it when people tell me they went to the gym four times this week; they did 2 yoga classes, a swim, and a sauna. So why aren’t they losing weight? This is where the sergeant comes out and cracks his whip! Think back to your last week’s training. On a scale of 1-10 how hard would you rate the sessions? Another way of putting it, if the sessions were less than 45 mins, were you completely maxed out at the end, or could you have kept going?

The main principal of exercise is overload. The body needs to be overloaded in some form, to stimulate change. In fact, the body hates change. Your entire sympathetic nervous system is devoted to keeping you at homeostasis, where everything from your body temperature to metabolism stays the same. So if you want to see some change, guess what, you’ve got to overload.

My advice: Overloading your body is extremely specific for each individual. If you have been very sedentary of late, then a walk for 20mins might be a form of overload. But in less than 2 weeks, you’ve got to think of a new way to overload. The two main ways are increasing the intensity, or increasing the time (or both!). If you are a walker, try jogging for intermittent times, increasing the jogging time each workout from maybe 30sec to start until your can jog 10min straight. If you can’t jog, find some hills, stairs, or double your distance. Notice how quickly the body responds.

Someone came to me who runs 50km per week, but has been putting on weight. I bet lots of my readers would be a shadow their former self if they ran that distance each week, but this person has been running the same distance and speed for years, and their body is used to it. She needs to find a new way of overloading.

I believe that 3 workouts per week should be at 8 out of 10 in intensity. These are often shorter sessions (20-40min) but tough ones. If the thought of pushing yourself to max puts you off, that’s fine too. Then you need to increase the length of your session. It’s your choice, shorter and harder, or longer and steady. Both will overload, which is what we need.

3. You’re not losing weight because you haven’t been consistent

Weight loss takes time. Often it can take years to really shift lifestyle patterns to make a permanent difference. The body works in mysterious ways and if you are glued to the scales, it will just send you crazy. You might lose weight one week, but gain weight the next week. Life is enough of a rollercoaster as it is.

My advice: Weight loss is a shift in one’s personal attitude, a lifestyle change. So pick some other goals within this shift to take the attention off weight loss. Events such as fun runs, Walk-a-thons, social sports, in-house gym competitions, and social groups will be much more inspiring and most importantly fun! After a few months you’ll hop on the scales and be pleasantly surprised. These activities keep you much more consistent and motivated than losing a few pounds each week.

4. You’re not losing weight because you’re not drinking enough water

I don’t need to tell you this, right! It’s so obvious I know, but time and time again I see people mistake hunger for thirst. I see workouts wasted due to dehydration. I see dark circles under eyes, clogged up systems and lethargy. It’s just a habit that needs to be created. It’s one of the easiest, yet most effective ways to lose weight.

My advice: Get out your calculator and punch this in: 30ml for every kilo you weigh (1 ounce for every 2.2lbs you weigh). Add 1 litre (33 ounces) for every hour you exercise. This is a ‘not negotiable.’ And ditch the sugary drinks!

5. You’re not losing weight but your body shape has changed

Do you know I have quite drastically changed the shape of my body three times in my life but my weight has always remained within around 3kg (6.6lbs). Muscle is heavier than fat, so if you gain a lot of muscle that can hide the fat loss on the scales, but this really only applies to leaner people. If you are carrying an extra 6kg (13lb) or more this wont be an issue for you.

My Advice: Use other measurements not just the scales. Clothes and photographs are easy. Also using a tape to measure key areas is really motivating. The important parts are your stomach (belly button line), hips (widest part when you stand front or side on in mirror), and the upper thigh (measure a distance from your knee cap to the point on your upper thigh, so that you remeasure in the same spot). Take notes for accuracy. For example “Measured over pants, Foot on chair, 30cm from knee cap.”

Exercise will change your body shape for the better (in 99% of the cases, bodybuilders are the exception!), so even if the scales don’t drop too much, so long as you look and feel better, who cares!

6. You’re not losing weight because of shifts in hormone levels

Ask any post baby or menopausal woman, and she will attest to the influences hormones have on her body and cravings. The main culprits are the hormones that increase appetite (cortisol, Estrogen, leptin just to name a few) and hormones that reduce one’s metabolism (Thyroxine produced in the thyroid). There is no doubt that a sudden shift in hormone production can have huge effects on weight loss. Sleep also has huge effects on hormone production, so make sure you are getting enough sleep!

My Advice: If you have recently put a lot of weight on for no apparent reason, or your appetite has significantly surged, it is worth speaking to your doctor and having some tests to ensure your hormone function is normal. Thyroid issues are on the rise and can be harmful if not treated properly. Hormonal issues can be overcome and are by no means a deal breaker in weight loss. Living a healthy life, getting enough sleep, eating complex carbs such as fruit and vegetables are all important in regulating hormones. Our hormones shift throughout our life and it is important that we make lifestyle adjustments as we get older.

Have you struggled losing weight? Do any of the above issues affect you? Maybe you found another reason why you didn’t lose weight. I’d love to hear it. Just remember lasting weight loss takes time. Be patient and remember it’s not just about the scales.

* Please note that this article is directed to overweight people trying to lose weight, and does not apply to lean people trying to get even leaner.

November 3, 2011 | Filed Under Burn Fat, Dieting, Exercise

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The Fat Tax. Is it the Answer to Our Obesity Epidemic?

Hands up if you like tax! I didn’t think so. Hands up if you like nanny state reforms? Me neither. So it’s no surprise that people are up in arms about the possibility of a fat tax. But let’s get one thing straight, we are fast facing a ‘globesity’ epidemic. If we don’t start a culture shift soon, our kids and their kids will be the ones who will live shorter, less healthy lives.

The question remains though, is a ‘fat tax’ the right way to go about reducing our ever expanding waist lines?

Denmark lead the way in the world’s first fat tax

Recently, Denmark became the first country in the world to introduce a tax on foods that contain more than 2.3% fat. To put that into shopping speak, that’s butter, milk, cheese, pizza, meat, oil and processed foods.

The aim is to reduce people’s intake of fatty foods, but it’s not to curb obesity. Fewer than 10% of the Danish population are obese, which is quite a bit lower than the 15% European average. The outgoing conservative government in Denmark planned the fat tax as part of a goal to increase the life expectancy of the Danes. Danish research shows that excessive consumption of saturated fats causes about 4% of the nation’s premature deaths with the current average life expectancy of 79 years expected to drop by three years over the next 10 years.

How will the new fat tax affect the cost of food in Denmark?

The new tax will add 16 kroner (around $AUD3.00) per kilo of saturated fats in a product, increasing the price of a burger by around $AUD0.15 and raising the price of a small package of butter by around $AUD0.40. As a result, the Danes began stockpiling tax affected products, filling their freezers in the lead up to this new tax.

Where it all began

Health minister Jakob Axel Nielsen introduced the idea of a fat tax back in 2009, stating that, “Higher fees on sugar, fat and tobacco is an important step on the way toward a higher average life expectancy In Denmark” because “saturated fats can cause cardiovascular disease and cancer.” In March this year the tax was approved by large majority of the parliament.

Will Australia bring in a fat tax?

Chief executive Kate Carnell from the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) says a similar tax would not address our obesity levels. Australia has had a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on processed foods since 2000, yet obesity levels have continued to rise. Taxing dairy products has also been ruled out as the AFGC is encouraging people to have more calcium in their diets rather than less.

In a bid to curb obesity in Australia, the AFGC is calling on involvement from industries, governments and communities to help solve the crisis. One in four Australians are overweight or obese, which is why leading industry bodies, manufacturers and governments are all putting plans in place to help overcome the issue.

Here’s what’s currently being done:

Leading manufacturers have reduced the saturated fat content of cooked and smoked sausages and luncheon meats (excluding salami) to less than 6.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams.
The Victorian government recently spent million on educating the public about nutrition and the importance of exercise.
CHOICE announced it will start naming and shaming foods making misleading health claims.
Australia has reportedly joined with the United States and Canada to call for the United Nations to change their rules around regulating the production and marketing of unhealthy foods.
The Cancer Council is calling for cartoons used in junk food advertising to be banned.
The Australian Medical Association wants to ban the advertising of junk food to children.
Hungry Jack’s recently announced that vegetable options will now accompany its burgers.

Is a Fat Tax the Answer?

No I don’t think it necessarily is going to affect our obesity levels by simply taxing high fat foods. I can only imagine that the increased costs to manufacturers would simply be passed onto consumers. I do, however think that on a cultural level, there needs to be a multi-faceted approach to treating obesity, and this could be one such angle.

In the last 50 years we have managed to halve the number of Australians smoking by taking a multifaceted approach. According to Biggest Loser Trainer Michelle Bridges, we need to be tackling our obesity epidemic in a similar way as we did the Tobacco industry. Maybe introducing a fat tax alone won’t help, but could it be the beginning of this cultural shift?

Do you think that introducing a fat tax would impact our obesity levels?

Read SMH News Review opinion here.

November 3, 2011 | Filed Under Burn Fat, Dieting, Exercise

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Do You Have Adrenal Fatigue?

Do you do these things and think you can get away with them?

Work hard
party hard
stay up late
drink coffee and alcohol

Think again. When we live a fast-paced lifestyle, we rely on the adrenalin in our bodies to keep us going. It can give us an addictive rush and for a while we might actually enjoy being in a constant hectic state. But what about the damage we are doing to our body? As our body struggles to meet the high-pressure demands of a 24-hour day, we run the very real risk of adrenal fatigue.

Are you in an Adrenal Avalanch?

Just like a tiny snowball building intensity into an avalanche, your daily rituals could be the beginnings of your adrenal avalanche. The casualty? Your health!

The warning bells:

• High stress at work leaves you wired at night
• You’re not sleeping well
• You wake up completely exhausted
• You can’t live without coffee, tea, alcohol, coke (either kind!)
• Your stomach is always in a knot, your shoulders are constantly sore.

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is caused by a prolonged use of adrenalin. There’s a three-month period where your body can deal with the heightened adrenalin in your system; it helps you manage the fight or flight response. If you prolong this period, your adrenal system hits fatigue causing the body to run on cortisol.

Cortisol is a hormone that helps us cope with stressful situations. When you’re running on cortisol your muscles tense, fat cells open, sugar is released and anxiety reigns. If that’s not enough, cortisol causes your blood pressure to go up as well as your weight.

Some common indicators of adrenal exhaustion are:

• Feeling tired and unrefreshed after waking in the morning
• Finding it difficult to get going in the morning pre-coffee
• Feeling tired after exercising
• Extreme tiredness after a stressful event has occurred
• Chronic allergies, inflammation or digestive problems
• Illnesses, from low grade throat infections, all the way to chronic fatigue

Recovering from adrenal fatigue

Prolonged stress can be caused by a number of things. It could be from working long hours, being in an unhealthy relationship or even unresolved grief. When you add late nights, coffee, alcohol and partying into the mix, it’s the perfect recipe for burnout. When you reach the burnout stage, adjusting your attitude isn’t enough. You need to force yourself to slow down and cut back on time consuming commitments.

Slow yourself down with these helpful tips:

Start the day with a relaxing ritual whether it’s meditation, yoga, gentle stretching or something else inspiring and calming.
Stick to a healthy eating, exercising and sleeping plan because regular exercise and plenty of rest will increase your natural energy levels.
Don’t over extend yourself. Set boundaries both professionally and personally and learn to say no.
Take a break from technology for a set time every day and put your computer and phone on hold.
Engage your creative side and take up a fun new hobby that will distract you from any day-to-day stresses.
Acupuncture is an amazing way to stop the adrenal avalanche. It takes about 3-5 treatments, and rebalances all your energy systems. Find a practitioner.

November 3, 2011 | Filed Under Burn Fat, Dieting, Exercise

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Healthy Dining Restaurant of the Month: Hooters

You can eat some healthy game-time grub at this fun restaurant.

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Halloween Eats: No Tricks, Just Treats

You can enjoy Halloween — even the candy — if you follow these expert tricks to make the treats less terrifying.

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holistic reasons to be vegetarian

Health is about connecting your body, mind and soul. Along with regular exercise you need a healthy diet.